Blues and purples are dominating the color wheel this week on the Lake Clara Trail, as the wildflower bloom continues to put on a show. Glad for some shade and a light breeze to escape the valley’s heat, I headed up along the lower trail alongside mats of penstemon that love the gravelly soil near the trailhead. Just like last week, I was impressed by the speed at which these sprawling, bushy wildflowers have sprung into bloom in just a couple days.
The lupines, too, are beginning to work their way up the slopes, fading out of the warm sun of the base area and ascending into the partly-shaded, higher forests en route to Lakes Clara and Marion.
A smattering of other wildflowers, including forget-me-nots, adds some diversity to the forest floor, while the last remnants of the Tweedy’s Lewisia and the rapidly-fading glacier lilies are phasing out.
Reaching the lake about 1.5 miles into the hike, it feels like spring is just about ready to give way into summer, with the vibrant greens of new tamarack needles deepening into the darker, more mature shades of the mid-season. Along the lakeside, new plant growth is lush and thick, eager to make the most of the water source.
On the way down, I took a more leisurely pace and stopped to watch some of the forest residents – songbirds, squirrels, woodpeckers, and unfortunately just a couple mosquitoes – going about their daily life amidst the natural beauty.
The verdict: another great week on the Lake Clara Trail! The natural beauty is simultaneously persistent yet ever-changing as wildflower season continues to move forward on a daily basis. Trail conditions are fantastic – snow-free and mud-free but still cool enough to avoid any dust. If you’re heading up to enjoy a meal at the Chair 5 Pub, celebrate Father’s Day with us, or simply enjoy the natural beauty of The Ridge, Lake Clara is the spot to be right now as we wait for the upper mountain to finish melting out. The weather forecast is looking wonderful for hiking, with high temperatures in the 60s on Friday, Saturday, & Sunday.
Looking forward to seeing you on the mountain!
Base Area Forecast
Friday 6/13: Sunny, with a high near 62. Northwest wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Saturday 6/14: Sunny, with a high near 65. North wind 3 to 7 mph.
Sunday 6/15: Sunny, with a high near 69. Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming light and variable.
Chair 5 Pub Schedule
Summer hours are Fridays from 4pm–9pm, Saturdays from 11am–9pm, and Sundays from 9am–2pm. This weekend, we’ll additionally host our Father’s Day BBQ on Sunday from 5-8pm! Reservations are required for the barbecue.
No chairlifts will run during the off-season.
Off-Season Access PolicyÂ
During the off-season, public access within the Mission Ridge Special Use Permit area is permitted except where restricted due to maintenance and construction. We love seeing the Mission Ridge community in the mountains and on the trails year-round, but please make sure to check out the full access policy by clicking the link below.
