I can't tell the difference and maybe there isn't, but I call them Mules Ears and they're certainly abundant around the Steamboat Lake Area as seen above on Tuesday. And, in lots of places on hillsides in the Yampa Valley around Steamboat. But that's about it for right now.
I checked out Rabbit Ears Pass and the Dumont Lake area this morning and there was nothing but a few glacier lilies and still some pockets of snow in the trees on north facing slopes. I photographed abundant wildflowers there on July 10 last year, and I'd say that this year it's at least a week late, more likely 2-3 weeks later than the past couple of years.
I haven't been to the Flat Tops but I can see from here that there's still a lot of snow on the mountain faces there. The real bummer is that on Rabbit Ears Pass and most other spots in the mountains here the beatle kill is extensive, so vista shots aren't good unless you like rust colored trees. However, intimate landscapes and closeups will still be good as I think the flowers will be outstanding.
Was in the Telluride area for a couple of days last weekend. Not a whole lot happening there. Spent the night at Alta Lakes. You could see a lot of buds (and even more bugs!!), but there's very little to impact photos right now. Here's the only wildflower related shot I bothered to take up there.
There is more right now---there are many bunches of Columbines along the road to Buffalo Pass, just before and around Dry Lake Campground. More than I've ever seen in that area. Bottom line, any time you come here now through the end of July you're going to find some areas with flowers, but it's better if you know where to go...I'll be checking in.
Rocky has more and more flowers blooming, Golden Pea is almost past but Paintbrush (red)and Western Paintbrush (yellow) are coming out now. Lots of tiny alpines on the tundra, phlox etc.
Just returned from RMNP. Many varieties of wildflowers along the road to Bear Lake. Surprised to see how many trees have died off on the way up and around Bear Lake. If it continues scenics will be hard to compose around the Lake and Hallets peak. Its strange how things change in nature things you take for granted.
Just returned from a backpack to Upper Cataract Lake in the Eagles Nest Wilderness via Surprise Trailhead. At the trailhead, there are lots of lupine and some Ox-eyed daisy. Along the first mile of the trail through the aspen forest there are GOBS of columbine, wild geranium and arrowleaf balsamroot. A few areas of corn lily, fairy trumpet and bluebell are around as well. The columbine were very impressive however. However, be warned, the MOSQUITOES are out of this world RIDICULOUS through this stretch. Once past the aspen forest there were very few wildflowers around aside from marsh marigold in wet areas.
Looks like the columbines are flowering now at the higher elevations. Rocky NP is probably at about peak season for most alpine flowers at the top. Pasque flowers are all past. Paintbrush flowering.
I got around to processing some of my images including some wildflowers from our trip to Upper Cataract Lake in the Eagles Nest Wilderness from this past weekend.
Carpets of Marsh Marigold and Globe Mallow are now available at Shrine Pass; I've been told the Forget-me-nots are peaking very strongly up above treeline, but I can't make it up there until Wednesday to give anyone a first-hand report. Not much early sign of sub-alpine flowers up there yet, so we're pretty much on schedule or perhaps a week behind yet. Lots of moisture up there, so I expect it will be a good year.
RMNP alpine flowers are well and truly out. The pale Columbine that bloom at higher elevations in RMNP are out in full force just above Rainbow Curve. Fall River Road flowers are not much in evidence yet - still a bit of time before the Columbine and Parry Primrose up there apparently.
I just went a ways up the South Boulder Creek Trail in the James Peak WA this morning, and flowers are really good there this year! The area near the trail junction to Forest Lakes is popping with Chiming Bells, and there's a good variety in the meadows near the Moffat Tunnel trailhead.
Independence and Fremont Passes look a wee bit behind schedule this year - not much in evidence except the typical early bloomers.
Where the snow has melted, up to 11,000 feet the flowers are progressing nicely. Golden Banner, Columbines, Shooting Stars, Calypso Orchids, Arnica and yellow Yarrow are among the plants I've seen blooming. But where the snow is lingering in the trees between 11,000 and 12,000 feet the growth is very slow. I haven't been above tree line yet.
