NARGS Campout Day 1: Bachelor Mountain
Little sunflower (Helianthella uniflora), normally found east of the Cascades and very common in the Rockies, grows abundantly at Bachelor Mountain.
Every year (well almost), the Oregon chapters of the North American Rock Garden Society (NARGS) get together for a camping trip to some mountainous area in Oregon. I have been organizing these trips for a while now, and in spite of the demise of our chapter in Eugene, I still wanted to continue this tradition. This year, we gathered everyone in the Western Cascades to see the great bloom at Coffin and Bachelor mountains in Linn County, south of Detroit. I had hoped to write a full report, but of course I’m off on another botanizing trip soon and don’t have time. Running out of time seems to be a theme for me during the hectic wildflower season in the mountains. So here are some highlights from our fabulous day on Bachelor Mountain (July 5).
While the butterflies weren’t as numerous as I’ve seen in the past, we did see quite a few, including this dotted blue nectaring on northern buckwheat (Eriogonum compositum).
The trail looks different to a dog. Paco has to crawl under an obstacle on his way up the ridge.
A red, white, and blue display to celebrate the 4th of July holiday weekend. Harsh paintbrush (Castilleja hispida), mountain cat’s ear (Calochortus subalpinus), and Menzies’ larkspur (Delphinium menziesii).
Robin and her dog Austin with Mt. Jefferson looming in the not-too-far distance. Paco has found something of interest among the Castilleja hispida. The beargrass is abundant but not as stunning as at nearby Coffin Mountain.
Rather than going to the summit of Bachelor, at the intersection, we headed east along the Bugaboo Ridge trail. It is more or less level and traverses a south-facing slope with lots of botanical appeal. Eventually we turned the corner to see Mt. Jefferson right in front of us. The meadows on Minto Mountain can also be seen.