During the summer of 2008, I had the opportunity to do high elevation trail maintenance in Colorado.I was enthralled by the wildflowers.I thought I would highlight some of my favorites, one at a time, so that you could learn a bit about each one.The information comes from both my experiences and the book “Guide to Colorado Wildflowers” by G.K. Guennel.I really found this book helpful in unmasking the identities of these beautiful flowers.I took the pictures; they don’t do the flowers justice.If you think my picture is good, go out and see them in person, it’s a hundred times better.Happy Trails!
Fireweed, also known as Willowweed, Willowherb, or Blooming Sally, is a member of the Evening Primrose Family.
Flowers are to 1” or more, with 4 roundish, pink to red (or even purplish) petals and 4 linear sepals.Seed pods are slender, to 3” long and 4-angled.
To catch a glimpse of Fireweed, check along roads, in burned areas and forest openings, on cleared land, and at the edges of woods.They can be found from the foothills to the subalpine, so from 6,000 to 11,500 feet in elevation.Plan to hike, conditions permitting, sometime from June to September.
During the summer of 2008, I had the opportunity to do high elevation trail maintenance in Colorado.I was enthralled by the wildflowers.I thought I would highlight some of my favorites, one at a time, so that you could learn a bit about each one.The information comes from both my experiences and the book “Guide to Colorado Wildflowers” by G.K. Guennel.I really found this book helpful in unmasking the identities of these beautiful flowers.I took the pictures; they don’t do the flowers justice.If you think my picture is good, go out and see them in person, it’s a hundred times better.Happy Trails!
The Harebell, also known as Common Harebell, Scotch Harebell, Bluebell, Bell Flower or Witches Thimble is a member of the Bellflower Family.
The flowers are bell-shaped, nodding, to 1” long, with 5 lavender to purple, fused petals that flare at the tips and 5 short, spreading sepals.
Finding a Harebell can be done at a much lower elevation than most of the other flowers I’ve discussed.Harebell’s can be found anywhere from foothills to alpine regions, anywhere from 6,000 to 14,000 feet in elevation.Be sure to check on grassy slopes, in meadows and forest clearings, at the edges of woods and even on grassy tundra.
Plan to hike anytime from June to October, weather permitting.Happy Trails!
During the summer of 2008, I had the opportunity to do high elevation trail maintenance in Colorado.I was enthralled by the wildflowers.I thought I would highlight some of my favorites, one at a time, so that you could learn a bit about each one.The information comes from both my experiences and the book “Guide to Colorado Wildflowers” by G.K. Guennel.I really found this book helpful in unmasking the identities of these beautiful flowers.I took the pictures; they don’t do the flowers justice.If you think my picture is good, go out and see them in person, it’s a hundred times better.Happy Trails!
Elephant Heads, also known as Little Red Elephant or Elephant Flower, is a member of the Figwort Family.
The Elephant Heads’ flowers are pink, reddish, or purplish, in dense, long spikes.Flowers are 2-lipped; the upper lip is long and curing (the “elephant trunk”), and the lower lip had 3 lobes.
When hiking in Colorado, look for Elephant Heads any where in the Montane to Alpine regions, from 8,000 feet to 14, 400 feet.Be sure to look in areas of shallow water, wet meadows, bogs, swamps and near streams, ponds and springs.
The best time to catch these flowers is between June and August.So check the weather, find a friend, plan a hike and get there and see this unique flower!
During the summer of 2008, I had the opportunity to do high elevation trail maintenance in Colorado.I was enthralled by the wildflowers.I thought I would highlight some of my favorites, one at a time, so that you could learn a bit about each one.The information comes from both my experiences and the book “Guide to Colorado Wildflowers” by G.K. Guennel.I really found this book helpful in unmasking the identities of these beautiful flowers.I took the pictures; they don’t do the flowers justice.If you think my picture is good, go out and see them in person, it’s a hundred times better.Happy Trails!