In the 10 mile, pretty much the same applies. If the snow melted below treeline, then the flowers are coming along, but if the snow lingered, then everything is running slow. The marsh marigolds are blooming in the boggy areas.
Posted by George Hager on July 10, 2008 at 2:18 PM
In the last couple of days I hit a couple of out of the way spots but they may help you make a guess at the flowers where you are going. West of Lake Granby the columbine are about peak and headed over the hill. It is an average year there. Lots of yellow flowers (sunflower type - but I didn't get their exact license plate number) in the beetle kill trees. Found a few clumps of columbine on top of Ute Pass. I would say it is a normal year or less up there. Very heavy undergrowth in most areas with the flowers associated with that. If you head to the Cataract Lakes area dip yourself in Deet first.
I expect Hamilton Mesa could be very worthwhile right now. It might also be a really good year to get up to the San Pedro Parks or Cruces Basin. Hope someone can make it!
Chicago Creek has a lot of columbine, yellow arnica, wild rose, paintbrush, and just about everything else. And this place is only an hour from Parker. It's peaking right now.
Went up to Clear Lake (San Juans) and there are no flowers at the lake yet. Columbine and other varieties along the slopes.
Posted by Les Barstow on July 13, 2008 at 10:57 PM
Well, my Wednesday hike to Shrine Ridge got postponed until today.
Marsh Marigold is still the dominating flower from the trailhead to the snow pack just below the ridge. Globe Mallow and a small early-blooming DYC accompanied the Marigolds. A profusion of small pale purple Violets - more than I've ever seen in one place before - were visible along the trail, mostly in the shadier spots.
At the lowest elevations, Paintbrush was just beginning to pop; I saw fewer than two dozen Arnica along the entire trail, so there's a long way to go yet. No bog flowers (Death Camas, Bog Orchid, Little Pink Elephants, etc.) were blooming yet; at the very lowest point on the trail, a few flower stalks of LPE and Camas were growing. Monkshood was likewise not yet in bloom.
Along the ridge, Alpine Forget-me-nots are still out, though probably past prime, and Old Man of the Mountains is somewhat prevalent; Clover and Mouse-ears are abundant in the alpine mix. There was only one Paintbrush, and no other subalpine flowers along the ridge near the "regular" spot; a few Lupine were in the very early stages of sending up a flower stalk, but most weren't even close to that point.
There were a number of substantial snow banks near the trail and along the stream; the trail itself is still quite muddy. This morning a light frost covered the lower shady parts of the trail and along the ridge.
Posted by Les Barstow on July 13, 2008 at 11:03 PM
Spent a quick sunset at Mt. Evans on Saturday at the first switchback heading up to the summit (trail access to Mt. Evans Wilderness/Mt. Bierstadt?); LOTS of Old Man of the Mountain sunflower - it's obviously an irruptive year for them. Other alpine flowers are also in abundance up there right now, so it's a good time to take an early morning detour.
Alpine Garden didn't look as good; perhaps being lower it's already past prime, but there's a good patch of Sunflower just across the road from the parking lot, and it's a flat patch of land, so it's a good target.
The haze at both Mt. Evans and Shrine Ridge was severe; for sunset, this was okay, but for sunrise it was pretty horrifying. I hope we can clear the air out a bit before the flowers peak up on Shrine Ridge...
Tried to make it up to Bullion King Lake and the Porphyry Basin (San Juans) on 7/13 but was stopped by one of the several snow fields still covering the road about a mile before the lake. I'm somewhat hobbled right now so I didn't hike to the lake, but I talked with a dirt biker who had gotten up there and he told me the wildflowers were still a ways from blooming. There were plenty of flowers in the fields along the lower section of the road though.
