I don’t know what they’re called [update: glacier lillies*], but they were so lovely, I thought I’d share:
They look a lot like little street lamps, if you look closely, having a lovely curve to their stalks and droop to their stalks. (Click for slightly large view.) I think that I usually miss their peak, in previous years, but I’m earlier this year and the season is a bit later this year too, so they really struck me as quite unusual and spectacular. These were spotted on a long hike up to the Buckskin pass and Willow pass areas yesterday, maybe a little more than an hour and a half out from Maroon Bells.
-cvj
*thanks Paul Clapham!
Thank you! Will update the post!
-cvj
Glacier lilies! Yes, it’s easy to miss their peak because they are one of the first plants to flower after the snow goes away.