Weldon Wagon trail - orchids 5-1-2010

[Banksia]

We made a quick trip from the north trailhead on the
Weldon Wagon Road trail, to look for orchids.

The lady's slipper orchids (Cypripedium fasciculatum)
are in full flower. The fairy slippers (Calypso bulbosa)
are going over, but a few are still very nice.

Cypripedium fasciculatum

Cypripedium fasciculatum

Calypso bulbosa

[Splintercat]

Nice patch of Lady Slipper -- have you hiked the Ruckel Creek trail before? In the switchback section above the vision quest pits there are hundreds of calypso -- clusters of 10-12 in a good year. A bit past their prime, but since you're an orchid enthusiast... plus, there are the well-known hanging meadows just beyond the switchbacks with a variety of other flowers, in season.

Tom

[Stevefromdodge]

I might be heading up there this weekend.

Where did you find the lady slippers?