Perhaps these Subalpine Spirea which grow along its shore right up to the water had something to do with giving Blossom Lake its name.
Subalpine Spirea, Rose Meadowsweet Spiraea splendens
Two inches above the sand and about the same distance from the water, these tiny white violets were in full bloom.
Small White Violet Viola macloskeyi
Along the trail, not far from the trail head, these Pink Wintergreens were blooming in large numbers.
Pink Wintergreen, Pyrola asarifolia
Although they finished blooming at lower elevations over a month ago, the Springbeauties were in bloom along the trail.
Alpine Springbeauty Claytonia megarhiza
Another pretty flower, the Jacob’s Ladder, concluded its blooming season two months ago in the valleys, but was flowering in abundance along the trail near the lake.
Showy Jacob’s Ladder, Polemonium pulcherrimum
The tiny (1/8 inch) blossoms of the Foamflower which are suspended in big groups on its 6-inch stalks do present the look of ocean foam dancing on the sea of green in little patches of the hillside.
One-leaved foamflower, Tiarella unifoliata
Come to think of it, maybe more than the Spirea had an influence on the naming of Blossom Lake.
(Evans Gulch roadless area is only about 8,000 acres and is located in the Coeur d’Alene Mountains of western Montana.)