Rose Crown, also known as Queen’s Crown or Red Orpine is a member of the Stonecrop family.
The flowers of Rose Crown are in elongate, terminal cluster, with pink and white, pointed petals.
When hiking in the Subalpine and Alpine regions, elevations from 10,000 to 14,400 feet, one has a good chance to encounter Rose Crown.They like to grow in bogs, seeps, along streams and along pond shores so keep your eyes open in those areas.
Weather and conditions permitting, plan on heading to the high country from June through August to catch a glimpse of Rose Crown.
During the summer of 2008, I had the opportunity to do high elevation trail maintenance in Colorado.I was enthralled by the wildflowers.I thought I would highlight some of my favorites, one at a time, so that you could learn a bit about each one.The information comes from both my experiences and the book “Guide to Colorado Wildflowers” by G.K. Guennel.I really found this book helpful in unmasking the identities of these beautiful flowers.I took the pictures; they don’t do the flowers justice.If you think my picture is good, go out and see them in person, it’s a hundred times better.Happy Trails!
King’s Crown, also known as Roseroot or Western Roseroot, is part of the Stonecrop family.
On King’s Crown, flowers are in a terminal cluster and are small (about 1/8”) with 4 purple or reddish petals and a 4-lobed, purple or reddish calyx.
To find King’s Crown, look in the Subalpine and Alpine regions of Colorado, so anywhere from 10,000 to 14,400 feet in elevation.Check on lake shores and stream banks as well as in swales and rills on tundra since those are the best places to find them.
Conditions permitting, schedule a hike between June to August to see them in bloom.
During the summer of 2008, I had the opportunity to do high elevation trail maintenance in Colorado.I was enthralled by the wildflowers.I thought I would highlight some of my favorites, one at a time, so that you could learn a bit about each one.The information comes from both my experiences and the book “Guide to Colorado Wildflowers” by G.K. Guennel.I really found this book helpful in unmasking the identities of these beautiful flowers.I took the pictures; they don’t do the flowers justice.If you think my picture is good, go out and see them in person, it’s a hundred times better.Happy Trails!
Sky Pilot, also known as Sticky Polemonium or Skunkweed, is a member of the Phlox family.
The Sky Pilot’s flowers are fragrant, funnel-shaped, and in tight, terminal clusters. They have 5 blue or lavender (or sometimes white), roundish corolla lobes and a densely hairy calyx.
When hiking in Colorado, look for the Sky Pilot in alpine areas, 11,500 feet to 14,400 feet in elevation.Be sure to inspect tundra slopes and crests, boulder fields and disturbed meadows, and along trails to catch a glimpse of them.
To catch them while flowering, plan a hike to the high country anytime the conditions allow from June to August.I saw this flower while inspecting one of our trail crew’s work on the re-route on Mt. Yale.I wasn’t expecting to see it but when I did, it put a big smile on my face.
During the summer of 2008, I had the opportunity to do high elevation trail maintenance in Colorado.I was enthralled by the wildflowers.I thought I would highlight some of my favorites, one at a time, so that you could learn a bit about each one.The information comes from both my experiences and the book “Guide to Colorado Wildflowers” by G.K. Guennel.I really found this book helpful in unmasking the identities of these beautiful flowers.I took the pictures; they don’t do the flowers justice.If you think my picture is good, go out and see them in person, it’s a hundred times better.Happy Trails!
The Arctic Gentian is part of the Gentian Family just like the Mountain Gentian.
There are 3 flowers per stem and they are barrel-shaped and up to 2” long.Their color can be anywhere from a white to greenish color with purplish streaks on the outside and spots inside.Life Zones:Subalpine and Alpine
When trying to catch a glimpse of this flower, check in grassy areas along stream banks, in meadows and near ponds.I found quite a few when I was hiking up Mt. Bierstadt in Colorado in August.The Arctic Gentian is found in the Subalpine and Alpine zones, anywhere between 10,000 and 14,400 feet in elevation in Colorado.The best time of year to spot the Arctic Gentian, August.Happy hiking!
