Sunday, March 9, 2014

Wildflower Season Is Here!!!!

Despite the daily news coverage of snow and cold in the East and South, here in Southern Oregon the temperatures have gradually been warming up.  That, combined with the recent on-and-off rains, tends to lead to the appearance of wildflowers. Add in the fact that Spring is only 11 days away and you might catch Spring Fever!!

The Beekman House in Jacksonville
So with sunshine and temps near 65 on Friday. Glenn left work a little early and we threw Katie in the car (not literally) and drove to the Beekman House in Jacksonville to hike 3 trails of the JWT: The Grove Woods, Beekman Canyon Loop, and the California. Although each trail is not a long distance,  they do form a figure eight, so we like to combine all three, hiking each multiple times in different directions. This allows for a nice 1-2 hour hike.

Time to Trek!!!!
As we began along the Beekman Canyon Loop trail, we were quickly treated to Fawn Lilies and Oak Toothworts.  These were soon joined by Hounds Tongue in the sunny portions of the trail.  We were also treated to a group of deer as we neared the top of the loop, but they did not stay around for picture taking.
As we transitioned to the Grove Woods trail, we came across a large patch of Marsh Marigolds along the small stream area at the trailhead. We have only come across those flowers one other time in our hikes, so it was a treat to see them again.
Oak Toothwort


















Fawn Lily

Marsh Marigold

















Even though we hiked less than two hours, we had caught the wildflower fever and still had Saturday to hike before the rains returned........

....so on Saturday we threw Katie in the car (again not literally) and drove to Grants Pass to hike at the Cathedral Hills Trails.  Here too we hiked 3 trails: Backside Loop, "W" Trail, and the Wild Rose Loop.  We hiked at Cathedral Hills in July 2011, so this was the first Springtime hike at this location.

So many choices, so little time!
After parking at the Espey Trailhead (largest of three trailheads), we headed out on the Backloop trail and were surrounded (literally) by Indian Warriors - the wildflower.  They were everywhere!!!!!

Indian Warrior  - it was everywhere!!
As we hiked along, the Indian Warriors were soon joined by Shooting Stars, Oak Toothwort, Western Buttercup, Hounds Tongue and the very beautiful Grass Widow.  Since the "W" trail and Wild Rose Loop were nestled between canyon ridges, the wildflowers were surrounded by the constant green of moss on neighboring rocks and trees. This made for a very colorful hike.

Shooting Star


















Grass Widow

Hounds Tongue


















Western Buttercup

















We only came across one mountain biker and a few hikers, so it was also a nice quiet hike that allowed us to take in the sights and enjoy the beauty.  Our Spring Fever was quenched (till next weekend).

View from "W" trail ridge
Lately it seems that our hiking has made us hungry (??), so in keeping with that theme we picked up lunch in Grants Pass before heading home.  This was our first visit to Casablanca Coffee & Grill drive-thru, but after enjoying a Philly Cheese Steak Torta and a Casablanca Special Wrap, we highly recommend you stop by and try them when in Grants Pass. Of course hike first to work up an appetite.

Trekking Together
Glenn & Carol

P.S.  While hiking the Grove Woods in Jacksonville, we came across some sort of memorial or fairy treasure (see picture below) alongside the trail.  A stone necklace with the word 'love' was hanging next to a stash of shells and stones. We took pictures of it and hiked on.  It wasn't until we got home and looked at the pictures that we noticed there was a piece of paper under the stash.  We are now curious what was written on the paper, so if you happen to hike this trail before we do again and the note is still there, let us know what it says.

"Love" necklace


Treasure stash with mystery note



1 comment:

  1. Nice picture of that purple flower which I sincerely believe to be a grass widow and not an elegant brodiaea. The grass widow was the subject of an argument between me and one of my fellow hiking friends who insisted it was a blue-eyed grass. Finally, I took the guidebook with me on a club hike on Table Rock, showed her the flower and the picture in the book and I won again! I've heard Cathedral Hills is one of the best wildflower hikes but I've never been...Happy Trails!

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