Mt W auto rd hike, 6/13/06

[arghman]

Took the day off with a friend & did about 5-6 miles hiking above 5000' starting from the Auto road. Most plants at that elevation are still in very early stages of bloom; the only one I would recommend getting out there to see soon is the lapland rosebay (Rhododendron lapponicum) which looked like it was in peak bloom, and it doesn't last as long as the diapensia. Otherwise anytime this month should be good at seeing the alpine flora, and there are still several others that bloom in the July-August timeframe.

I checked off 3 new finds in my list of alpine plants (in fact the only one left in the heath family is now dwarf bilberry = Vaccinium caespitosum, which I'm sure I've seen but I have a hard time distinguishing some of those blueberry/bilberry species) and one or two others.

more details & photos here (password in my profile)

 

[Tom Rankin]

... which I'm sure I've seen but I have a hard time distinguishing some of those blueberry/bilberry species) and one or two others.

Gee, I hope I haven't accidentally eaten any rare species!

 

[Double Bow]

Glad to hear that you and "S." got out and were able to find some interesting species. I guess it's true what they say: "you can't keep a good botonist down!"