Wildflowers of the Middle Rockies: From Steppe to Alpine
The end of June and early July is peak season for flowers throughout the Rockies, but never more so than in the state of Wyoming, which may resemble Colorado in rectangular shape but has a fraction of the human population.
Cody, our tour base, is almost equidistant from the Bighorn Mountains, Yellowstone National Park and the Absaroka Wilderness and is transected by the Beartooth Highway, which leads to the Beartooth Pass. This location gives the group opportunities to visit key wildflower sites of northern Wyoming. Our lodging is at Thomas the Apostle Retreat Center – a beautifully situated complex with comfortable rooms and a spectacular view of the Cody Valley.
In Cody, our tour explores the summit of the Bighorn Mountains, which is largely composed of dolomitic limestone. This area is almost mythical for its wildflower displays, and there are many unusual and some very rare plants that are only found here and a few neighboring spots: the gorgeous Jones' columbine (Aquilegia jonesii), Kelsey moss (Kelseya uniflora) and the regional endemic rock brake fern (Pellaea occidentalis).
The next adventure takes us over Beartooth Pass – one of America's most spectacular highways that crosses many plant zones. The Pass has montane, subalpine and alpine flower displays; all should be in peak bloom. Purple saxifrage (Saxifraga oppositifolia) has its nearly southernmost occurrence, as does purple heather (Phyllodoce empetriformis). For dozens of miles the road is ringed by a tapestry of wildflower color unequalled anywhere – this is a day you will remember!
The third day includes a visit to the big lake in Yellowstone National Park, with a visit to the iconic waterfall in Yellowstone along the way. There are opportunities to view wildlife, see some of the geothermal activities and, of course, lots of wildflowers. Along the lakeshore are more penstemon species, and in the meadows and forest edges we may be lucky enough to catch the white flowering Wyethia helianthoides.
Includes: Guide, all transportation from the base in Cody in a motorcoach, retreat center accommodation and all meals, except for one dinner on your own in downtown Cody.
For more information contact Mike Bone at mike.bone@botanicgardens.org
Audience: 18+
Price: $2,125 per person, double occupancy; single room supplement: $275
Please Note: For single room you must add both tickets to cart.
Guide: Mike Bone, Associate Director & Curator of Steppe Collection.