During the summer of 2008, I had the opportunity to do high elevation trail maintenance in Colorado.I was enthralled by the wildflowers.I thought I would highlight some of my favorites, one at a time, so that you could learn a bit about each one.The information comes from both my experiences and the book “Guide to Colorado Wildflowers” by G.K. Guennel.I really found this book helpful in unmasking the identities of these beautiful flowers.I took the pictures; they don’t do the flowers justice.If you think my picture is good, go out and see them in person, it’s a hundred times better.Happy Trails!
Mountain Gentian, also known as Blue Gentian, Pleated Gentian, Parry Gentian, Bottle Gentian, and Puff Gentian, is one member of the…you guessed it, the Gentian Family.
The Mountain Gentian’s flowers are barrel-shaped, to 2” long.The flowers have 5 petals fused together which make up the “barrel” or “bottle,” which splits into 5 pointed, reflexed lobes and 5 smaller lobes or “pleats.” Color can vary from azure blue to purple.
To find the Mountain Gentian, look in the Montane and Subalpine zones in Colorado.The Montane Zone starts at 8,000 feet and the Subalpine Zone tops out at 11,500 feet .They prefer moist meadows, stream banks, bogs, willow thickets and forest borders.
The best time of year to see these in Colorado’s high country is July through September.So pick a hike, mark your calendar and keep your eyes open.They are a subtle but beautiful flower.
During the summer of 2008, I had the opportunity to do high elevation trail maintenance in Colorado. I was enthralled by the wildflowers. I thought I would highlight some of my favorites, one at a time, so that you could learn a bit about each one. The information comes from both my experiences and the book “Guide to Colorado Wildflowers” by G.K. Guennel. I really found this book helpful in unmasking the identities of these beautiful flowers. I took the pictures; they don’t do the flowers justice. If you think my picture is good, go out and see them in person, it’s a hundred times better. Happy Trails!
The Alpine Sunflower, also known as Old Man of the Mountain, Mountain Sunflower, Alpine Goldflower, Sun God, and Rydbergia is part of the Aster Family.
Flower heads are very large (to 4″ across), single, and nodding, with bright yellow, notched ray flowers, a large, domed disk, and narrow, woolly bracts. The stems of the flower are pretty distinct as they are woolly, as if they have whiskers (making the flower seem a good bit like an old man).
You can find the Old Man of the Mountain in Alpine zone, anywhere between 11,500 and 14,400 feet in Colorado. Secrets to finding him, check on ridges and slopes, among boulders and in meadows. The best time to go on a hike and find the Old Man is July and August.
During the summer of 2008, I had the opportunity to do high elevation trail maintenance in Colorado. I was enthralled by the wildflowers. I thought I would highlight some of my favorites, one at a time, so that you could learn a bit about each one. The information comes from both my experiences and the book “Guide to Colorado Wildflowers” by G.K. Guennel. I really found this book helpful in unmasking the identities of these beautiful flowers. I took the pictures, they don’t do the flowers justice. If you think my picture is good, go out and see them in person, it’s a hundred times better. Happy Trails!
The Colorado Columbine, also known as the Blue Columbine, Colorado Blue Columbine, and the Rocky Mountain Columbine, is part of the Hellebore Family and is the Colorado state flower.
The flowers are very unique but beautiful.They are 3” across, with 5 spreading, blue to lavender sepals and 5 scoop-shaped, white petals.They also have these, tails…I think they look a little bit like batman’s ears but sticking out the back of the flower.I am sure there is an official name for this structure, but I don’t know what it is.
The Colorado Columbine is consistent in it’s affinity for moist soil but can be found in ravines, rocky slopes, willow tickets, aspen groves and forest clearings.It lives as low at 6,000 feet and can be found high into the Alpine zone which ranges from 11,500-14,400 in Colorado
It flowers from June to August, be sure to keep an eye out for it.It’s a highlight of any hike!