Adding this report from the CB Wildflower Festival thread:
The 25th won't be too late - it might still be a little too early! Last weekend, the only thing blooming was down in the lower elevations around town, up brush creek road, and cement creek. Walrod Gulch cutoff was spectacular - whole mountainside carpeted in Mules Ears, Lupine, Scarlet trumpets, etc. Lower Loop on the west side of town had an indredable display of Columbine in the Aspens.
Green Lake, above Lake Irwin was still froze over and covered with dirt (nasty!). Nothing around lake Irwin, or up on Scarps Ridge. A few flowers around the west side of Kebler, but nothing like they usually are, and you kind of have to hunt for them! There were a few flowers around Snodgrass, not much up Gothic Road. The typically prime areas off of Schofield Pass at higher elevations are still snowed in. Schofield Pass is closed due to snow before Emerald lake, and more snow on the north side of the pass. I'm guessing the flowers in that area won't be showing up till sometime in the first part of August? The water levels are starting to come down, but still high enough that making the creek crossings up Rustlers Gulch and that area are very difficult. The road to Paradise Divide is also still snowed in. But a lot can change in 10 days, so maybe?!
Also heard American Basin by Lake City still had snow, so the flowers there will be really late this year also.
Posted by George Hager on July 18, 2008 at 2:01 PM
Crested Butte area - I was in the area for a few days this week. Flowers on the east side of town on the hills above Brush creek are fair. The sunflower types are going past as have the Lupine, but the next batch of purple flowers are coming on strong. The leaves of the sunflower types have been chewed on severely by bugs. Sorry I can't be more specific on the plant types, but sunflower type plants drive me nuts on the ID. There are a couple of pretty good patches of Lupine up on Keber and lots of the sunflower types. Glacier Lilllies are a bit past but probably still shootable on top Paradise Divide as well as the end of the road above Gothic. Snow stops you before you get to Emerald Lake. Lots of Marsh Marigolds on top the Divide, but no Moss Campion yet. Get in the shade by the pond up there and you will need a transfusion - serious mosquitos. Along the Gothic road there are Columbine, but most are pretty dusty and faded. Towards Gothic the Lupine show up more. Not as many as some years, but still there are pictures to be had. Couldn't find any flowers for a foreground at Lost Lake, but it is still worth a visit. Some of the fields (private land) between old Crested Butte and the ski area are dense with Elephant Ear. If you can get permission to go into that area you could have a ball.
BTW, the road to the top of Paradise Divde is open to the top and down a ways on the north side, but you can't get through to the top of Schofield. At least that is what the tow truck driver and the car he pulled out decided. I wouldn't want that tow bill.
RMNP- Moss Campion is still out on the tundra but it is looking a bit dry. The Columbine are out better than usual in the area above Rainbow Curve and the Silky Phacillia are coming on. Only problem in taking their picture without having your third dimension voided by a car might be tough. At a little lower elevation the Golden Banner seems to be coming on pretty good - late but good.
Arapaho Pass trail and Caribou town site are both bursting with wildflowers. Around 1.5 miles up the AP trail from 4th of July Trailhead is one of the best Columbine displays I've seen in these parts. Also some Glacier Lillies further on along the trail. It seems like all the various flowers decided to bloom at once. It was somewhat bittersweet shooting today due to wind, but the display was incredible!
I just returned from Ouray. The flowers in Yankee Boy Basin were just budding out. Seemed like things on the east side of Hwy 550 were blooming whereas the flowers on the west side were slow. Looks like this week into the next will be spectacular. (I sure do miss the cooler climate. It is 100 degrees and muggy here in Kansas) Happy shooting everyone.
Mount Evans Sunday, 7/20. The impressive alpine sunflower display is on the downside, with many flowers looking ragged. Higher up ~ between 13,500' and 13,800' is best, but won't last long in this heat. The tundra is drying out fast. My wife hiked to Chicago lakes and saw some impressive columbine at peak around the lower lake.
