|
While the project formally concluded last summer with 55 peaks visited in total, additional sampling has continued as opportunity allows. David Giblin and Hayden Wright have made a couple successful sampling trips so far this summer. On July 23rd, we visited Hart's Pass where we were able to access Tatie Peak North via the Pacific Crest Trail. In spite of smoke, high temperatures, and threats of lightning storms, sampling was safe and successful, concluding with a total of 66 specimens collected.  The dramatic scenery typical of the Hart's Pass/Pasayten Wilderness area Between August 17th and 19th, David and Hayden returned to the Goat Rocks Wilderness and were able to add two new peaks to the project: Johnson Peak and an unnamed 7,247-foot peak to the south. These peaks were identified as potential sample sites during the 2025 visit to the Goat Rocks from nearby Hawkeye Point. All in all, it was a very productive trip with a total of 133 specimens returning to the herbarium to be added to the collection.  Johnson Peak in the Goat Rocks Wilderness, with Mount Rainier in the background Some notable or interesting collections from these outings include Askellia pygmaea from Tatie Peak North, Monardella odoratissima from Johnson Peak, and Elymus glaucus on the unnamed 7,247-foot peak.
0 Comments
August 25th we set out for the Goat Rocks on our last trip of the season. It was an exciting way to end the project, adding collections from the southern cascades which have been a challenge to access in past years due to weather conditions. Additionally, the geography provides relatively less alpine areas to survey compared to the central and north cascades. We thought about how geology potentially influences species makeup of a peak while we explored both quaternary and quaternary-tertiary volcanic rock. Volcanic geology of the Goat Rocks The first day we surveyed Hawkeye Point. Some interesting finds included Ranunculus grayi, Potentilla villosa (found only on two other peaks from the project), as well as tons of Arnica and Lupinus in flower. Senecio triangularis was a first for the project. After having to hike down the mountain early due to thunder, we camped at Goat Lake and even spotted a few goats above camp. Potentilla villosa, Senecio triangularis, and Ranunculus grayi Next we climbed up Old Snowy Mountain, crossing the PCT and finding ourselves in the largest continuous alpine area we've seen all summer! We spent four and a half hours botanizing the slopes and found Hulsea nana, a project first. Draba aureola was abundant in fruit along the talus and scree fields, a second find of this species for the project. The first time was on Mount Ruth which is also made up of quaternary volcanic rock. Perhaps this is an example of species presence correlating with geology. Some other interesting finds included Gentiana calycosa, Oreostemma alpigenum, and Abies amabilis. The next day we stopped back at Hawkeye Point to finish our surveying and headed back to the car as it started to rain. Draba aureola, Hulsea nana, and Gentiana calycosa Just like that, the last 50 Peaks field season has come to a close! This summer we made 384 collections across 10 new peaks and 1 revisited peak. We hiked approximately 118 miles and climbed 35,355 feet of elevation. It has been a joy to spend so much time studying the flora of these remote and extreme ecosystems and as interns we have gained countless skills both in the field and back on campus. Stay tuned for more of the finalized results from the project now that we have full plant lists from 55 alpine peaks throughout the cascades. Thank you for following along!  Hayden, Yssy, Maggie, and David on Old Snowy Mountain, the last peak.
August 11th we set out early from Seattle for North Cascades National Park. We arrived mid morning and began our hike up to Hidden Lakes Peak. It was a stunning 4.5 miles to the top with almost 3,000 feet elevation gain. On the peak we observed 54 species and made 20 collections of species difficult to identify in the field. One new find was Micranthes nelsonia. Other notable finds included Erigeron peregrinus var. peregrinus which has only been collected on one other peak throughout the project and Antennaria monocephela which is new to the project. . We then camped overnight in Newhalem and even had the luxury of a bathroom and a sink!
The next day we drove to Ruby Mountain. We met up with Tynan Ramm-Granberg, a vegetation ecologist with the Washington Natural Heritage Program under the Department of Natural Resources. At around 2 pm we began the hottest hike of the season so far, 4 miles backpacking into Fourth of July Camp where we stayed the night before our summit attempt.  Bright and early on August 13th we began the hike to summit Ruby Mountain on an unmaintained trail, clambering over downed trees and through fire burned areas. It was 4,000 feet of elevation gain and 10.5 miles round trip. Once on the peak we found 88 species and made 42 collections, our most diverse peak of this season so far! Some firsts for the project included Carex atrosquama, Parnassia palustris, Gymnocarpum disjunctum, and Erythranthe microphylla.
On July 29th we set out early from Seattle headed to an area of the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest east of Lake Chelan. With the field season in full swing, this was an especially exciting trip for us as we completed the 50th peak milestone and experienced our first backpacking of the season. After hiking in about 8 miles we shared a quiet campsite with a few marmots in a lush wetland area.
