Stalking The Wild Flower
The Bloomsday run isn’t the only blooming event this spring.
The Colville National Forest soon will kick off another series of weekend hikes guided by botanists eager to introduce visitors to the forest’s bounty of wildflowers.
Kathy Ahlenslager, forest botanist in Colville, didn’t know what to expect when she organized the first wildflower hikes three years ago.
“They’ve turned out to be more popular than I ever expected,” she said. “We had 200 people come on hikes with us last year, an average of 22 people per hike.”
The record precipitation of March should spell good news for bloom buffs. “A rainy spring usually means a good wildflower display,” Ahlenslager said.
However, there’s a chance that lingering snow in the high country could delay the alpine displays, she said.
The Colville forest holds at least 34 plants listed as rare and “sensitive” - including some sedges, orchids, willows and gooseberries. “But our hikes are mostly geared to showing people the common wildflowers,” she said.
“What’s interesting to me is that it’s not just people new to the area who are coming on these hikes. We’re also getting people who have lived near the forest all their lives.”
This year the hike schedule has been expanded well into the summer so visitors can follow the bloom as it marches up in elevation.
Finding your way through the Colville National Forest is easier with a forest map, available for $3 from any ranger station or from the Forest Service Information Office, 400 S. Jefferson in Spokane, telephone 353-2574.
xxxx WILDFLOWER CLASS Learn to identify common Northwest wildflowers in an evening workshop taught by Kathy Ahlenslager, Colville National Forest botanist, on June 13 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Community College Center in Colville. To preregister, call (509) 684-7000.
Colville hikes May 13, Woodward Meadows - Easy auto tour and short walks on half-day outing. Meet for car pooling at 8 a.m. at Polanski’s Pizza in Chewelah. Outing will feature wetland plants and waterfowl. Info: Colville Ranger Station, 684-7000. May 27, Mystic Lake - Most difficult 4-mile hiking tour up and around small mountain lake. Meet 10 a.m. at Newport Ranger Station. Hike should feature arrowleaf balsamroot, shooting stars, phlox and possibly fishing for cutthroat trout. Info: 447-7300. May 27, Republic basalt knobs - Easy short walks in rocky areas near Republic to see bitterroots. Meet at noon at junction of Highway 20 and Hall Creek Road 7 miles east of Republic. Info: Republic Ranger Station, 775-3305. June 3, Hoodoo Canyon - More difficult 5-mile hike to see variety of wildflowers in scenic canyon leading to Emerald Lake. Meet 9 a.m. at Kettle Falls Ranger Station. Info: 738-6111. June 10, Little Pend Oreille wildlife refuge - More difficult 5-mile hike to view variety of flowers and birds. Meet 8:30 a.m. at refuge headquarters. Drive east from Colville 6 miles on State Highway 20 and turn right onto Artman-Gibson Road. Go 1.7 miles and turn left onto KittNarcisse Road. Drive 2.2 miles, bear right at a Y and follow Bear Creek Road 3.3 miles to the headquarters. June 17, Calispell Peak - More difficult 2-mile walk in an all-day trip to a grass-sagebrush slope at elevations reaching 6,800 feet. Meet 10 a.m. at the city park off Highway 395 in Chewelah. Drive to the peak is about two hours each way. Info: (509) 684-7000. June 24, South Baldy Mountain - More difficult 4-mile hike on high areas overlooking Pend Oreille River and Priest Lake. Four-wheel drive or other high-clearance vehicles required for this day-long trip. Meet 8 a.m. at Newport Ranger Station. Info: (509) 447-7300. June 24, Rogers Mountain - More difficult 5-mile hike at 5,500 feet in area of subalpine firs and beargrass. Meet 9:30 a.m. at Colville Ranger Station. Info: (509) 684-7000. July 8, Chewelah Peak - Easy 3-mile hike along grassy ski slopes. Meet 10 a.m. at 49 Degrees North ski lodge. Info: (509) 684-7000. July 15, Copper Butte fire tour - Most difficult 9-mile hike at site of last year’s Copper Butte forest fire. Meet 9:30 a.m. at Old Stage Trail. From Republic, head north on State Highway 21 about 9 miles. Turn right on Lambert Creek Road No. 546. Drive 7.3 miles to trailhead. Info: (509) 775-3305. July 22, Hall Mountain - More difficult 4-mile hike to mountain summit. Meet 9 a.m. at Sullivan Lake Ranger Station. Info: (509) 446-7500.