Silverleaf phacelia (Phacelia hastata) is a highly variable perennial commonly found on rocky slopes. From the taproot, a branched woody base will have several silver-haired stems. Some stems will be prostate and some will be more erect. Elliptical-shaped veined leaves … Continue reading →
On a fine fall day we drove down to the Coquihalla Summit area, then took the Falls Lake Road to the trailhead for Zoa Peak. We hiked the 10 km up and back route in sunny conditions. After a summer … Continue reading →
While on Denman Island we took the ferry across to Hornby Island, then we hiked Helliwell Provincial Park. The route was through the forest and out to the rocky headland at St. John’s Point, then along the open seabluffs back … Continue reading →
We hiked the trails on Mt. Embleton and enjoyed the forest, the fall colors, the views, and the plants we saw along the way. We stopped to take some photos in wet areas, on open ridges, and in the forest. … Continue reading →
At the end of September I hiked the trails in Monck Provincial Park, on the slopes above Nicola Lake. After a summer of drought, flowering plants were next to water, or were well-established shrubs or perennials flowering in season. A … Continue reading →
On a day near the Fall Equinox I hiked into the hills above Kamloops Lake, starting from the end of Abbey Road. A summer of drought had sent most flowering plants to fruit and many past that stage. Still in … Continue reading →
On a September morning I hiked on the Stake Lake Trails. After weeks of drought conditions, there were few wildflowers in bloom, except for one lupine and the arrival of eyebright, abundant on the grassy trails. Spotted on this hike … Continue reading →
In the first week of September I hiked a loop route around Leighton Lake, including a side route to the Bluff Lookout, and the northern shoreline of Tunkwa Lake. Along the way I stopped to observe wildflowers and wildfruits. Shared … Continue reading →
On a grey, windy, and smoky day, I drove out to Campbell Lake. The lake had faced winterkill so there were no campers or fishermen. With no fish in the lake, there were no pelicans either. There were lots of … Continue reading →
On a grey September day I hiked through Peterson Creek, then went steeply up to the top of Tower Hill. On the way back down, I looped to the east side and wound my way back down to the Park … Continue reading →
Drought conditions are obvious when we hike on the western side of Kenna Cartwright Park. Wildflowers and some shrubs have withered or have faded and gone to seed. A few late season wildflowers and shrubs are still in flower or … Continue reading →
By mid-August many of the wildflowers were gone from open slopes and exposed areas, but there were still a few in sheltered spots and seep zones. Shared here are asters, grass of parnassus (Parnassia fimbriata), arnica, hellebore (Veratrum viride), pearly … Continue reading →
