This entry focuses on the proliferation of wildflowers I saw today from the Little Willis Trail on the north side of Hope Pass.

I was mostly in thick forest below 11,000 feet where few flowers were in bloom. I began seeing more and more woodland wildflowers along Little Willis Creek and in the open meadows as I got closer to the treeline:

 

 

 

 

It was difficult to capture the beauty of the flowers in areas of shade and sun; my inexpensive camera does much better in full sun. Even editing software couldn't salvage most of the shots I took in the  wooded areas.

The more sun reaching the ground, the more flowers I saw.

I just had to stand in awe when I reached the blanket of predominantly purple asters and/or yellow daisy-like wildflowers near and above treeline:

I took a large number of close-ups of the flowers on my way back down the mountain. Here are some of them:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See why it took me almost seven hours to hike a little less than twelve miles??

I took a boatload of pictures and spent lots of time simply enjoying my surroundings. Each time I climb a particular mountain I wonder if it will be the last time . . .

If this is the last time I am able to climb up to Hope Pass, it was a great hike that I can remember fondly.

Next entry:  exploring Willis Gulch, a new trail to us between Mount Hope and Twin Peaks

Happy trails,

Sue
"Runtrails & Company" - Sue Norwood, Jim O'Neil, and Cody the Ultra Lab

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© 2011 Sue Norwood and Jim O'Neil