Peak 6735 and Peak 7571

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.