Thimbleberry, Photo by Erik W. L. Anderson

Wednesday, June 27th, 2007 - Report by

What a wonderful day - the woods are such a lush green and "Natures Garden" is blooming on some of the roadsides (Yellow & Orange Hawkweed, Yellow Bird's-foot Trefoil, Buttercup, White Yarrow and Daisies and a smattering of yellow & red Columbine.
We took the Trout Lake Road to Mink Lake Road especially to see the Yellow Coralroot (It is so uncommon that we found it in only one of our many books). We found them and they were not quite open and the Spotted Coralroot and Linnea were across the road.
We then went down the Pine Mountain Road and enjoyed the many White Pines. Also on the roadsides were Cow Parsnip, Wild Roses, Thimbleberry and Purple Clover.
The way to the main Pit lake is to take the first or second left after Two Island Campground. In taking the path to the right we were surprised and pleased to see a Large Round-leafed Orchid in bud. Then taking the road to the left to the main entrance to Pit Lake we found One-flowered Wintergreen and had lunch on the shores of the lake with enough breeze to keep away the bugs.
We then turned right on Trestle-Pine Road to see the Pitcher Plants, Iris and Upright Bindweed also on part of Pit lake.
We were so thrilled with our day so far but there was more to come. We went down the Bally Creek Road and stopped where we see Pipsissewa in the woods a ways into the forest and that forest floor was SO beautiful but the Pipsissewa wasn't blooming. But "Oh MY" all the Linnea and Bunchberries - Incredible!! And Stewart we couldn't find the Dwarf Rattlesnake Plantain.
Towards the end of the day we were sitting in the roasting hot car with windows shut to keep out the bugs, pouring over our books trying to identify a small, grassy yellow flower - and Sandy we found your Mystery Shrub again.
Crazy - but fun!!