We started at the Bonneville Dam Trailhead
It was an in and out hike.

The group assembles and our able leader Terry gives instructions

It was a beautiful day for a hike

Much of the hike was through lush forest.

We did have to look at some clear cutting areas.

We had to cross a stream, but there was a nice bridge

We had great views of the lake

We walked along a delightful little "Babbling Brook"

From a high point we could see across the river

There were good signs along the way

This is a bigger map to show were we were hiking

The trailhead is well marked

Chocolate Lily
(Fritillaria affinis)

Also called: snake's head, checker lily, rice root fritillary, mission bells

The bulbs of chocolate lily were eaten by most Coast and Interior Salish peoples, either boiled or steamed in pits. Chocolate lily, was called “rice root” by Indian people, bedcause it has bulblets that look like grains of rice.

The bulbs grow relatively close to the surface and are easily extracted. Bulbs were dug in spring (before flowering) or in summer or fall (after flowering) using a digging stick, a wooden spade, or the fingers. Chocolate lily bulbs were cooked immediately, or could be partially dried, then stored in a cool place for winter use. They were cooked for about 30 minutes in a cedarwood box, by boiling for a short time then mashing to a paste, or occasionally, by baking in ashes.

Chocolate lily bulbs were used as an item of trade. Even when cooked, they are slightly bitter, and some people used to soak them in water overnight to reduce the bitter flavor. (from USDA Plant Guide Website)

Calypso Lily Orichid
(Calypso bulbosa) Also called: fairy slipper

People come to the Gorge from far and wide to see this delightful little flower.

The calypso is named after the beautiful Greek nymph in Homer's "Odyssey" who lived a solitary life on an island. After Odysseus was washed ashore on her island, she kept him prisoner for seven years.

Miner's Lettuce
(Claytonia sibirica)

There are several plants called Miner's lettuce. The Name usually refers to Claytonia perfoliata where the flower stem is attached to the center of a leaf.

Claytonia sibirica has Basal leaves that are egg shaped. The flower go not grow from the center of a leaf.

Squareroot
Also called Cancer Root
Scientific Name: Conopholis americana