Day 6 (Layover Day) - Explore Around the Palisades Basin
While part of the group makes a quick run on nearby Columbine Peak, and Tina runs up Mt. Sill, I stay around camp with Cherie to take advantage of the chance to photograph the abundant and colorful wildflowers in the area.
24 Photographs
1
Our second day in the Palisades Basin, and I decide to explore up some of the creeks and waterways, looking for wildflowers. I’m soon rewarded - here some Cinquefoil brightens up the scenery.
2
Where there’s water, there’s color! Nearly all the small lush meadows have bold displays of this Meadow Paintbrush.
3
Bunches of Colville Columbine grow out of the sunny rock faces...
4
...while this Musk Monkeyflower hides in the shadowy cracks.
5
The Columbine is one of the most interestingly shaped flowers...
6
...and there’s no shortage of it in this little canyon.
7
This Western Columbine stands out with its bright orange and yellow.
8
A clump of Goldenrod stands in front of some Rhodiola for a nice color combo.
9
The Palisades loom over us as we progress up the waterway.
10
This area is full of these tiny frogs.
11
This one seems unconcerned with my closeup approach!
12
The higher lakes display a wonderful range of blue-green colors in the clear water.
13
All the dark spots among the rocks are tadpoles. They swarmed by the hundreds in some areas!
14
The Pride-of-the-Mountain Penstemon takes the prize for most brilliant color!
15
These small shallow lakes were warm enough to be pleasant for swimming - a welcome way to cool off and clean off a bit.
16
With few flat places close together in this area, our camp was a bit spread out , but the location was good for access to the Palisades.
17
A ribbon of Alpine Laurel fills this crack, with more color contributed by the Mountain Aster and Goldenrod in the background.
18
The Palisades make a great backdrop for these Meadow Paintbrush.
19
This Red Heather and White Heather manage to get into the same shot.
20
Some Primrose Monkeyflower adds variety.
21
The classic Indian Paintbrush makes its appearance too.
22
Sun’s getting low, so it’s time to head back...
23
...and join up with the group for dinner...
24
...and to scheme up our plan for tomorrow. There are more mountains to climb, after all!