OregonWildflowers ![]() ![]() |
Area | Willamette Valley (Salem) |
Best time to visit | May |
Blooming Now | YES |
Elevation | 260-414 feet |
Trail Info | 0.8 mile (or 1.4 mile) round-trip, 160 feet elevation gain |
WILDFLOWER SEARCH | |
Hike information - Oregon Hikers Field Guide | |
Dogs | PROHIBITED. Please respect this location by leaving your dog at home. |
In addition to Kincaid's Lupine, the Refuge is home to the following spring wildflowers: the endangered Willamette Daisy (Erigeron decumbens var. decumbens), Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta), Tolmie's Star Tulip (Calochortus tolmiei), Western Buttercup (Ranunculus occidentalis), Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana), Western Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia var. semiintegrifolia), Spring Gold (Lomatium utriculatum), Small-flowered Prairie Star (Lithophragma parviflorum), Common Camas (Camassia quamash), and the endemic Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta).
I recommend the trail which leads to the Baskett Butte (formerly known as Mount Baldy) Observation Platform. It climbs a little, but is easy enough for everyone. From the parking area, proceed north. Keep left at a junction in the trail, and climb up the hill. The trail circles around and heads south to the viewing platform, from where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Refuge and surrounding area. You will also see a plaque in honor of former Baskett Slough Refuge Manager Rich Guadagno, who was unfortunate enough to be a passenger on the ill-fated United Airlines Flight 93 on September 11, 2001.
As you return from the Observation Platform, rather than descending the hill and retracing your step, I suggest turning left at the grassy fork in the trail. This is the Baskett Butte Loop Trail, which passes through the oak woods before rejoining the main trail. Here you will see some other types of wildflowers that are not likely to bloom in the prairie. You will also get to see more areas of Kincaid's Lupine along this section of the trail. Plus, if you plan your visit in the early evening, there is a very good chance that you will get a close look at the deer who visit the woods for their nightly pre-sunset snack. The Baskett Butte Loop adds approximately 0.6 mile and a negligible amount of elevation gain/loss to the overall hike.
For more information, visit the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service web site.
NOTE: Dogs are not allowed on any trails within the Wildlife Refuge!
Date | Submitted by |
---|---|
Reports from previous years | |
05/19/2024 | Emily |
05/24/2022 | Harvey Simmons |
03/26/2021 | Greg Lief |
05/01/2019 | Greg Lief |
04/26/2019 | Greg Lief |
05/07/2017 | Greg Lief |
04/27/2015 | Greg Lief |
03/28/2015 | Greg Lief |
05/07/2013 | Greg Lief |
05/23/2010 | Greg Lief |
05/20/2008 | Alli |
05/02/2008 | Greg Lief |
04/12/2008 | Alli |
05/19/2007 | Greg Lief |
05/13/2007 | Greg Lief |
04/27/2007 | Greg Lief |
Switch to historical view of wildflower reports
![]() Cat's Ear Lily at Baskett Butte | ![]() Fender's blue butterflies upon Kincaid's Lupine | ![]() Lupine at Baskett Slough Wildlife Refuge | ![]() Fender's Blue Butterfly |
If you find this website useful, please consider making a donation to help defray our web hosting costs.
We do not accept any advertising, nor will we ever sell our mailing list. Thanks for your consideration!
'Very little grows on jagged rock. Be ground. Be crumbled, so wildflowers will come up where you are.' -- Rumi