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Whetstone Mountain
It was a hot sunny day on the west side of the 59-square-mile Bull of the Wood Wilderness. I was the only one at the trailhead.
The summit of 4,969-foot Whetstone Mountain was my objective, the site of a long-removed wildfire lookout facility.
It should have been a relatively easy 2 1/2 mile climb to the top. But, it had been a long time since there had been any trail maintenance. Big sections of the trail were so overgrown I couldn’t see my feet. I suspect the lower trail will be closed in several more years.
On the lower part of the trail there were some very large old-growth Douglas firs. Near the top it turned to a sub-alpine fir and mountain hemlock forest.
To my surprise, there were ripe huckleberries to munch on. I’m guessing this is going to be a banner year for wilderness berries.
Ripening Huckleberry
Cascade Lily
Mt. Jefferson from the summit of Whetstone Mountain
California Tortoiseshell Butterfly
Turtle Heads
Edith’s Checkerspot Butterfly
Small pond along the trail
Orange Agoseris
Cat’s-ear Lily
Field of wildflowers near summit
Mt. Jefferson
Honeybee on a thistle
Trailhead sign
Plume of Beargrass
What lovely pictures of the wildlife and wildflowers. I love the honeybee on a thistle!
Thanks Ellen. Wildflowers and bees, a match made in heaven.