Spent the weekend in Crested Butte. Lots of stuff around but I think it's still a bit early based on the number of buds versus blooms. Gothic road was pretty unimpressive compared to previous years. Best displays I saw were on the Ohio Pass road for sunflower varieties and the Cottonwood Pass road near Stage Stop Meadows for lupines which were EVERYWHERE! Not the variety I'd hoped for but perhaps that will come later. I got pretty well beat up on the boards after stating I might not be able to go till Aug 2 so I changed my plans. For all those who weighed in then, the joke is on me. I should have waited!
Posted by Kalin Wilson on July 21, 2008 at 9:33 PM
Just got back from American Basin, Stony Pass, Yankee Boy Basin this weekend. Overall, my impression is that this weekend is the leading edge of the display. Stony pass had the most density in the typical area just to the west of the pass. But the variety in all of the areas was less than previous years; Maybe it will get better. In YBB the columbine were nice but not as dense and prevalent at previous years. Penstemmon and paintbrush were not a prevalent as previous years. Lots of marsh marigolds and buttercup throughout.
Still there were enough displays to make it worthwhile but I expect it will get better over the next week or two.
Posted by Amy Lindsey on July 22, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Went to Crested Butte Wednesday through Friday and had a lot of success at Gothic. Flowers were the best I've seen in 5 years! The Road to Schofield was closed just below Emerald Lake (snow), but ATVs can get by, as can hikers. If you're brave and want to risk flipping your modified Jeep, give it a try. :)
Irwin Road also has some flowers, but Gothic was by far the best in CB. The black flies were out and about, but not as bad a previous years. Still, bring your jeans and long sleeves and a mosquito hat!! :)
The road to the Irwin lodge is no chained off so you can't drive to the lodge (unless you want to sneak under the chain), but you can hike to it. It was a big disappointment for me, as i really wanted to shoot the whole lake and mountain range from the lodge. Bummer!
Here's a picture from Irwin area by the lodge road.
Posted by Amy Lindsey on July 22, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Gothic Rd.- un retouched. Notice the scratch on my grad ND. Guess it's time for a new one.
Posted by Amy Lindsey on July 22, 2008 at 12:27 PM
here's one from Kebler Pass. Didn't know Lupines came in shades of pink!!
Posted by Amy Lindsey on July 22, 2008 at 12:29 PM
And finally, one from the bottom of the big hill on Ohio Pass. Don't critique my crappy composure- just wanted to show you what was out there. :)
Posted by Amy Lindsey on July 22, 2008 at 12:32 PM
One more thing- there are some Marsh Merigolds on Paradise Basin at the lake, but none to make a pretty foreground at sunset with Cinnamon Mtn. in the background. A good sunrise shot can be taken from the southwest side of the lake, however, as there were several nice groups of flowers.
Posted by Amy Lindsey on July 22, 2008 at 12:38 PM
here's the snow patch on Gothic Rd. south of Emerald Lake. Picture is looking from Emerald Lake toward Gothic. Note the ATV tracks on the right side.
Posted by Bryan Pezman on July 23, 2008 at 1:26 AM
Spent the day today 07-22 at American Basin & Yankee Boy. Overall it appears very early in both spots as previously reported. The larkspur that usually color the foot of Handies Peak on American Basin are just now showing sprouts and it could still be another week before they even bloom IMO. There are some nice strands of lupine, paintbrush & columbine spread throughout the area just beyond the Cinnamon Pass/American Basin fork & onto the American Basin road itself.
Other varieties showing were pesky biting frosty ball thistle (note, never sit on one of those accidentally! Ouch!), bistort, yarrow, daisies, wild onion, bluebells, purple fringe & kings crown.
As for Yankee Boy Basin, it too appears to be really behind this year. The cornstalk has overtaken the area above the twin falls, but there are some great looking columbine and paintbrush to be found as well. The bluebells are having a great year above the falls but overall, its really hard to know if this year will be a banner outing in YBB.
