Based on Brenden's reports on American Basin, in which he described flower conditions with a string of exclamation points, I headed down there. All I can say is, Brenden, I hope someday you see American Basin when it's truly worthy of all those exclamation points. It looks pretty good in spots right now, but I was surprised at the near lack of flowers towards the end of the road, and a virtual shutout of decent Indian paintbrush. Don't get me wrong, it's worth a trip down there, but if you ever get to see it when it is deserving of all those !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, your head's gonna asplode.
There are some places where the flowers are outstanding, like Stony Pass and Placer Gulch (the latter is a turnoff from California Gulch near Animas Forks). The attached pic is Stony. I'm heading back down that way Sunday afternoon to dip into the Weminuche for a few days. Flowers sure ain't happening to any degree in the Sawatch, so the San Juans are the place to be.
...and lots of yellow stuff (I think this is arnica), but I've been to the Handies Peak TH area when you couldn't take a step without fear of crushing a bunch of columbine and red Indian paintbrush. This time there was a lot of white mountain cress along the creek, and some larkspur, but not the vast displays I've seen in the past.
Pretty amazing carpet of color!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kind of makes up for staring at a computer screen for a month. I'd like to see #1 about 30X45". And I believe the yellow flowers are subalpine arnica - this is by far the best display I've seen.
I've never managed to make it down that way during wildflower season. Based on these, I'd have been tempted to give the area a !!!!!!!!!!!, too. They're all impressive shots, and that last shot is killer!
Ditto. I was at American Basin on Friday. Disappointing (although the scenery was stunning as always). The flowers were nice in pockets. I would certainly wait until next weekend. A lot of unopened buds. There was even a lot of cress and larkspur waiting to open up. Beyond the traihead, along the stream, there was virtually nothing. Strangely enough, the field of arnica was not in good shape.
Wow, well don't I feel like the Colorado Wildflower Rookie!!!! Well considering that is the most I have ever scene in one place, this is my first time shooting wildflower, I am sorry if I mislead you guys. I was amazed, but now I can't wait to see what it REALLY will look like. So do you guys think this coming weekend will be good?
Man, if American Basin isn't up to par you guys are spoiled! I was there Thurs/Friday and Sunday/Mon and the place is full of flowers from bottom to top. If you can't find something to shoot here you need to try a bit harder. There are tons of larkspur, columbine, plentiful paintbrush, arnica, sneezeweed, etc. As Jesse has said, this area still has lots of unopened buds too, so it should only get better, but the columbine are almost done blooming. I was rained out each night, so lots of moisture to keep things going.
Discussion
15 repliesThere are some places where the flowers are outstanding, like Stony Pass and Placer Gulch (the latter is a turnoff from California Gulch near Animas Forks). The attached pic is Stony. I'm heading back down that way Sunday afternoon to dip into the Weminuche for a few days. Flowers sure ain't happening to any degree in the Sawatch, so the San Juans are the place to be.
Gorgeous! I've never seen a profusion of mountain wildflowers in person, so I'll take all of these you've got.
I love the arnica shot Todd!
Craig