Studio 5 Contributor, and Utah State University Horticulturist, Jerry Goodspeed takes you on a tour of his favorite wildflower hikes and offers advice on how to brighten your garden or yard with wildflowers.
Four of my favorite wildflower day hikes in the mountains:
Tony Grove up Logan Canyon – A great variety of flowers around a beautiful little lake. About a 1 mile hike around the lake that is flat. Very easy hike.
Willard Basin above Mantua – A steep drive up a gravel road to the basin and inspiration point, but you can hike to Ben Lomond peak or Willard peak and view many wildflowers (a little over 3 miles to Ben Lomond). You can also see mountain goats up-close. Moderate hike.
Albion Basin up little cottonwood canyon – probably the most popular day hike at the top of the canyon. About a mile hike to Cecret lake. You may also see moose. Easy, a steep hill the last 1/4 mile.
Alpine loop up American Fork Canyon – Go to the Timpooneke trailhead and either hike up toward the summit or down along the stream. You don’t have to hike far to see many wildflowers. Easy hike.
Common flowers you will see right now:
Indian paintbrush (Castilleja)
Bluebells (Mertensia)
Utah Sweetvetch * (Hedysarum)
Penstemon * (Penstemon)
White Primrose * (Oenothera)
Yellow primrose * (Calylophus)
Orange helenium * (Helenium)
Firechalice * (Epilobium)
Sundancer daisy * (Hymenoxys)
One-seeded sunflower * (Helianthella)
*Plants available at your local nursery.
PLANT SALE
UTAH BOTANICAL CENTER
SATURDAY, AUGUST 21ST
8AM-2PM
Kaysville, Utah
Alpine Loop photographs provided by Willie Holdman
www.willieholdman.com
For more information on workshops, plant sales and classes go to
ogdenbotanicalgardens.blogspot.com
Or contact:
Jerry L. Goodspeed
Utah State University Extension
Weber County
Director – Ogden Botanical Gardens
extension.usu.edu
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