Bean Peak

The 2022 50 Peaks Project team completed the project's first field outing of the year on Wednesday, June 29, 2022. We visited Bean Peak in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest outside of Cle Elum, Washington. The area has steep terrain and serpentine soils in the alpine, with valleys and mountain meadows at lower elevations. For this time of year, there was an unusually high amount of snow on the surrounding peaks. We began collecting and observing species when we reached the ridgeline, and were suprised to find many of them in flower. Typically, the peak flower for this area is early June.
In total, we observed 47 alpine plant species on Bean Peak. Dominant species included Allium crenulatum, Anemone drummondii, and Erigeron compositus. We observed most species along the ridgeline, but were surprised to find a single Larix individual near the summit. We were also lucky enough to see several Claytonia megarhiza individuals in full bloom. Many of the species seen had been observed last year on the nearby Earl Peak as well.
Next week, we are traveling back to the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest to survey three additional peaks in the area. 

2022 50 Peaks Interns, from left: Samantha Lieberman, Sophia Ronan, and Brielle Canares.

Mountains to the north of Bean Peak.

Claytonia megarhiza in flower.