| Date: July 12, 2003 | | Location Three Pyramids Wildflower Hike | | Where: Pyramids Trail, Middle Pyramid | This was a hike sponsored by the Sweet Home District of the Willamette National Forest and conducted by botanist Alice Smith. After meeting at the Sweet Home Ranger Station we were transported by vans up the South Santiam, through Parks Creek to the base of the Three Pyramids. Here we began our hike on the Pyramids Trail, which begins in lush old growth forest, switch-backing up almost 1800 feet to the summit of the Middle Pyramid. From this summit, once a fire lookout you have a magnificent view of both the Old and the New Cascades.
|  | | Alice explaining about the forest habitat |  | | Alice explaining about dryier habitats This was a wonderful opportunity to learn lots about wildflowers. I was spread a little too thin trying to hear everything that Alice said, and try to get some good photos. I did however mark off over 40 different flowers that we identified and get new 'keeper' photos of: Cooley's Hedge-nettle,Musk Flower, Mountain Thistle, Cascade Penstemon, Tall Bluebells, and Mountain Arnica.
|  | | Alice explaining about Beargrass |  | | Western Columbine |  | | Vanilla Leaf |  | | Harsh Paintbrush |
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