Wildflower Walks

Monkshood

Aconitum columbianum

Description: Purple-blue blossoms about 1 inch wide with one sepal that develops into a hoodlike cap. Flowers form a loose cluster atop stems 2 to 5 feet tall. Broad, alternate leaves are divided into three to five sections, each of which is toothed. Grows in wet meadows and along streams. Blooms late June to early August. (“Peterson Field Guides’ Rocky Mountain Wildflowers,” by John J. Craighead, Frank C. Craighead and Ray J. Davis)

Recently seen: Heart Lake Trail near Superior

The walk: From the west side of Interstate 90 in Superior, follow Diamond Road 20 miles to the Heart Lake trailhead. (At five miles, the road turns to gravel and follows Trout Creek southwest.) From the trailhead, follow the path south through the trees along the South Fork of Trout Creek, crossing several smaller creeks on log bridges. Look for monkshood growing up from the bushes along the trail. The trail climbs gradually along the creek, then switchbacks up the east side of the valley. The trail crosses several more small creeks, the last without a bridge; step on the large rocks poking out of the water instead. At the trail junction on the other side of the creek, turn south and walk the last hundred yards or so to Heart Lake at two miles. Stop here and return to the trailhead, or continue on a trail around the east side of the lake and up to Pearl Lake, about a half mile farther.

Justin Grigg