Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Ice Plants on the 97 switchbacks

On the way up to the summit of Mt Whitney, I found some nice colorful ice plants on the 99 switchbacks. I told myself that I would take the time to take pictures or maybe collect samples on the way down. Outr trip down however was in a rush when it started hailing. Anyone have pictures of these ice plants? Does anyone know what they are called? Would they survive on the shady side of the house in Orange County, CA?

My pictures from the hike on July 24th 2007 is in the signature link.

Why the gun on the register?

Maybe the Persian Long Hair he was also carrying wouldn't sit still ("no pets, no firearms beyond this point").

Slacker, it's unlikely it would thrive and bloom. Alpine natives are some of the hardest plants to cultivate in garden conditions, they often need the extremes of their environment. That is a broad generalization and there are certainly exceptions, so without knowing what it is...

I suspect collection is verboten

Take only pictures, leave only footprints.

"I suffered altitude sickness which brought on disorientation and hallucinations."

Definitely the person I want armed with an illegal firearm, a disoriented, hallucinating guy!

"Collecting" is definitely illegal.

Was it the sky pilot?



For a larger view, go to:
http://dbdimages.smugmug.com/gallery/1622676#82879377
and put the cursor on the image and select size: "original"

Dale B. Dalrymple
http://dbdimages.com

Here are some I found.

That cirsium (native red thistle) is fantastic!!! I saw them on the trail down around Outpost camp I think. I would have never expected to see them on Whitney. I bet the polemonium (phlox looking blue flower) is the plant slacker was asking about (pictures good, collecting definitely bad).
Great pictures thanks for sharing!!!!

Looks like we all saw that one.

No samples. Whitney isn't a Costco on a Sunday...

What are the little pink flowers growing close to the ground?

Looks like Sierra Primrose (Primula suffrutescens).

Booga, I'm curious which of the 99 of the 97 switchbacks did you photograph the primroses?

Oh - did I say 99 switchbacks? It sure felt like a lot more.. Which is why I almost feel justified to add three more.

My initial post to start this thread was to ask about the ice plants on the trail, and I asked for pictures to be posted. The post with the pictures were not mine, although I wish I would have had the chance to take pics of my own.

Thank you for posting pictures!

I wonder if there are members of this forum that hiked during the full moon eclipse. That would really have added to the experience.

The signature URL contains pictures of the hike to Mt Whitney.

All of the pix I took with the exception of the pink flowers growing close to the ground were taken just shy of the summit. The pink flowers were right next to the water coming out of the switchbacks.

Two more pics:

The reason I asked is so I can look for landscape ideas for a small area in my front yard. I guess I will have to visit the local nursery and ask for a close match to these plants.