The next day we set off for the 50th peak: Switchback Peak! We hiked south below Sawtooth Ridge, noticing a severe lack of switchbacks on the bootpath. On the peak we observed 59 species and made 44 collections. One exciting find was Salix cascadensis with both female and male catkins which we found only on a lower area of the northwestern slope of the peak. Other species of note were Rhododendron neoglandulosum, Micranthes spp., and Sibbaldia procumbens.
Salix cascadensis  Interns having lunch on Switchback On July 31st we had a shorter hike up to Unnamed Peak 8120 on Sawtooth Ridge where we observed 53 species and made 37 collections. Some exciting firsts for the summer included Piptatheropsis exigua, Sedum lanceolatum, and Chamaenerion angustifolium. We also found many Antennaria species, more Rhododendron neoglandulosum, and even a small amount of Cysopteris.  Rhododendron neoglandulosum This was a valuable trip as it expanded the range of the project’s collections in the North Cascades, filling a gap between other collections. This trip also provided insights into ranges of understudied alpine plants, an overarching goal of the project. For example, we collected Sedum rupicola on both peaks which has historically been thought of as a Central Cascades species. The only more northern collection of this species is on Mount Tiffany, from a 2022 50 Peaks trip.
On July 15th David, Hayden, Maggie and Yssy set out for the second trip of the season but our first trip as a full crew in the William O. Douglas Wilderness! After camping at the trailhead, we set off early the next morning up the Mount Aix Trail, gaining about 4000 feet of elevation in 6 miles. After taking a right off the trail and traversing southwest along the ridgeline we sampled Nelson Ridge Peak 7495. This was an interesting peak to explore as previous interns have sampled along northern sections of Nelson Ridge in 2024. As predicted, we discovered Dryas hookeriana at higher elevations. Another significant discovery was Nothocalais alpestris, a first for the project. The total species count was 62. |
 Nothocalais alpestris |  Ranunculus grayi |
 Dryas hookeriana |  Collomia debilis var. debilis |
On July 17th, we headed up the Mount Aix Trail again but stopped earlier at Nelson Ridge Peak 7405 where we found 68 species. Agoseris glauca, Micranthes tolmiei, Packera streptanthifolia, Phyllodoce empetriformis, and Solidago multiradiata were found on the second peak, but not the first. Meanwhile, species like Huechera cylindrica were found only on the first peak. This trip showed us how species composition can greatly vary between alpine areas that are geographically close.
Yssy, Maggie, and Hayden in front of Nelson Ridge Peak 7495 with Mount Adams in the distance.
Yssy, David, and Hayden sampling Nelson Ridge Peak 7405
Looking up at Mount Aix from the west
Great views of Mount Rainier with Abies lasiocarpa in the foreground
On July 1st, David, Maggie, and Hayden set out for the Wenatchee Mountains for the first fieldwork of the 2025 season (and Maggie and Hayden’s first fieldwork as interns on the project). On the first day we sampled on Not Hinkhouse Peak, just southwest of Mount Stuart. Conditions were sunny and warm, and the hike to the top was fairly straightforward. The peak included a fair amount of serpentine rock serpentine associated plants. By the end of sampling we counted a total of 53 species.
Hayden and Maggie near the top of Not Hinkhouse Peak
On July 2nd, we got an early start hiking up Esmeralda Peak, a bit southwest of Not Hinkhouse. The trail was empty, and conditions remained sunny, albeit a bit chilly at the peak due to wind. Both the geology and the flora at the peak were starkly different from Not Hinkhouse. Rock at the top was much patchier and included some basaltic outcrops. Non-serpentine portions of the peak also included many species not observed the day prior. By the end of sampling we had a total of 67 species, making it the most diverse peak on this trip.
On July 3rd, we decided to spend our final day revisiting Fortune Peak to look for any species in addition to what was found the previous year. This was our tallest peak this trip at 7,382 feet, and conditions at the peak were sunny, breezy, and fairly cold. We managed to find an additional 9 species, bringing the total for the peak up to 51. Some highlights were finding Smelowskia ovalis in full bloom, as well as copious amounts of Allium crenulatum on the southwestern face of the peak.
 Allium crenulatum was abundent on Fortune Peak |  Smelowskia ovalis in full bloom |
Overall this was a pleasant and productive trip and a great start to the 2025 season.
