On Mara and Wheeler Mountain

We hiked over Mara Mountain, then down the backside into Pruden Pass, continuing north up Wheeler Mountain, winding east to the Wheeler South Bluffs, then dropped down to the east end of Pruden Pass, a 5 hour outing. Along the way we passed through grasslands, douglas fir forests, north-aspect forest, rocky south-facing outcrops, and back to the lower grasslands.

Field chickweed (cerastium arvense) was abundant in the grasslands above the sagebrush zone. Notched semi-transparent white petals make identification easier.

Higher up in open glades in the douglas fir forests were patches of thread-leaved sandwort (arenaria capillaris). Five white petals at the end of stems form a flat (planar) shape, making focus relatively simple. This is a favorite at this altitude and we look forward to seeing alpine sandwort on hikes into subalpine and alpine zones in summer.

We found lots of Okanogan fameflower on open, exposed rocky areas on ridges and outcrops on both Mount Mara and Wheeler Mountain. It was budding and not yet in flower. We have successfully transplanted it in our rockeries in Kamloops.

Our first seasonal sighting of yellow agoseris (glauca sp.) was photographed on a sheltered glade on the north side of the Wheeler Bluffs.

Desert yellow fleabane (erigeron linearis) is also called linear-leaved daisy. Bright yellow composite flower heads rise above bare patches in dry areas.

In the forest on Wheeler Mountain I spotted Dog Slick Slime Mold (mucilago crustacea).

In a sheltered north-aspect area some anemones were still in bloom.

We continue to hike into hard-to-get-to places in late spring and summer and as we hike, we watch for wildflowers and whatever flora and fauna we find along the trails and routes in the Interior of BC.

Some upcoming explorations include: