Jackson Creek Trail

A trail I've been driving by for years, but did not "discover" until this past week, is the Jackson Creek Trail.  Not for the faint of heart, it is very steep and has the potential to lure people to significant falls.  But, we were careful and discovered two new (to us) wildflowers.  This photo of Hot Rock Penstemon is a preview of our findings.  The trail begins on the frontage road by Mt. Tomba.  On the right-hand side of the road is a small parking area and a sign saying Jackson Creek Trail.  It's a little tricky to actually find the trailhead.  It begins with a pedestrian tunnel beneath Highway 70.  Shortly after emerging from the tunnel, the trail gets steep and narrow with lots of loose gravel.  Patches of he Hot Rock Penstemon appear right away along with Spring Beauty, Heart-leaf Milkweed, and Sulfur Pea.  There were lots of butterflies, but the only one I chose to photograph was a large Swallowtail feeding o a milkweed.  If I can get near a fast Internet source, I'll post the rest of this trip.  Then I hope to go back and organize my photos and tales from two weekend excursions to Oakland Camp,
Butterfly Valley and Caribou.