On the Four Brothers Trail

We hiked the Heather Trail to the Four Brothers in Manning Park and took many photographs along the way, a few of which are shared here.

The morning sign was shining through anemone seedheads (towheads) as we hiked below a west facing slope.

anemone

We were surprised to find broad-leaved willowherb in the alpine zone since it was quite dry on the south-facing slopes. These plants were just over the north edge where a snowdrift must linger into late summer.

willowherb (epilobium latifolium)

This was a bit of a precarious location to take photographs with sheer drops just a few feet away on loose-material gravelly slopes. We wanted the images so we carefully worked our way down and back.

willowherb (epilobium latifolium)

There were several types of arnicas along the trail and many opportunities for photos.

arnica

On the barren open slopes at 7400 feet, stonecrop was in flower.

sedum

The summit ridge was covered in mats of white mountain avens. The flowerheads were now just spirals of seeds, ready for wind dispersal.

avens

We saw pale agoseris in bloom and a number of spherical seedheads along the trail.

agoseris

Where streams trickled through the alpine meadows bog orchids grew in the seep zones, with white fragrant flowers.

bog orchid

There were many, many wildflowers along the way and only a few are shared here. The star of the day, though, was willowherb, a river beauty on the scree.