Estekwalan Mountain cannot be hiked this summer because of wildfires, but we have hiked to the top of the mountain many times.    On the last time, we stopped to enjoy wildflowers along the route.

In July, we can count on spotting pink wintergreen (Pyrolia asarifolia) on damp forested slopes.   the pinkish cup-shaped downward-facing flowers are at the end of branching stems above the leaf base.    The basal leaves resemble wild ginger.    It is a perennial that grows from rhizomes.

In the same area we usually spot the white – yellowish flowers of green wintergreen (Pyrolia chlorantha).   It has fewer leaves and shorter stems than the pink wintergreen.

We were pleased to find a number of sickletop lousewort (Pedicularis racemosa), mostly growing in open spots at mid-elevations.    These are perennials that grow from fibrous roots.    The distinctive flowers have a curving upper lip that is white – yellow in color.

We see various fleabanes/daisies/asters (Erigeron speciosus sp.) all summer and fall.   They always seem to be vigorous and colorful.

Spotted coralroot (Corallorhiza maculata ssp.) is a saprophytic perennial with bright stems and pink-red spots on the lower petals of small irregular flowers.

On the open ridges near the top of the rocky cliffs were a number of yellow agoseris (Agoseris glauca sp.).  The terminal yellow flowers have composite heads and ray flowers with toothed ends.

We have hiked the mountain many times and we always veer off-trail to a large mat of sulphur buckwheat (Erigonum umbellatum sp.).   Clusters of tiny cup-shaped flowers

On the clifftops spotted saxifrage (Saxifraga bronchilis) was also in bloom.  White flowers with colorful spots are found at the end of branched stems above dense mats.   The overlapping leaves are dense and leathery, providing protection for roots in exposed locations on the open upper slopes.

On the hike back down, we veer off to an area that has larch trees (Larix sp.) .    In July they were still green.   We have hiked the trail in the fall too and enjoy the golden colors.

The last part of the hike has a few roadside wildflowers, including sulphur cinquefoil (Potentilla recta).   The terminal flowers are showy, with 5 yellowish petals.

There were more wildlflowers along that trail – self-heal, tiger lilies, sedum, orange agoseris, white mountain rhododenron, cut-leaf anemone (in fruit), Parry’s campion, yellow monkeyflower, linaria,  violas, and more.    July is the prime month for wildflowers in the mountains.