As with other locations this spring, Marys Peak is at least a week ahead of schedule.
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<B>Blooming in the forest along the East Ridge Trail</B>: Endless carpets of Redwood Sorrel <I>(Oxalis oregana)</I> as well as Wood Violet <I>(Viola glabella)</I>, Evergreen Violet <I>(Viola sempervirens)</I>, Smith's Fairybell <I>(Disporum smithii)</I>, Pacific Bleeding Heart <I>(Dicentra formosa)</I>, Dwarf Oregon-Grape <I>(Mahonia nervosa)</I>, Candyflower <I>(Claytonia sibirica)</I>, and Oaks Toothwort <I>(Cardamine nuttallii </I>var. <I>nuttallii</I>). Vanilla Leaf <I>(Achlys triphylla)</I> just starting. Some Western Trillium <I>(Trillium ovatum)</I> blooming at higher elevations (past peak closer to Connor's Camp TH). Occasional red-flowering currant <I>(Ribes sanguineum)</I>.
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<B>Blooming in the first meadows</B>: not much yet beyond Roundleaf violet <I>(Viola orbiculata)</I>, Early Blue violet <I>(Viola adunca)</I>, and lots of Merten's Sedge <I>(Carex mertensii)</I>.
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<B>Blooming in the meadows along the gravel road to the summit</B>: Spring Gold <I>(Lomatium utriculatum)</I>, Cliff Larkspur <I>(Delphinium menziesii)</I>, Harsh Paintbrush <I>(Castilleja hispida)</I>, Small-Flowered Blue-Eyed Mary <I>(Collinsia parviflora)</I>, Wild Strawberry <I>(Fragaria virginiana)</I>, and Catchfly <I>(Silene douglasii)</I>. In addition to those, as you round the corner and approach the rock garden you will also see lots of Spreading Phlox <I>(Phlox diffusa)</I> and Western Buttercup <I>(Ranunculus occidentalis </I>var.<I> occidentalis)</I>. I saw a few Arrow-Leaf Groundsel <I>(Senecio triangularis)</I> just starting, and a couple of Rough Wallflower <I>(Erysium asperum)</I> in bloom. There were still a few Glacier Lily <I>(Erythronium grandiflorum)</I> near the road/trail junction, but those will probably be gone very soon. There are considerable lupine leaves in the meadows, but it is still too early for blooms. No tiger lilies yet.
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