Clay Lake Nature Hike
On a hot summer day I got an early start. The route was on the southern border of McQueen Lake to the Grasslands Community Trail, then back along Clay Lake and up through a forested route to the Lac du Bois Grasslands Conservancy. There were many stops along the way to enjoy nature’s offerings.
All photos by the author from that day. Click an image for a lightbox view and a caption/ID.
Featured here are wildflowers from the open forest and glades – arnica (Arnica cordifolia), agoseris (Agoseris gluaca sp.), paintbrush (Castilleja miniatia) , and cinquefoil (Poentilla recta) .
Much of the hike was through the upper grasslands,an unique natural ecosystem. Featured here is brown-eyed Susan (Gaillardia aristata), scabious (Knautia arvensis), buckwheat (Eriogonum sp.), and sticky geranium (Geranium viscosissimum).
This route is a rewarding one in all four seasons, so we will be back to hike or snowshoe the area in the fall and/or winter.