Cooper Spur and Vista Ridge both offer a profusion of wildflowers at this time of the year. The latter area experienced a serious forest fire (more on that tomorrow) 6 years ago. As a consequence there is less shade and more sun on the trail which has led to an explosion of wildflowers in areas already blessed with them during normal times.

The forest is carpeted with avalanche lilies at this time of year; once you arrive at the meadow, Eden Park, which is one of the destinations of this hike, there is a field of flowers of every color of the rainbow traversed by a meandering stream. Breath taking. Whoever named that place had it right. Eden does come to mind.

Here are a few that I particularly liked. (Descriptions can be found here https://www.wta.org/news/magazine/magazine/WT-06-08-WILDFLOWERS.pdf which also taught me that there are more than 57 species of wildflowers in the Cascades and Olympics.} I give the names where I think I know them – happily stand corrected.

Bear Grass

Indian Paintbrush and Alpine Cinquefoil

Sitka Valerian

Jeffrey Shootingstar

Lewis’ Monkeyflower

The Cooper Spur trail has the advantage of leading through trees in the beginning which give shelter to seas of lupines.

Above the tree line you get plants hugging more closely to the ground to avoid the constant wind. It sometimes looks like some giant infatuated with polka dots painted scores of colorful circles onto the volcanic ash and pumice stones.

Wild Asters

Explorer’s Gentian

Spreading Phlox

And the last photo is dedicated to Charlie, the Mole Magician. Friend and neighbor, he manages to keep his yard mole-free while mine, which merges seamlessly into his, looks more like this.  What’s the secret, Charlie?