I was up at Mayflower Gulch this last weekend and things were looking pretty good. Although, it looked like it was just at the beginning for most of the flowers, so I imagine that this weekend would be even better. Here's a picture I grabbed on Saturday evening.
The La Platas appear to be at (or very near) peak. Things are very colorful from halfway up the La Plata Canyon road all the way to Kennebec Pass. Wildflowers were everywhere along the hike to Taylor Lake and Indian Trail Ridge was just beautiful...although I only got to spend about 45 minutes up there as frequent storms have been the rule! I haven't yet processed any pics from my outing, but I'll post a couple once I do.
Posted by Bryan Pezman on July 23, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Stan, I was on Imogene this afternoon and ran into a similar problem with damage to some of the columbines. Hopefully the ones that have not sprouted yet were undamaged.
Before the storms hit today, I had a chance to check the alpine tundra on Upper Camp Bird near treeline on Imogene Pass on the Ouray side. The area had some wonderful varieties and were all in good blooms. Columbines, bistort, yarrow, daisies, bluebells, purple fringe & kings crown were all very nice. To me, this area has been the best showing of the YBB area so far.
Beyond the summit of Imogene Pass on the Telluride side, there are a few decent showings of flowers above treeline on Savage Basin and above and near the Tomboy Mine.
Over at Ophir Pass, near the Ophir side of the summit, the usual variety of columbines, paintbrush & bluebells were well behind the last few years. It looks like it could be another week or perhaps longer before its ready.
FYI, Governors Basin has some decent wildflowers halfway up the road. However, I was unable to get much further because the road is still impassable to all 4x4 vehicles due to snow that is still stretched across the road beyond treeline.
Lastly, from what it sounds like, the entire corner of SW Colorado could be seeing some moisture from Hurricane Dolly in the coming days so be ready for some even more unpredictable weather than usual.
Posted by Joseph Smith on July 24, 2008 at 7:18 PM
I can report that the road from Washington Gulch to Paradise Divide via Elkorn is open and free of snow. I took it this morning. Wildflowers were not that plentiful, but the scenics were great. Joe Smith
All:
MonteTrumbull and I are enjoying Indian Ridge in the La Plata's. Our first visit here but I must say flowers are excellent and probably at peak now. As a bonus we have clouds (and rain)!
Mosquito Pass on the Alma side is peak right now. The most Columbines I've seen in years.
The area is just past the first switch back as the road gets steeper and rougher. A 2wd vehicle with decent clearance can get you within a quarter mile.
This picture was made this morning. The Dumont Lake area of Rabbit Ears Pass is looking very good right now and probably will be good through next weekend, a couple of weeks later than past years. Easy to get to, right off Hwy. 40 near the the Rabbit Ears, just 2 1/2 hours from Denver.
Shrine Ridge is nearing peak. Lupines are out but still very fresh, and the rest of the flowers along the ridgeline are in great shape. Lower down, there isn't much Arnica this year, and what's there looks like it has been beaten up by hail. The open meadow before the ridgeline is teaming with Rosy Paintbrush, but the best shots of the Paintbrush don't have a mountain backdrop.
Sunrise this morning was astounding back to the East, but the Sun didn't touch Holy Cross, so I'll be back up before work tomorrow or Tuesday.
From this morning...Lots of Columbines and many other flowers---lupine, paintbrush, etc., around Stillwater Reservoir and Flat Tops Wilderness Area and at lower elevations past Bear Lake and Yampcola Reservoir. Should be great at least through next weekend.
Me thinks it is the year of the columbine. Lower Ice Lake Basin and American Basin had fields of them. The stream crossing just below the ascent to the Ice Lake had the greatest variety of flowers. American has tons of larkspur as well. The weather is sketchy down there, though. Rain and clouds were a constant.
I am in silverton now. American was pretty good! Maybe not as good as last year but plenty of columbine to drop down on. Stony pass has a ton of red/maroon paintbrush.
