Blackhawk Trail

This is a new sign installation for the Loafer Mountain trail, which leads to the Bennie Creek trail. This sticker format is our standard for marking trails.

We stopped to say "Hi" to the Dispersed Recreation crew. They were improving a post & rail fence around the Payson Lakes Guard Station. These folks do some good work and are a fun group to be around.

Purple Salsify or Oysterplant- Tragopogon porrifloius. This pretty thing is a weed from Western Europe. Supposedly the roots taste like oysters...

Here is Adam as we work our way South on the Blackhawk trail. We were in search of a half dozen Aspens that had reportedly come down across the trail.

Oregon checkermallow- Sidalcea oregana. Native species in the cotton and hibiscus family.

Monkey flower- Mimulus gattatus. Native commonly found along rushing streams.

False hellobore- Veratrum californicum. This plant is being researched for anti-tumor properties. It is poisonous to cattle.

False Dandelion or Orange Agoseris- Agoseris aurantiaca. Native.

Adam looks things over once more before cutting this Quakie off the trail.

Here is some Columbine with a violet tinge.

Looking at our plant ID sheet on the Payson Lakes Guard Station porch.

Richardson's Geranium- Geranium richardsonii. This white geranium is associated with wet areas and streamsides.

We found this stuff growing amongst the Mules Ear on the Blackhawk trail. It feels just like the stuff you find when shucking corn apart. It is commonly known as Dodder and is in the Cuscuta genus.

Adam hiking through a massive field of Mules Ear on Blackhawk trail.

We joined the Rec Crew for a weenie roast at lunch.

And of couse, S'mores.

Thanks to Teresa, our super knowledgeable Forest Service Regional Botanist. She is our primary source to ID our plant photos and we have yet to stump her.