A Ramble in the Woods

Argemone hispida, courtesy Kelly Manley

There’s nothing like temperatures in the 90s and higher to inspire an escape to the higher elevations. Mikl and I did just that last week, checking out Golden Gate Canyon State Park for the first time. Along the 15-mile canyon road leading to the park, the rocky slopes were rich in flowers, mostly a yellow-flowered buckwheat (Sulphur Flower, Eriogonum sp.) and lots of prickly poppy (either Argemone polyanthemos or A. hispida). On arrival, we chose the Horseshoe Trail, an in-and-out trail that makes a gradual climb from 8,100 to about 9,000’ elevation through coniferous forest and aspen meadows. The small stream

Baneberry

we followed was moist, with no moving water, but it was clear that much of the lower trail went through a riparian zone. Some of the first wildflowers we encountered were the subtle greenish white form of western monkshood (Aconitum columbianum), also called Wolf’s Bane, in bloom and Baneberry (Actea rubra) with its gorgeous, juicy red berries. Both are extremely poisonous, and monkshood can even be dangerous to handle.

Rudbeckia hirta

There followed a long stretch of colorful blooms – the white Geranium richardsonii, Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) and its taller sister Rudbeckia laciniata (aka Rudbeckia ampla), and a red Indian paintbrush (Castilleja sp.), as well as a consistent scattering of native Valerian, purple harebells (Campanula rotundifolia), pale blue Mertensias, and blanket flower (Gaillardia aristata). These occurred alongside large mats of Kinnikinnick or Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), past bloom and forming berries.

Nodding Onion

As we climbed a bit higher, we found nodding onion (Allium cernuum), and came upon Lanceleaf Figwort (Scrophularia lanceolata), one of my favorites – not for showy flowers (they’re small and brown and shaped like small cartoon fish or birds), but for their ability to attract hummingbirds. The first time we found a Lanceleaf Figwort was before the 2013 flood along the Anne U White trail in the Boulder foothills. Mikl was surprised I had noticed it at all, being such a homely plant. I recognized the similarities to Red Birds in a Tree (Scrophularia macrantha), and said ‘I’ll bet this is very attractive to hummingbirds’. Mikl said ‘No way, it’s so dull!’, and within seconds, a hummingbird zoomed in to feed on the nectar, right on cue!

Police Car Moth

Throughout our hike, we were among butterflies – Sulphurs, Admirals, Blues, and Commas, as well as the humorously named Police Car Moth, which unlike most moths, is active during the day. And a few lizards darted across the trail.

At the higher end of the trail, the forest opened into meadows. Here we found stately blue Duncecap Larkspur (Delphinium x occidentale), a first siting for us, and the tall yellow and orange Bracted Lousewort (Pedicularis bracteosa) with its basal foliage a dead ringer for fern fronds. And we caught the last of the Rocky Mt. Columbines and Mariposa Lilies (Calochortus gunnisonii), along with lots more Indian paintbrush and Sulfur flower, pussytoes, Kinnikinnick and nodding onion.

Castilleja sp.

As we headed back down the trail, the sky darkened and the air cooled, very refreshing, and just as we were within 100 yards of the parking lot, a flash of lightening and an immediate, very loud clap of thunder were followed by………a few drops of rain.