Wildflower Bloom in Mt. Adams Country: Island Springs Trail #66 and the Ridge of Wonders up to Little Mt. Adams.......July 16, 2005.

The Island Springs Trail begins at the north side of Bench Lake in the Tract D portion of the Yakama Nation. The trail quickly descends to Hellroaring Creek with a wood foot bridge across the creek. A fairly large wet meadow may be found on the northern side of the the creek, through which the trail winds. Search the interface between the trees along the creek and meadows for interesting plants, then meander the meadows for a different selection of plants. The upland parts of the meadow where the conifer slopes meet the meadow offer a third habitat. Some of the creeks meandering through the meadow are lined with Lewis' monkeyflower and monkshood.

The trail soon ascends the ridge just east of Little Mt. Adams, climbing through dry meadows with numerous quaking aspen, some of large aspen. About 100 meters past Hellroaring Creek, the intersection with the Hellroaring Creek Trail #10 is reached. Trail #10 veers to the right (east) and follows the north bank of Hellroaring Creek before crossing it and returning to the outlet of Bench Lake on its northeastern shore.

Continuing up the Island Springs Trail, one eventually enters open forest about where the trail crosses Island Springs Creek, which seems to run all summer long, although as a trickle. The trail continues to climb gently up the ridge, passing a second wet area. Beyond this point, the trail begins to fade out, and some clambering through brush on a steep sideslope must be undertaken before regaining the trail. Stop to look at the old growth trees in this section of the trail, some of which are very wide diameter. About one mile from Hellroaring Creek, the trail finally reaches the crest of the ridge which is a good picnic spot, or spot to turn around. Unfortunately, this trail offers no views of Mt. Adams, which is hidden behind timber as well as Little Mt. Adams. One can turn left, and hike uphill (partly on trail, partly via heavy bush-whacking) to reach Little Mt. Adams which offers better views of the area. Be aware however, that you should take plenty of water and lunch as this is an all day trek, and potentially could lead one to get lost! One should also refrain from climbing or descending the ridge, straight down, or off the trail, as the slopes are very steep (with a few cliffs) and numerous stands of dense brush, which makes navigation and footing difficult.

GPS coordinates for the Island Springs Trailhead are:

N46 09.077' --- W121 24.052' --- 4910' --- +/-30'

Coordinates for the crest of the Island Springs Trail are:

N46 10.861' --- W121 23.367' --- 4982' --- +/-200'

* 4. Pussypaws: Cistanthe umbellata var. caudicifera (formerly Spraguea umbellata) -

7. Alpine Knotweed, Pokeweed: Aconogonon phytolaccifolium (formerly Polygonum phytolaccaefolium) -

* 8. Newberry's Knotweed: Aconogonon davisiae (formerly Polygonum newberryi) -

* 12. Sticky Cinquefoil: Potentilla glandulosa ssp. glabrata - Found in dry open forest high on the trail. Plants appear largely non-glandular. Branches of inflorescence sharply ascending and grouped fairly close together.

* 22. Orange Agoseris: Agoseris aurantiaca - Both orange- and pink-flowered forms.

* 3. Newberry's Knotweed:Aconogonon davisiae (formerly Polygonum newberryi) -

* 8. Lemmon's Rockcress: Arabis lemmonii - Spreading fruits, flowers lavender.

* 11. Shrubby Cinquefoil: Dasiphora floribunda (formerly Potentilla fruticosa) -

* 17. Alpine Collomia: Collomia larsenii (formerly C. debilis var. larsenii) -

* 22. Low Jacob's Ladder: Polemonium pulcherrimum ssp. pulcherrimum - Found primarily under the low-growing Pinus albicaulis near Little Mt. Adams.

* 29. Pale Agoseris: Agoseris glauca var. monticola - Small clusters of basal leaves only, with only one plant seen in bud.

* 32. Smallhead Arnica: Arnica gracilis (formerly A. latifolia var. gracilis) -

* 33. Alpine Aster: Oreostemma alpigenum var. alpigenum (formerly Aster alpigenus var. alpigenus) -

Wildflower Bloom in the Cascade Mts. of Washington

Mt. Adams: Yakama Reservation: Island Springs Trail #66 & Ridge of Wonders up to Little Mt. Adams

July 16, 2005