Black Canyon

An absolutely perfect day. Took a group of people who have not hike here before. Sunny and warm, but enough of a cool breeze to keep from overheating hiking through the canyon. Wildflowers, mostly balsam, lupine, and phlox, were still out over the lower slopes before entering the canyon proper, but not as abundant as I've seen previously this time of year. Not many flowers in the canyon or at the ridge top. Probably too late for some (shooting stars) since the trail has dried out, but still too early for other types of flowers. Views of the Cascades were great. But the amount of snow there indicates that the hiking season near the crest may be relatively short again this summer. One the way down we rested in the cool shade of the aspens at the log shack, and could have stayed there the rest of the afternoon.