Wildflowers blooming in between snows

A few more species of wildflowers have begun to bloom here now despite unseasonably cool weather and a series of weather fronts that have been passing through. There were a few brief periods of sun today before the next weather front is due to arrive tomorrow, bringing up to 8 inches of snow to the higher country especially along the Continental Divide, and I was able to get a few pictures.

Yellow Bell ~ Fritillaria pudica

The species name pudica means “bashful” because it always faces downward. I suspect that its position shelters the pollen from early rains and snows or perhaps because it has a relationship with a special pollonator that finds that convenient.

Shooting Star ~ Dodecatheon pulchellum

I find it interesting that its genus name is from the Greek dodeka (twelve) and theos (God) and is considered to mean “the plant protected by twelve gods”.

Western White Trillium, Pacific Trillium ~ Trillium Ovatum

These have just begun to bud at the Munson Creek trail head.

Dandelion

Despite their being usually considered as a weed, I still find the blossoms very pretty.

Aging beautifully

The blossoms of the Trillium ovatum (which first bloom in white) turn to pink and then purple as they age.

Trilliums and Glacier Lilies

A little early this year!

Western White Trillium ~ Trillium Ovatum

A little of the Munson Creek trail (USFS Tr 372)

Today I hiked the first couple of miles of the Munson Creek trail (from about 2,400 ft elevation to about 3,400 ft elevation) to see how the winter treated it. It was in very good condition, with a sprinkling of wildflowers all along, but only of some of the early blooming species were blooming. It is a steep and rather rough trail that is well worth hiking later in the summer when the valley is hot and the trail is cool and when there are dozens of species of wildflowers in bloom (and I will return later to see them). Here are a few photos of the trail and the flower species now in bloom along that stretch.

Arrowleaf Balsamroot ~ Balsamorhiza sagittata

Oblongleaf Bluebells, Sagebrush Bluebells ~ Mertensia oblongifolia

Hooker’s Fairy Bells ~ Disporum hookeri

Blue Clematis ~ Clematis occidentalis

Yellow Glacier Lily, Erythronium grandiflorum

Western White Trillium ~ Trillium Ovatum

Any day is a good day if there’s a Trillium in it.

The Trilliums are starting to bloom now at the footbridge over Munson Creek. (And a couple of friends joined in.)

Western White Trillium ~ Trillium Ovatum

Blue Clematis ~ Clematis occidentalis

Rough-fruited Fairybells ~ Disporum trachycarpum