Freedom Peak, Mary's Peak, Iron Peak

The 50 Peaks Project Team returned to the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest this past week from July 5th to July 7th. On the first day, we were joined by Gary Brill, an experienced mountaineer, to help guide us to the top of Freedom Peak, about an 11 mile round trip hike with 3,313 feet of elevation gain. Upon reaching the top, we designated the alpine region for collecting based on the end of the tree line. We observed 47 species in total, the dominant species appearing to be Erigeron compositus, Lomatium cuspidatum, Sabulina nuttallii, and Claytonia megarhiza. We found numerous species that had not been previously observed on the closest neighboring peak that we had data for, Navajo Peak. We were ultimately surprised to find a single Aquilegia formosa and Adiantum aleuticum (also known as Adiantum pedatum var. aleuticum) in our designated alpine region.
The second day, we returned to the Bean Creek Basin trailhead, however this time we navigated up to Mary’s Peak, about a 7 mile round trip hike with 2,410 feet of elevation gain. This hike proved to be a relatively challenging scramble to the top, as we had to make it up and back down before a possible inclement weather event predicted in the afternoon. At the top, we observed 50 species, with Erigeron compositus, Eriogonum pyrolifolium, Polystichum lemmonii, and Heuchera cylindrica appearing to be the dominant species. We were excited to find a Draba sp. on a small, North facing rock outcropping.
The final day we climbed up to Iron Peak and were joined by Tony Cavalieri, a professional plant physiologist who has worked extensively in international development and conservation and most recently on agricultural development in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The hike was about 7 miles round trip with 2,523 feet of elevation gain. We observed 46 species in total, the dominant species appearing to be Astragalus whitneyi var. sonneanus, Lomatium cuspidatum, Anemone drummondii, and Douglasia nivalis. We were surprised to find one specimen of Ribes lacustre, presumably dispersed to the peak by a traveling bird!
Tune in for our next outing, where the project team hopes to survey a peak in the Mount Rainier National Forest.

Brielle Canares, Sophia Ronan, Samantha Lieberman, and Gary Brills before ascending Freedom Peak.

Phacelia sericea on Mary's Peak.

David Giblin, Brielle Canares, Sophia Ronan, and Samantha Lieberman at the top of Mary's Peak with Bean Peak in the background.

Samantha Lieberman, Brielle Canares, Sophia Ronan, and Tony Cavalieri at the Iron Peak Trailhead. 

Draba sp. on Mary's Peak.

Adiantum pedatum var. aleuticum on Freedom Peak.​