Bowman Mtn. Loop

first pictures by Maureen...

 Thirteen of us hiked the Bowman Mountain loop on a warm but not too hot day.  This time we did NOT go cross-country to find the path and we maintained an even pace to the lake overlook, the cute little tarn, and watch tree.  We saw camas lilies (purple AND white) when we crossed Loney meadow and glacier lilies where snow had melted.  We reached the tarn late enough to eat lunch there which brings up the subject of whether we should now start the hikes at 8:30.  I will email you separately on this.

We decided to head down the path to Lower Rock Lake, skipping the Upper lake as we had just done it recently.  We saw the usual pussy paws in the burnt out area but no columbine yet.  I also saw a plant I tentatively identified as Western Waterleaf...related to Caterpillar Phacelia. 

Later, attracted by relentless  buzzing we realized we were watching a swarm of bees that was relocating from the home nest.  Some of us got out binoulars and cameras to get a closer look.  Fascinating behavior. 

We had hiked 8 miles with a elevation gain of about 1300 feet.

From map down from Frank.