Beargrass in Meadowed Terrain - Off Trail SW Olympic Mountains
Aug 14, 2020 15:29:34 #
Laurence68
Loc: Olympic Peninsula, WA
The Beargrass (Xerophyllum tenax) was prevalent in every meadow crossing on this off-trail trip last week.
Sort of surreal to top a ridge, drop into the next meadow, and see the unusually numerous blooms. These went on for several miles, and made me feel like I was on another planet.
This was a tougher hike than usual, as the temps on this day were in the mid 90s according to my little zipper-pull thermometer. That heat is somewhat unusual for the high country on the SW side of the Olympics, though not unheard of.
Even with the heat, the 5 days of uninterrupted hiking was pure bliss, with lots of sweat dripping off my nose - as it should be.
Sort of surreal to top a ridge, drop into the next meadow, and see the unusually numerous blooms. These went on for several miles, and made me feel like I was on another planet.
This was a tougher hike than usual, as the temps on this day were in the mid 90s according to my little zipper-pull thermometer. That heat is somewhat unusual for the high country on the SW side of the Olympics, though not unheard of.
Even with the heat, the 5 days of uninterrupted hiking was pure bliss, with lots of sweat dripping off my nose - as it should be.
Aug 14, 2020 15:42:01 #
Laurence68 wrote:
The Beargrass (Xerophyllum tenax) was prevalent in... (show quote)
I enjoy your backcountry posts and beautiful photography very much, thank you!
Phil
Aug 14, 2020 15:42:30 #
Aug 14, 2020 16:13:39 #
nice, this strange stuff is also along the Old McKinsey Hwy near the Lava Flows here in Oregon. Definitely strange stuff.
Aug 14, 2020 16:16:21 #
nice, this strange stuff is also along the Old McKinsey Hwy near the Lava Flows here in Oregon. Definitely strange stuff.
Aug 14, 2020 17:41:08 #
Aug 14, 2020 21:34:16 #
I remember when I could do that without a care in the world. Forty pounds in a back pack and good for two weeks.
Aug 15, 2020 09:07:00 #
Aug 15, 2020 10:48:10 #
Laurence68
Loc: Olympic Peninsula, WA
rockdog wrote:
I enjoy your backcountry posts and beautiful photography very much, thank you!
Phil
Phil
Well, that makes me happy then. Thank you!
Aug 15, 2020 10:49:30 #
Aug 15, 2020 10:49:55 #
Laurence68
Loc: Olympic Peninsula, WA
ORpilot wrote:
nice, this strange stuff is also along the Old McKinsey Hwy near the Lava Flows here in Oregon. Definitely strange stuff.
Yes, it definitely likes well drained ground and open sun.
Aug 15, 2020 10:50:16 #
Aug 15, 2020 10:51:05 #
Laurence68
Loc: Olympic Peninsula, WA
Retired CPO wrote:
I remember when I could do that without a care in the world. Forty pounds in a back pack and good for two weeks.
Well, then keep those memories alive. It's always good to relive them in our heads. That's the beauty of life.
Aug 15, 2020 10:51:37 #
Aug 15, 2020 15:44:55 #
Rick-ws
Loc: Seattle or North Idaho
Xerophyllum tenax gets its common name for a reason. Beautiful visually, but it assaults the olfactory.
That is a beautiful photo. North Idaho is past the inflorescense prime. Now it's huckleberry season, and the smell is important cause it might be a real bear.
That is a beautiful photo. North Idaho is past the inflorescense prime. Now it's huckleberry season, and the smell is important cause it might be a real bear.
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