Over 50 Wild Flowers Counted in Wet Highwoods Walk
A marmot, several herds or deer and lots of moose sign broke our count of the myriad wildflowers on this perfect weather day. We all agreed it was the perfect day of the year: a slight breeze, in the 60s with blue sky and puffy clouds.
Left at 7 a.m., returned by 3:30 p.m.
The Highwoods are always so green this time of year and filled with flowers. This year, the arrowleaf balsamroot weren't the dominant flower as in the past. It looked as if the latest three days of subfreezing temperatures nipped them in the bud, literally. but he shooting stars, spring beauties, pasque flowers and sugarbowls stood out even thought the flower show was on the light side.
After about five miles in, we came to a stream crossing that we couldn't rock hop across; Josy crossed on a few logs, some a bit rocky while Carol waded in her shoes and Katie walked in bare feet. We had two more easy-to-jump streams and then we were in water and mud the last mile or so.
We happend upon two strange things: wire cages that were tethered into the ground, apparently marking something, but we couldn't figure out what and some tires with reflectors and the middle covered except for a hole in the middle. We wondered if it were for a snow marker or something that had been removed for the summer. Katie sent pictures off to a ranger to identify but as of this writing had not heard back.
All of us handled the 2300 feet of gain and 8.5 miles easily.
Who went: Josy, Carol, Katie
Left at 7 a.m., returned by 3:30 p.m.
The Highwoods are always so green this time of year and filled with flowers. This year, the arrowleaf balsamroot weren't the dominant flower as in the past. It looked as if the latest three days of subfreezing temperatures nipped them in the bud, literally. but he shooting stars, spring beauties, pasque flowers and sugarbowls stood out even thought the flower show was on the light side.
After about five miles in, we came to a stream crossing that we couldn't rock hop across; Josy crossed on a few logs, some a bit rocky while Carol waded in her shoes and Katie walked in bare feet. We had two more easy-to-jump streams and then we were in water and mud the last mile or so.
We happend upon two strange things: wire cages that were tethered into the ground, apparently marking something, but we couldn't figure out what and some tires with reflectors and the middle covered except for a hole in the middle. We wondered if it were for a snow marker or something that had been removed for the summer. Katie sent pictures off to a ranger to identify but as of this writing had not heard back.
All of us handled the 2300 feet of gain and 8.5 miles easily.
Who went: Josy, Carol, Katie
RSS Feed