Swampy Pass Trail

Swampy Pass Trail

Swampy Pass Trail is a 10.9 mile out and back trail a bit southwest of Crested Butte off County Road 730. It is located in the West Elk Wilderness and is open to hikers or horseback riding. The flowers covering the meadow in the photo are Mule’s Ears (Wyethia...
Marcellina Mountain, Ruby Range

Marcellina Mountain, Ruby Range

This is a photo of Marcellina Mountain with aspens in full fall color. It is taken from the Ruby Range, which is just on the other side of Crested Butte from Keebler Pass. The Ruby Range has nine peaks, relatively close to each other, the highest being Mt. Own at 13,...
Hook-spurred Violet (Viola adunca)

Hook-spurred Violet (Viola adunca)

Hook-spurred Violet (Viola adunca), in the Violet Family (Violaceae) is native and common on open slopes, in meadows and open forests, and in alpine tundra. It is found from from the foothills to the alpine on the eastern and western slopes. It blooms from May through...
Nuttall’s Violet (Viola nuttallii)

Nuttall’s Violet (Viola nuttallii)

Nuttall’s Violet (Viola nuttallii), in the Violet Family (Violaceae), is a native, widespread species which is common on open hills and in grasslands and meadows, from the plains to the subalpine on the eastern and westerns slopes. It blooms from April through...
Prairie Goldenrod (Solidago ptarmicoides)

Prairie Goldenrod (Solidago ptarmicoides)

Prairie Goldenrod (Solidago ptarmicoides), in the Aster Family (Asteraceae) is considered imperiled in Colorado (S2), but secure globally. It is found in forest clearings and open meadows, mostly found in El Paso and Teller Counties but with scattered occurrences...