[Wildflower Bloom in the Cascade Mountains of Washington: 2005] [Wildflower Bloom in the Cascade Mts. Prior to 2005]

Wildflower Bloom in the Cascade Mts. of Washington

Mt. Adams: Pacific Crest Trail #2000 from Riley Trail #64 to Crystal Lake

September 25, 2005

Crystal Lake with the western slopes of Mt. Adams viewed behind..........September 25, 2005.

Crystal Lake with the western slopes of Mt. Adams viewed behind..........September 25, 2005.

Crystal Lake (east shore): N46 12.416' --- W121 33.850' --- Elevation 6240' --- +/-25'

* indicates the wildflower is currently in bloom.

1. Cascade Parsley Fern: Cryptogramma cascadense - Found on rocky slopes adjacent to Crystal Lake.

2. Subalpine Fir: Abies lasiocarpa -

3. Common Juniper: Juniperus communis var. montana - Found on rocky slopes adjacent to Crystal Lake.

4. Engelmann Spruce: Picea engelmannii -

5. Whitebark Pine: Pinus albicaulis - Uncommon above 6000'.

6. Douglas Fir: Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii -

7. Mountain Hemlock: Tsuga mertensiana -

8. Woodrush: Luzula species -

9. Merten's Rush: Juncus mertensianus - Fairly common.

10. Green False Hellebore: Veratrum viride -

11. Pussypaws: Cistanthe umbellatum var. caudicifera (formerly Spraguea umbellata) - Found just below the Pacific Crest Trail as well as above.

12. Columbia Gorge Rockcress: Arabis furcata var. furcata -

13. Brewer's Mitrewort: Mitella breweri - ?????? Plants with rounded leaves growing in a lava tube on the east side of Pacific Crest Trail.

14. Partridgefoot: Luetkea pectinata - Fairly common in open areas from the first large lake up to the Pacific Crest Trail.

* 15. Fan-leaf Cinquefoil: Potentilla flabellifolia - Moderately common in meadows above 5000'. Several seen in bloom at high elevations.

* 16. Dwarf Bramble: Rubus lasiococcus - Still blooming at higher elevations along the trail.

17. Sitka Mountain Ash: Sorbus sitchensis var. sitchensis - Leaves turning yellow and reddish.

18. Rosy Spirea, Subalpine Spirea: Spiraea splendens var. splendens (formerly S. densiflora) - Fairly common at higher elevations on the trail. It may also be along the lower trail, but these plants are difficult to id from just leaves.

19. Arctic Lupine: Lupinus arcticus ssp. subalpinus - Common.

20. Dwarf Lupine / Low Mt. Lupine: Lupinus sellulus ssp. sellulus var. lobbii -

21. Early Blue Violet: Viola adunca - Very common in meadows along the Pacific Crest Trail.

22. Gray's Lovage: Ligusticum grayii -

23. Pink Heather: Phyllodoce empetriformis -

24. Rainier Blueberry: Vaccinium caespitosum - ???? Common in forest openings below the Pacific Crest Trail. Low growing, with vibrant, deep red foliage.

25. Grouseberry, Whortleberry: Vaccinium scoparium -

* 26. Mountain Bog Gentian, Rainier Pleated Gentian: Gentiana calycosa - A few still in bloom.

27. Spreading Phlox: Phlox diffusa ssp. longistylis -

28. Harsh Paintbrush: Castilleja hispida - ? Lobed leaves.

29. Woodland Beardtongue, Turtleheads: Nothochelone nemorosa -

30. Cliff Penstemon: Penstemon rupicola - Found on rocky slopes adjacent to Crystal Lake.

31. Red Elderberry: Sambucus racemosa ssp. pubens var. arborescens -

32. Broadleaf Arnica: Arnica latifolia -

33. Bitter Fleabane: Erigeron acris ssp. politus - Found on rocky slopes adjacent to Crystal Lake.

34. Subalpine Daisy: Erigeron peregrinus ssp. callianthemus var. callianthemus -

35. Cascade Aster: Eucephalus ledophyllus var. ledophyllus (formerly Aster ledophyllus) -

* 36. White-flowered Hawkweed: Hieracium albiflorum - Fairly common, a few still in bloom.

* 37. Alpine Aster, Tundra Aster: Oreostemma alpigenum var. alpigenum (formerly Aster alpigenus) - Several still in bloom along the Pacific Crest Trail.

The photo above shows a close-up of the Adams Glacier on the northwestern face of Mt. Adams. The North Cleaver upon which the north climb route may be found is on the left horizon. The Pinnacle Glacier may be seen buried in rubble at the base of the steep slopes at right. Some fresh snow may be seen remaining on north-facing slopes at the center of the photo (white streaks to the right of the Adams Glacier)........September 25, 2005.

The photo above shows a close-up of the Adams Glacier on the northwestern face of Mt. Adams. The North Cleaver upon which the north climb route may be found is on the left horizon. The Pinnacle Glacier may be seen buried in rubble at the base of the steep slopes at right. Some fresh snow may be seen remaining on north-facing slopes at the center of the photo (white streaks to the right of the Adams Glacier)........September 25, 2005. Although not visible because of the distance, a herd of about one dozen mountain goats was seen at the time of this photo atop the light gray moraine running horizontally at the lower left. Photographed from the Pacific Crest Trail immediately northeast of Burnt Rock.

Animals Seen along this Route:

Northern Flicker

Harrier

Clark's Nutcrackers - Several seen.

Swainson's Thrush

Golden-crowned Sparrows - Numerous

Red-breasted Nuthatch

12 Mountain Goats (including kids)

Numerous Pikas in boulder fields

Water Boatmen in Crystal Lake

Water Striders in Crystal Lake

Paul Slichter