Just got back from a week of hiking around Telluride and Ouray. The best wildflowers I found were at Hope Lake and Bridal Veil Basin. Bridal Veil was pretty incredable with non-stop flowers all the way up to Blue Lake. Lots of photo oportunities!
Sneffles High Line Basins had some flowers, but nothing really great, pretty sparce.
Bilk Basin hardly had any color at all
Wetterhorn Basin was very nice. It was my first visit, so I don't know if this year is typical or not, but there were definelty some showy displays.
Upper Ice Lake Basin basically had nothing blooming but marsh marigolds when I was there on the 25th. The Lower Basin was pretty around the creek, but the meadow wasn't nearly as pretty as it usually is. It looked like it had been trampled down.
I'm heading to the maroon Bells/Snowmass wilderness next weekend. Anyone know how the flowers are progressing around West Maroon Pass and Buckskin Pass???
Just got a call from Dave R. He was at Yankee Boy yesterday and said it's the worst he's ever seen up there - not worth the drive up. He was up at Stony Pass last night and this morning and said the Columbine and "other" flowers were great. The paintbrush on Stony doesn't sound like it's as good as previous years although they're out - just not carpets of them yet.
Posted by Neil Corman on August 4, 2008 at 1:55 PM
Just got back from a weekend in Marble, and the area in Lead King Basin is at it's peak. If you take the high road and don't get through Crystal you will find some fields. Also on the Lake Geneva trail it is pretty good about 3/4 up the trail.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on August 5, 2008 at 3:31 PM
American Basin on 8-2. Its still holding in there with columbines and larkspur/monkshood and arnica and lots of other stuff.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on August 5, 2008 at 3:34 PM
Lower Ice Lakes Basin is crazy with flowers as high as my shoulders in places. The really tall stuff is larkspur, corn lily and cow parsnip, but there is lots of other interesting stuff blooming.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on August 5, 2008 at 3:34 PM
American basin was still beautiful on 8/8, but past peak and on it's way out. Still lots of flowers though and not at all disappointing.
Cystal river drainage in Maroon Snowmass wilderness was absolutely peaking this weekend. The upper part of the West Maroon Trail was probably the best I've ever seen it. Unfortunately the overcast skys didn't make for many great photos though and it was also extremely crowded with people. I guess word got out about how incredable it was! If the sun decides to come out, it's worth a visit this week.
Posted by Lee Robinson on August 16, 2008 at 7:26 PM
Last Monday in the Albion Basin near Alta, Utah. These alpine sunflowers were still thriving, and there were many indian paintbrush in full bloom, plus a few new Wasatch beardstongue blossoms about, but many are now past their prime.
Just got back yesterday from the South San Juans, and there are still some flowers to be had. It's not quite Yankee Boy at the peak, but there was a lot still blooming: bluebells, harebells, gentian, paintbrush, some columbine, asters, lots of yellow and white things. Summer's not done yet.
Discussion
58 repliesTo keep this on-topic (if everyone agrees), we should try to limit the amount of discussion in this thread and only post updates, reports, and photos.
Let’s see some flowers!
Guy
I checked out Rabbit Ears Pass and the Dumont Lake area this morning and there was nothing but a few glacier lilies and still some pockets of snow in the trees on north facing slopes. I photographed abundant wildflowers there on July 10 last year, and I'd say that this year it's at least a week late, more likely 2-3 weeks later than the past couple of years.
I haven't been to the Flat Tops but I can see from here that there's still a lot of snow on the mountain faces there. The real bummer is that on Rabbit Ears Pass and most other spots in the mountains here the beatle kill is extensive, so vista shots aren't good unless you like rust colored trees. However, intimate landscapes and closeups will still be good as I think the flowers will be outstanding.