On August 27th, we left for our last trip of the 2024 field season. The first day, we sampled Peak 6735, located just down and across the ridge from Mount Ruth, which we sampled the week prior. We set off sampling in clear, sunny weather with the forecast suggesting it would stay that way. However, we watched as the clouds began to roll in and ended up sampling in the snow/ hail. Despite the inconsistent weather, we observed 59 species on the peak. One unique discovery was Monardella odoratissima, which is usually found at lower elevations. The presence of this plant and its use of gravity dispersion could be indicative of patterns from historic warmer climates (Hypsithermal) during the Holocene climatic optimum.
 Payton standing in the hail |  Monardella odoratissima |  David and Winston sampling under the rainbow |
On August 28th (the second day of the trip), we ventured up the popular Burroughs Mountain Trail from the Sunrise Visitor Center and out to Peak 7571. We were blessed with perfectly clear weather with the ability to see from Mount Rainier all the way to the Olympics. We discovered a total of 64 species. One unique discovery was Elymus violaceus, which had not previously been recorded in the national park.
 Group picture!! |  Payton and Winston hiking |
 Winston and David with peek-a-boo of Mt. Rainier |  Potentilla villosa |  Payton and Winston walking along the ridge to the peak |
Overall, these peaks offered stunning views with unique floristic compositions. They were a spectacular way to round off the 2024 field season. They also allowed us to have a well-rounded sampling range within this area of the national park with Mount Ruth at 8690 feet of elevation, Peak 7571 at 7571 feet of elevation, and Peak 6735 at 6735 feet of elevation.
Mt. Rainier from the sampling area of Peak 7571
This hike concludes our 2024 field season and our time with the 2024 interns: Payton, Iris, and Winston. We have left this project with a new appreciation of alpine plants and increased skills to ID them. We are excited what the next year will bring for the project (including the 50th peak) and a new set of interns. This season we visited a total of 13 peaks (with an additional 2 that we revisited). This is the most peaks completed within a season for the project's history and it marks 45 total peaks for the project. We hiked approximately 102 miles with 33,000 feet of elevation gain. We made 536 collections and 243 additional observations for a total of 779 plants seen with a variety of interesting discoveries. Check back here for updates on the 2025 field season.
David, Iris, Payton, Winston, and Erik at the cloudy peak of Mt. Ruth
On August 21st, the crew completed their last peak of the 2024 field season with all of the 2024 interns. We were also joined by a 2023 intern, Erik. With rain potentially on the forecast in the afternoon, we efficiently climbed the 5 miles and 4600 feet of elevation gain up Mt. Ruth. Luckily, we avoided any rain, but sampled in the clouds making some visibility challenging. Some interesting finds were Ranunculus grayi and Draba aureola (a rare species). Mount Ruth marked the first of a series of peaks we sampled in Mount Rainier and the tallest at an elevation of 8690 feet. At this high elevation, we still observed 44 different species making this trip an interesting and unique addition to the project.
 Ranunculus grayi  Payton, Erik, Iris, and Winston taking a break before finishing the long climb up Mt. Ruth |  Draba aureola |
Yesterday, Iris, Payton, and Winston surveyed Kendall Peak, which had been previously surveyed by last year's crew. It was an interns-only venture with the goal of testing our ID skills. We scoured the peak for anything missed the previous year and collected plants that were not collected last year. To add to the original plant list, we discovered Paxistima myrsinites, Saxifraga austromontana, a Castilleja species, and four other different species. All of these were collected and we will work to further identify them over the next few weeks. Another observation we made, was Campanula rotundifolia was listed as rare in abundance last year, however, we observed lots and would adjust the abundance rating to common. Overall, this trip was a lot of fun and worthwhile to collect more specimens and add to the plant list from last year.
 Iris and Winston sampling |  Paxistima myrsinites |  Iris and Winston searching for plants |
 Campanula rotundifolia |  Summit selfie! |
Last week, the interns (Iris, Payton, and Winston) and David ventured into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. It was a tough 6.5 mile hike with 4,000 feet of elevation gain up to Lake Edna where we planned to set up camp. We then hiked up and resampled Camp Horn from 2021 with the goal of identifying any species that may have been missed in the initial survey. We added six new species to the peak's plant list including: Silene suksdorfii, Huechera cylindrica, and Phacelia hastata, and observed many of the same species recorded from the 2021 survey (some of which are imaged below).
 Chamaenerion latifolium |  Phlox hendersonii |  Oxyria digyna |
 Winston on Cape Horn |  Iris and David sampling in the cloudy weather |
The next day, the fluctuating weather cleared to sunny for our hike up Ladies Peak. Ladies Peak was large and we found high levels of diversity with 78 species observed. One impressive find was Astragalus alpinus, which has never been observed as part of the 50 peaks project and has never been documented in Chelan County. Overall, this trip was both interesting and successful.
 Astragalus alpinus |  Astragalus alpinus |
Iris, Payton, and Winston sampling on Ladies Peak
