You saw it here first – the wood lilies are beginning to bloom in Bow Valley Provincial park( and likely many other locations). Thanks to Chuck who sent this photo.
I was there today to see them with my own eyes, so I know it’s authentic.
Red Paintbrush
The pathways are lined with bright pink hedysarum(aka northern sweetvetch) and yellow lady’s slipper. The roots of hedysarum are a primary food source for grizzly bears at this time of year. A few shooting stars and red paintbrush were also in bloom. There were lots of other wild flowers which I don’t know the names of.
We spotted a bear which looked similar to this
Bear sighting
As we were driving out of the park(near Elk Flats group camp), a majestic, beautiful cinnamon-coloured grizzly bear crossed the road about 40 metres in front of us. All the parks are full of bears at low elevation right now. Make lots of noise when hiking, carry bear spray, and keep your dogs on a leash.
Lady’s slipper
Hedysarum(aka Northern Sweetvetch)
Hike Here???
I’ll third the recommendation of BVPP as a wood lily hotspot. There used to be a few good patches at Nose Hill and Bowmont parks in Calgary, but they have dwindled in recent years (Too many being picked?).
We have been hiking the ridges and hills of the southern Highwood in recent weeks, where a profusion of wildflowers can be found-
https://picasaweb.google.com/steveandjoriggs/CatCreekHills#slideshow/6028111086823533250
https://picasaweb.google.com/steveandjoriggs/GunneryCreekFirCreekLoop#slideshow/6024250095377844946
Thanks for the report and the gorgeous photos. Your comment reminded me to put up a “Hiking Trip Reports” page on the main menu.
Beautiful photos. What a spectacular area those foothills are. Patterson country!
My buddy Bob and I started reading R.M. Patterson independently about 25 years ago, a continent apart. I started reading for the paddling stories, but Bob read for The Buffalo Head Ranch. This got him committed to scrambling, starting in the foothills, and he now he only has two more peaks to be in the Kane klub!
Huzzah to those glorious wild flowers, green meadows, and gnarly old trees of the foothills.