From the trailhead to Trophy Mountain to the subalpine meadows is a 2 km trail that winds through the forest.   A few wildflowers were spotted in sunny spots beside the trail.

Two mountain ladyslipper plants were in flower side by side above the trail.    I always hope to spot one in bloom, and it is always a delightful surprise to find one.

mountain ladyslipper (cypripedium montanum)

Near the trailhead is a wet area and I saw many fringed grass of parnassus flowers across a hillside.

fringed grass of parnassus (parnassia fimbriata)

Some hellebore stalks with long tassels were standing in the sun in a glade, with their feet in damp meadows.

hellebore (veratrum veride)

There were small yellow flowers forming at the ends of the stems.

hellebore flowers (veratrum viride)

Almost all of the trees in the forest had witch’s hair lichen on the lower branches, but we notice it more when the sun shines through the pendent yellow-green hairs.

witch’s hair lichen (alectoria sarmentosa)

We will be back on the trail again in 2021….