Best Wildflower Hikes Washington (Best Hikes)

A noted botanist, a local hiking columnist, and a renowned outdoor photographer lead 50 field trips to the best native wildflower fields in the state.

*Full-color photography by Ira Spring
*Profiles of 50 wildflower species by Washington botanist Arthur Kruckeberg
*Hike write-ups by Karen Sykes, columnist for The Seattle Post-Intelligencer
*Charts listing hikes by featured flowers, peak viewing times, and more

In 50 hikes throughout the state--from the ocean beach to high alpine terrain and the lowlands in between--experience the beauty of Washington's native wildflowers. They peak only once a year--this guide will tell you where and when you're most likely to find them. They include the ephemeral lewisia tweedyi and the more common trilliums. You'll enjoy meadow flowers (from Sitka valerian to columbine), flowers of the forest, and plants and flowers you'll see on beach walks.

Sidebars on flower habitat and color maps and photos illustrate each hike. A separate section presents in-depth profiles of 50 flowers, including common and Latin botanical names, distinguishing features, where they are commonly found, conditions in which they thrive, accompanying vegetation, their growth and propogation habits, and historical uses (culinary, medicinal, etc.).