Wildflower Viewing

Alpine phlox on the slopes of Bald Mountain

The elevation range and different life zones in the Snake Range provide habitat for hundreds of flower species. Although there are always flowers to be seen during spring and summer, the wildflower display varies greatly from year to year, depending largely on the amount and timing of winter and spring precipitation. Early in the season, there will be more flowers at lower elevations. Later in the season, flowers will be more common at higher elevations. Although flowers can be found throughout the Snake Range, several locations stand out.

Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive

The Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive is a good place to look for summer wildflowers. Early in the summer, watch for evening primrose and desert mallow. Later on, look for paintbrush, golden peas, and penstemon. Prickly poppies flower throughout the summer.

Alpine Lakes Trail

A walk around the easy Alpine Lakes Trail (Hike 7) is a good way to view alpine wildflowers. Because of the short growing season above 10,000 feet, flowers in this environment are smaller and lower to the ground. Look for mountain bluebells, Jeffry's shooting stars, Parry's primrose, and crimson columbine.

Baker Creek Trail

A harder hike but worth it for the flowers alone, the Baker Creek Trail (Hike 10) climbs nearly 2,000 feet along Baker Creek. During late spring, you'll walk through fields of golden arrowleaf balsamroot. Wild rose is common, and manzanita will bear hundreds of tiny pink lantern-shaped flowers. In the summer, watch for sego lilies and paintbrush in open areas and yellow monkey flowers, shooting stars, monkshood, clover, parsley, and white bob orchids near Baker Creek. Other flowers include bluebells, harebells, fleabane, yellow columbine, blue-eyed mary, lupine, and prickly pear cactus.