Mount Zion was the only place in the PNW with no rain in the forecast. So we went there, climbed to the top and looked out to the rain clouds over the North Cascades where we would have been if we'd had better weather. Sweet. I was hoping for rhododendrons. Red ones. Too early still. And it looks like they might end up being pink if the ones blooming along FR 2810 near the trailhead are any indication of what's true here.
A very kind lady, upon arriving at the summit, asked us if we'd seen the Pink Ladies' Slippers (Calypso Lily). We were immediately on full attention. No, we hadn't seen them. She told us to look about 3/4 mile up from the trailhead, and again near the summit as we descended. Apparently the common name, calypso, comes from the Greek meaning concealment. They flourish inconspicuously on the floor of conifer forests. We found them growing in a stand with hues ranging from deep pink to a very light lavender. They grow in undisturbed forests and do not survive transplanting.
She said they are the only orchid native to this region. I wondered though, about the bog orchid which I see fairly regularly.
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