Rod
http://www.pbase.com/gschmickle/image/99558758
I did find a nice lupine field on the Wilson Mesa, but that was about it.
http://www.pbase.com/gschmickle/image/99558857
I returned via Ophir Pass and nothing has bloomed up there either (as expected).
http://www.billmeikle.com/content/blogcategory/5/6/
The Flickr set can be viewed at: Eagles Nest Wilderness Set
RMNP alpine flowers are well and truly out. The pale Columbine that bloom at higher elevations in RMNP are out in full force just above Rainbow Curve. Fall River Road flowers are not much in evidence yet - still a bit of time before the Columbine and Parry Primrose up there apparently.
I just went a ways up the South Boulder Creek Trail in the James Peak WA this morning, and flowers are really good there this year! The area near the trail junction to Forest Lakes is popping with Chiming Bells, and there's a good variety in the meadows near the Moffat Tunnel trailhead.
Independence and Fremont Passes look a wee bit behind schedule this year - not much in evidence except the typical early bloomers.
I didn't stop by American Basin - but didn't see too much along the road on that side of the pass yet.
Where the snow has melted, up to 11,000 feet the flowers are progressing nicely. Golden Banner, Columbines, Shooting Stars, Calypso Orchids, Arnica and yellow Yarrow are among the plants I've seen blooming. But where the snow is lingering in the trees between 11,000 and 12,000 feet the growth is very slow. I haven't been above tree line yet.
In the 10 mile, pretty much the same applies. If the snow melted below treeline, then the flowers are coming along, but if the snow lingered, then everything is running slow. The marsh marigolds are blooming in the boggy areas.
http://frishmanphoto.smugmug.com/photos/329494449_7nYc4-L.jpg
I expect Hamilton Mesa could be very worthwhile right now. It might also be a really good year to get up to the San Pedro Parks or Cruces Basin. Hope someone can make it!
Looks like at least two more weeks.
LaPlata Canyon just west of Durango is open to Kennebec Pass with lots of beautiful flowers everywhere.
Marsh Marigold is still the dominating flower from the trailhead to the snow pack just below the ridge. Globe Mallow and a small early-blooming DYC accompanied the Marigolds. A profusion of small pale purple Violets - more than I've ever seen in one place before - were visible along the trail, mostly in the shadier spots.
At the lowest elevations, Paintbrush was just beginning to pop; I saw fewer than two dozen Arnica along the entire trail, so there's a long way to go yet. No bog flowers (Death Camas, Bog Orchid, Little Pink Elephants, etc.) were blooming yet; at the very lowest point on the trail, a few flower stalks of LPE and Camas were growing. Monkshood was likewise not yet in bloom.
Along the ridge, Alpine Forget-me-nots are still out, though probably past prime, and Old Man of the Mountains is somewhat prevalent; Clover and Mouse-ears are abundant in the alpine mix. There was only one Paintbrush, and no other subalpine flowers along the ridge near the "regular" spot; a few Lupine were in the very early stages of sending up a flower stalk, but most weren't even close to that point.
There were a number of substantial snow banks near the trail and along the stream; the trail itself is still quite muddy. This morning a light frost covered the lower shady parts of the trail and along the ridge.
Alpine Garden didn't look as good; perhaps being lower it's already past prime, but there's a good patch of Sunflower just across the road from the parking lot, and it's a flat patch of land, so it's a good target.
The haze at both Mt. Evans and Shrine Ridge was severe; for sunset, this was okay, but for sunrise it was pretty horrifying. I hope we can clear the air out a bit before the flowers peak up on Shrine Ridge...
BTW, the road to the top of Paradise Divde is open to the top and down a ways on the north side, but you can't get through to the top of Schofield. At least that is what the tow truck driver and the car he pulled out decided. I wouldn't want that tow bill.
RMNP- Moss Campion is still out on the tundra but it is looking a bit dry. The Columbine are out better than usual in the area above Rainbow Curve and the Silky Phacillia are coming on. Only problem in taking their picture without having your third dimension voided by a car might be tough. At a little lower elevation the Golden Banner seems to be coming on pretty good - late but good.
