Wildflower Wonder- Beckwith Pass (11 July 2015)

(Last Updated On: August 19, 2014)

Crested Butte is known for it’s wildflowers. Heck, we even have a wildflower festival. The festival was just this past week. While I didn’t actually participate in the festival activities, I still decided to get in the spirit and go for a good wildflower hike. I’d heard that the wildflowers were in full force near Beckwith Pass. So, I borrowed Eddie the wonderdog to join me, and we headed out for a wildflower hike on the Cliff Creek trail.

The lower aspen forest harbored many wildflowers, like these larkspur.
Larkspur wildflowers near Crested Butte

Sneezeweed.
Sneezeweed wildflowers near Crested Butte

I don’t see this one too often – Corydalis.
Corydalis wildflowers near Crested Butte

I feel like we have a lot more flax this year compared to other years – such a soft and beautiful flower.
Flax wildflower near Crested Butte

The Aspen Sunflowers were peaking in the Kebler Pass area.
Aspen Sunflowers near Crested Butte

Aspen sunflowers near Crested Butte

As I emerged from the forest, the meadows were full of color too. Here’s a field of wildflowers with East Beckwith behind.
Wildflowers near Beckwith Pass

Paintbrush mixed in with Scarlet Gilia and Lupine.
Scarlet gilia, lupine, paintbrush wildflowers near Crested Butte

Fields and fields and fields of Scarlet Gilia.
Scarlet gilia near Beckwith Pass near Crested Butte

Eddie among the Scarlet Gilia, slightly frightened by distant thunder.
Eddie dog in wildflowers near Crested Butte

Columbine were prolific throughout the hike.
Columbine near Beckwith Pass

It just kept getting more and more beautiful.
Wildflowers near Crested Butte, Beckwith Pass

Looking northeast toward Ruby and Owen.
Ruby and Owen as seen from Beckwith Pass near Crested Butte

One last parting wildflower shot.
Wildflowers near Beckwith Pass near Crested Butte

Summer is here! Get out and enjoy the amazing scenes and wildflowers before they’re gone! Remember, summer is short here in Crested Butte!

Want to go on a wildflower hike?

Don’t forget that wilflowers are constantly changing based on time of year, altitude, and weather. In the last month, we have watched the field across from our apartment change from green to purple to white to yellow. A wildflower hike that is good one week, may change the next. So, if you want to find where the wildflowers are going to be good, talk to some locals. Pop into a shop or a restaurant and ask. Heck, even ask someone sitting on a bench on Elk Avenue. Crested Buttians love to share their knowledge!

Many thanks to Dara Buchelle-Collins for setting me straight on my wildflower identification 🙂

Want to do this hike yourself?

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Brittany Walker Konsella

Aside from skiing, biking, and all outdoorsy things,Brittany Walker Konsella also loves smiles and chocolate 🙂 Even though she excels at higher level math and chemistry, she still confuses left from right. Find out more about Brittany!

Brittany Walker Konsella

Aside from skiing, biking, and all outdoorsy things, Brittany Walker Konsella also loves smiles and chocolate :) Even though she excels at higher level math and chemistry, she still confuses left from right. Find out more about Brittany!

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