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Monthly Archives: July 2026

Trailside, in the Grasslands

Wildflower Journal Posted on 2026-07-27 by D. Smith2026-07-08
meadow salsify

There are many hiking routes in the area.    We can hike through the forest on the Interior Plateau.    We can hike up local hills from the valleys and we can hike through grasslands at lower elevations.   Many of the lower elevation hikes go through open forests and open sagebrush grasslands and may climb into ponderosa pine, then Douglas fir forests.    In the open grasslands and lower-elevation open forests, wildflowers and flowering shrubs can be spotted in early summer.    From hikes in Kenna Cartwright Park, the Lac du Bois Grasslands, the open grasslands near Tunkwa Lake, and benchlands above the river valleys are some photos taken along the routes:

mariposa lily (Calchortus macrocarpus), meadow salsify (Tragopodon pratensis), aspen fleabane (Erigeron speciosus), milkvetch (Astralagus sp.), parsnipflowered buckwheat (Eriogonum heracleoides sp.), clustered broomrape (Orobanche fasciculata), wax currant (Ceres cereum), blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata), giant blazingstar (Mentzelia laevicaulis), horsebrush (Tetradymia canescens), and wire lettuce (Stephanomeria laeviculis).

They are shared here in a Google Photos slideshow (click the link to go to the album, or enjoy the images in this embedded album).

As the lower elevation areas heat up and the soils dry, there will be more late-summer species to observe, but we can hike at higher elevations to enjoy high forest and subalpine wildflowers.

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Parsnipflower Buckwheat

Wildflower Journal Posted on 2026-07-21 by D. Smith2026-07-21
buckwheat

Parsnip-flowered buckwheat (Eriogonum heracleoides) is a perennial herb that often grows in clumps in open areas.  Branches diverge from a woody base.  Leaves are usually greyish and woolly in a basal whorl.    Bracts may be present on stems below the inflorescence.  In an umbel shape, many small white-yellow emerge in clusters.   Some will appear reddish – rose as they … Continue reading →

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Posted in Wildflowers | Tagged Eriogonum heracleoides, ok | 2 Replies

Trophy Mountain Nature Hike

Wildflower Journal Posted on 2026-07-16 by D. Smith2026-07-07
Trophy

For the fiftieth consecutive year, I hiked up the Trophy Mountain, enjoying the many faces of the route to the high alpine cirque.    It was a sunny and hot day for this 12.5 km hike. Along the trail through the forest, subalpine glades, seep zones, alpine ridges, and alpine heath there were many plants.    Many photos were taken … Continue reading →

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Posted in Nature Hikes | Tagged alpine wildflowers, Wells Gray Park | 2 Replies

Mount Thynne Nature Hike

Wildflower Journal Posted on 2026-07-10 by D. Smith2026-07-05
jacobs ladder

Near the end of June, on a sunny day, I hiked over the top of Mt. Thynne to enjoy the wildflower display. The mountain is located south of Brookmere and requires driving up a forest service road for 16 km. The track climbs the ridge and continues south through subalpine meadows for 4 km, finishing at communication towers on the … Continue reading →

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Sullivan Hills Nature Hike

Wildflower Journal Posted on 2026-07-04 by D. Smith2026-07-04
columbine

Every year I go up to kayak on Sullivan Lake by going up the Knouff Lake Road.   I paddle the lake, then on the way back, I turn down the Sullivan Valley Road, which is a good gravel road all the way down to Highway 5N.   The upper area is mixed forests with some wet areas, some plantations, and some … Continue reading →

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There will be many days of hiking in 2026 and a number of them will be to destinations chosen specifically for a nature hike.    A calendar or proposed dates is available online at this link – Ramble On Calendar

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