Wildflower Report - Porphyry Basin - July 17, 2010

[Doug Beezley]

Porphyry Basin was as advertised - challenging access, lush, and filled with flowers in full bloom. Most of the time was spent in the vacinity of the upper waterfall which has marsh marigolds and bittercress rimming the small pool below the falls. Similarly, Parry Primrose was found all along the small streams leading from the upper falls. Sneezeweed and Alpine sunflowers were abundant and in excellent condition. Moss campion was seen throughout the basin.

The road, while challenging, was in good shape - it is narrow, however. As an aside, one of my group went up to Bullion King lake and reported seeing a lot of trout in the 16" range.

The best time to be at Porphyry is for a sunrise. Once the sun hits the waterfall areas it's all over until late afternoon when the shadows arrive again. Porphyry really gives you the sense of being in the wilderness and on top of the world.