Around Lodgepole Lake
On a hot summer morning, I drove up to Lodgepole Lake and paddled around the lake twice, then I hiked the Lodgepole Lake Trail. This single track winds through the lodgepole forest around the lake. In open spots and in plantations lupines were blooming and flourishing, even in the heat.
lupines
In the shaded forest where moisture is retained (on a north-facing slope), twinflower (Linnaea borealis) was in bloom with small pink trumpet-shaped flowers. It is a trailing evergreen shrub.
twinflower
All along the trail, bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) was flowering. It spreads by rhizomes and was abundant on the south side of Lodgepole Lake.
bunchberry
In the shade along a small drainage were rein orchids (Platanthera obtusata) with their pale greenish white flowers.
rein orchid
At the east end of the lake in an opens spot were several leafy louseworts (Pedicularis racemosa) in bloom. It is sometimes called sickletop because of the shape of the inflorescence.
leafy lousewort
Along the lakeshore, angelica was in bloom with a yellow velvet beetle (Lepturobosca chrysocoma) busy at work.
angelica
And roses were flowering in open spots throughout the area, many with pollinators active.
yellow velvet beetle on rose
This is the height of flowering season at this altitude so there was many varieties to see, including arnica, milkvetch, starflower, bog orchid, tiger lily, columbine, groundsel, and hawkweed. Click an image for a caption.
