Wildflower Walk on the PCT Towards Pilot Rock

The few… the brave… the frozen. Six hearty souls– Collette, Rich, Kay, Margita, Debra, another import from Elisabeth’s group and myself ventured up into the mists of Mt Ashland yesterday. Let’s just say not all of us were prepared for winter conditions. Is it really snowing?

We made it about a mile from the trailhead to the wide marsh before frozen fingers and wet pants and shoes persuaded us to head back to the warmth of Callahans (dining room not open weekdays) then Caldera. But what a haul! That mile took us about an hour and a half while we happily ID’d and discussed the ID of 37 (that’s right!) species. And, there’s a promise of more to come, such as half a dozen Washington Lillies, Corn lillies and blankets of Jacob’s Ladder will surely welcome us back.

Don’t forget, flowers mentioned but not shown below appear with their common and Latin names on our wonderful Wildflower Resource page managed by the exceptional DanS.

One more thing, a friend sent me this fascinating article about our own Calypso orchid. Behind that deceptively pretty face is a calculating charmer.
The Deceptive Ways of the Calypso Orchid – In Defense of Plants

Hike Leader: Liz

Photos By: Kay, Liz