On the Zupjok Peak Trail
We traveled to the Coquihalla Summit area to hike to the top of one of the steep peaks, away from the smoky Interior. We had blue skies and hot temperatures on the 5 hour hike. Along the way, I stopped to take a few photos.
On the lower trail goat’s-beard (Acuncus dioicus sp.) stood almost 2 m high next to the trail. The spiky inflorescences were heavy and had started to droop.
goatsbeard
Next to streams running down the slopes were some pink monkey-flowers (Mimulus lewisii). The stigmas will retract if touched. The flower is softly hairy on stems, leaves, and flowers.
pink monkeyflower
Next to streams were some twisted stalk (Streptopus amplexifolius). Flowers hang, bell-like, from kinked slender stalks.
twisted stalk
Higher on the mountain white-flowered rhododendrum was in bloom with its soft leaves and white cup-shaped flowers. We are happy to see it, but regret trying to bushwhack through it on previous explorations.
white mountain rhododendron
Pink mountain heather (Phyllodoce empetriformis) was abundant on the upper slopes, grazing sub-alpine meadows. It is a low-growing evergreen shrub, spending many months under the snow each year.
Pink Mountainheath (Phyllodoce empetriformis)
Less abundant, but always welcome was white mountain-heather (Cassiope mertensiana). They were taller-growing than the pink heathers, but formed large mats on the slopes.
Western Moss-Heather (Cassiope mertensiana)
In the forest, in shady areas was a low-growing shrub, five-leaved bramble (Rubus pedatus). White flowers on slender stems were featured above raspberry-like leaves.
Five-leaf Dwarf Bramble (Rubus pedatus )
A flea on fly-bane?
fleabane
There were many other flowers on the route to the top of the mountain and back, a few of which are featured here. Click an image for a larger view and a caption.
Usually I get into the alpine every many times each summer, but in a year of heat waves and forest fires, it may only be a handful of times this year.