[Wildflower Bloom in Central and Eastern Oregon: 2011]
Canyon Mountain

Malheur National Forest

June 5, 2011

View south towards the north-facing slopes of Baldy Mountain where there are still several feet of snow on the ground, although the snow depth is much shallower on the side facing the south. 4WD vehicles can drive to the Pine Creek Trailhead on the north side of Baldy Mt., and regular passenger vehicles can approach to within one-quarter to one-half mile without fear of getting stuck in a snow drift.

View west towards the eastern section of the Aldrich Mountains from Canyon Mountain. Photographed on June 5, 2011.
* indicates wildflowers currently in bloom.

The Canyon Mt. Trail Road is now open to the trailhead. Although recently improved, the road currently (as of June 5) has large swales (reminiscent of giant washboards) that are hazardous to low-slung vehicles and make your auto feel like a bucking and careening bronco. Hopefully the county road crew will get up there to blade and smooth out the road. Also keep a watch out for ATVs, 4WD vehicles, and dirt bikes speeding down the road or crossing the road via the numerous trails that criss-cross the route. Although I did not get an opportunity to walk the Canyon Mt. Trail, the first portions of it seem to be snow-free, although as viewed from below, there does still appear to be some significant 1 foot drifts across the trail as it trends to higher elevations. Snow is melting fast here and this should cease to be a problem by mid-June.

Indian's Dream: Aspidotis densa

Western Juniper: Juniperus occidentalis

Ponderosa Pine: Pinus ponderosa var. ponderosa

Douglas Fir: Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii

* Bulbous Bluegrass: Poa bulbosa

* Glacier Lily: Erythronium grandiflorum var. grandiflorum

Jagged Chickweed: Holosteum umbellatum

* Pale Alyssum: Alyssum alyssoides

* Nuttall's Draba: Draba densifolia

* Rough Wallflower: Erysimum capitatum var capitatum

* Alpine Pennycress: Noccaea fendleri ssp. glauca

Western Twin Bladderpod: Physaria occidentalis ssp. occidentalis

Heartleaf Jewelflower: Streptanthus cordatus

Mountain Mahogany: Cercocarpus ledifolius var. ledifolius

* Fennel Cymopteris: Cymopterus terebinthinus var. foeniculaceus

Ballheaded Gilia: Ipomopsis congesta (ssp. ?)

Cockscomb Cryptantha: Cryptantha celosioides (and/or Snake River Cryptanth: Cryptantha spiculifera ?) - The former was observed, but the latter is also found in the area. Both look close enough alike that you would have to look closely at each and every plant to know for certain whether both species are here or not.

Mountain Balm: Monardella odoratissima

* Wavy-leaf Paintbrush: Castilleja applegatei (var. pintetorum ?)

English Plantain: Plantago lanceolata

Shrubby Bedstraw: Galium multiflorum or Serpentine Bedstraw: Galium serpenticum

Yarrow: Achillea millefolium - In bud.

Thistle: Cirsium sp. (native ?)

Showy Rubber Rabbitbrush: Ericameria nauseosa (var. speciosa ?)

Woolly Sunflower: Eriophyllum lanatum var. lanatum - In bud.

Woolly Groundsel: Packera cana

* Common Dandelion: Taraxacum officinale

Animals seen along this route:

Belding Ground Squirrels

Sara's Orange-tip

Ticks

Paul Slichter