STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Check out the arrowleaf balsamroot, blue camas, mules ear daisies and more when the Wood River Chapter of the Idaho Native Plant Society hosts a free wildflower walk on Saturday.

Members of the Native Plant Society will lead a mid-spring exploration on the backside, or west side, of Dollar Mountain facing Bald Mountain on Saturday, May 30. Participants should expect to walk about two miles round trip over uneven terrain with short steep sections of trail.

“We expect to see early season wildflowers like phlox and desert parsley, with sightings of late spring favorites such as flowering buckwheats, lupine, wyethia, mountain bluebells and much more,” said board president Mary McClanahan. “This hike offers a rich variety of native flowering plants, bunch grasses, and our favorite shrubs in an easily accessible early season hike.”

Wildflowers have begun to burst all over, with arrowleaf and a few varieties of purple penstemon showing up on Cow Creek in Greenhorn. And Carol Waller says the lupine have began to color Two Dog trail out Croy Canyon.

Those wishing to take part in Saturday’s walk should be prepared to leave the Hailey Park & Ride lot at 9 a.m. or the lower River Run parking lot in Ketchum at 9:30 a.m. Participants should return to their cars about 1 a.m.

Carpooling is encouraged since there is very limited parking at the trailhead. Bring sunscreen, hat, lunch, water sturdy shoes and hiking poles, if you use them. Leave dogs home to snooze on the couch.

Questions? Call Kristin Fletcher at 208-721-2583 or email her at naturewalker7@gmail.com.