Still there were enough displays to make it worthwhile but I expect it will get better over the next week or two.
Irwin Road also has some flowers, but Gothic was by far the best in CB. The black flies were out and about, but not as bad a previous years. Still, bring your jeans and long sleeves and a mosquito hat!! :)
The road to the Irwin lodge is no chained off so you can't drive to the lodge (unless you want to sneak under the chain), but you can hike to it. It was a big disappointment for me, as i really wanted to shoot the whole lake and mountain range from the lodge. Bummer!
Here's a picture from Irwin area by the lodge road.
Other varieties showing were pesky biting frosty ball thistle (note, never sit on one of those accidentally! Ouch!), bistort, yarrow, daisies, wild onion, bluebells, purple fringe & kings crown.
As for Yankee Boy Basin, it too appears to be really behind this year. The cornstalk has overtaken the area above the twin falls, but there are some great looking columbine and paintbrush to be found as well. The bluebells are having a great year above the falls but overall, its really hard to know if this year will be a banner outing in YBB.
Here's a quick shot from today at American Basin.
http://www.pezpix.com/photos/337105305_FJv2S-L-1.jpg
http://photo.rwentland.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/Mayflower-6.jpg
Before the storms hit today, I had a chance to check the alpine tundra on Upper Camp Bird near treeline on Imogene Pass on the Ouray side. The area had some wonderful varieties and were all in good blooms. Columbines, bistort, yarrow, daisies, bluebells, purple fringe & kings crown were all very nice. To me, this area has been the best showing of the YBB area so far.
Beyond the summit of Imogene Pass on the Telluride side, there are a few decent showings of flowers above treeline on Savage Basin and above and near the Tomboy Mine.
Over at Ophir Pass, near the Ophir side of the summit, the usual variety of columbines, paintbrush & bluebells were well behind the last few years. It looks like it could be another week or perhaps longer before its ready.
FYI, Governors Basin has some decent wildflowers halfway up the road. However, I was unable to get much further because the road is still impassable to all 4x4 vehicles due to snow that is still stretched across the road beyond treeline.
Lastly, from what it sounds like, the entire corner of SW Colorado could be seeing some moisture from Hurricane Dolly in the coming days so be ready for some even more unpredictable weather than usual.
MonteTrumbull and I are enjoying Indian Ridge in the La Plata's. Our first visit here but I must say flowers are excellent and probably at peak now. As a bonus we have clouds (and rain)!
Jim
The area is just past the first switch back as the road gets steeper and rougher. A 2wd vehicle with decent clearance can get you within a quarter mile.
Rod
Sunrise this morning was astounding back to the East, but the Sun didn't touch Holy Cross, so I'll be back up before work tomorrow or Tuesday.
Oh - and I found a Slime Mold.
Rod
http://www.billmeikle.com/content/blogcategory/5/6/
Sneffles High Line Basins had some flowers, but nothing really great, pretty sparce.
Bilk Basin hardly had any color at all
Wetterhorn Basin was very nice. It was my first visit, so I don't know if this year is typical or not, but there were definelty some showy displays.
Upper Ice Lake Basin basically had nothing blooming but marsh marigolds when I was there on the 25th. The Lower Basin was pretty around the creek, but the meadow wasn't nearly as pretty as it usually is. It looked like it had been trampled down.
I'm heading to the maroon Bells/Snowmass wilderness next weekend. Anyone know how the flowers are progressing around West Maroon Pass and Buckskin Pass???
Cystal river drainage in Maroon Snowmass wilderness was absolutely peaking this weekend. The upper part of the West Maroon Trail was probably the best I've ever seen it. Unfortunately the overcast skys didn't make for many great photos though and it was also extremely crowded with people. I guess word got out about how incredable it was! If the sun decides to come out, it's worth a visit this week.
http://frishmanphoto.smugmug.com/photos/357066738_C3jKC-XL.jpg