We set off shortly after 10 under partly cloudy skies and headed off to the former strip mine area to check out the flowers. Then after passing through a wooded area we started the long grunt up the open flowery slopes.

Striding up the open slope

Fortunately it was quite windy which kept most of the biting flies at bay. There was splendid showing of flowers throughout this section


Coiled lousewort (Pedicularis contorta) under a blue sky

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Toward the end of the last scrambly section I noticed a family of 5 marmots sunning themselves in the breeze. The views on the final ridge walk to the rock garden were lovely, as always.
We were welcomed by another gang of marmots, no doubt looking for handouts, or at least a nibble on a hiking pole.


Welcoming committee at the rock garden

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Conglomerate fins at the rock garden

After a leisurely lunch we headed home at varied paces, some preparing for a hike the next day, some recovering from the previous day's effort and others just looking about. My favorite sighting was a hen ptarmigan with 4 or 5 half grown chicks.


Hen Ptarmigan in Grouse territory? Go for latter!

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Thanks to all for their company.
Participants: Jo,John, Nancy,Arnold, Deborah,Bill, Jeannette,Terry, Rosanne andPhilip.