Nelson Ridge Peak 7495 and 7405

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.
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Nothocalais alpestris

Ranunculus grayi

Dryas hookeriana

Collomia debilis var. debilis

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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