For the 4th of July we did something different for a change. Chris and Bev were camping up Sam Down's Creek so Bill, Mom and I went to visit them. After we admired their campsite, Bev said, "Let's go up to Triangulation and see the wildflowers!" For those of you who are not familiar with Triangulation, it is one of the highest elevations in the coast range, and there used to be a look-out there. We used to go there when we were kids, and the "boys" spent many years hunting in that area.The drive up the Kilchis River to Sam Down's Creek was beautiful!
This is Sam Down's Creek just before it goes under a bridge and joins the Little Northfork of the Kilchis River.
This is where it joins the Little Northfork. Chris and Bev set up camp not too far from here. This was also a favorite fishing spot when we were kids.
This is Chris and Bev's campsite. Bev's brother, Jim, joined them and set up the little tent.Chris is trimming some vine maple sticks for roasting hot dogs and marshmellows.
Look at Chris' huge stick!
Jim and Bev
I am attempting to roast marshmellows with Chris' huge stick :-)We headed up the canyons where Bill and Chris enjoyed viewing their old hunting grounds.
Five hundred and fifteen yards from where we were standing was a culvert off in the distance (it is a little while speck just below the middle of the far road). Chris had to brag a little about the time he fired only one shot and hit the metal fence post just above the culvertThis is a close up of the fence post (proof :-).
Chris is pretty pleased with himself each time he tells the story :-).Spectacular views!
As we continued up the mountain, we saw many beautiful plants and flowers. This is a maidenhair fern. Mom used to teach us the names of all of the ferns, flowers, shrubs, trees and birds that she knew when we made this trip as kids.
Lupin
Wild IrisThistle
Indian Paintbrush
Wild Columbine (my favorite flower)
Thimble BerryTiger Lily
Monkey Flower
Field Mint
Three varieties of Scotch Broom (not sure if these are "wild" or "domestic")
Goldfields
Penstemon
I've seen these flowers before but I do not know the name of them. Can anyone help me?
Three-leaved Anemone
Broad-leaved Starflower
Field Chickweed
This is another flower that I've seen but I do not know the name.
Inside-out Flower
Wormseed Mustard
rock plantAnother flower that I don't know the name of
Larkspur
Bleeding Heart
White Penstemon
Yarrow
Self-Heal
Deer Vetch
A lighter variety of Indian Paint Brush
Cow Parsnip
Our common and beautiful little Buttercup
Foxglove
Bear Grass
As we continued to climb we saw this old rusted water tank. It was used by loggers, or perhaps for putting out fires.
We're almost at the top. You should have seen some of the roads that Chris navigated!
Chris and Bill at the top of Triangulation
As you can see it was pretty foggy, so we didn't get to admire the fantastic view from Triangulation. However, we were not disappointed. The wildflowers were thick!
After descending from the mountain, we made a stop at this bridge on the Southfork of the Kilchis River. It didn't have any rails, but Chris talked me into leaning over and taking some pictures!
The downriver view from the bridge was to pretty for words.
The upriver view
This was taken just before crossing Barker's Bridge. Bill and I used to swim here before we had any children.
This is the same bend in the river, taken from the bridge.
This carving indicated that a crazy person jumped off the bridge in 1997!
Chris and Bill on Barker's Bridge.
Chris calls this the "Blue Hole."
We experienced only one firework this year. Bill and Chris took off running after lighting it!
This is the aftermath, and that is all I am going to say!
We had a great time and felt privileged to enjoy such good company and a such a grand view of this beautiful part of our country!
