I was heading out with my kayak to find a lake to paddle, but strong gusty winds suggested I find a smaller protected area, so I opted for Stake Lake.   I kayaked once around the lake and decided on a two part outing, a paddle, followed by a hike.  I did a loop on the Stake Lake Trails and saw a few wildflowers along the way.   Lupines were abundant on every trail.

In open areas were a few blooming starworts, but damaged by cold rain/hail from the night before.

Also abundant on every trail were bunchberry flowers (cornus canadensis).   They tend to get brown around the edges as they age, but start with white petals with some green areas.

Some black twinberry shrubs had a few flowers (lonicera involucrata) in wet areas.

Next to a large marsh some green bog orchids (platanthera hyperborea sp.) were just starting to bloom.

On another shore of the marsh were star-flowered false solomon’s seal with their delicate flowers damaged by the cold rain/hail.

Red Paintbrush was flowering in open spots in clusters, especially in areas that had been logged.

Another great day paddling and hiking in the high country…