[Text written long after the trip, based on somewhat faded memories]
On our first full day at Rezanof Lake, we decided to head up the lake and explore the upper valley. Without the inflatable raft and small outboard, it would have taken much longer to traverse the 3.5 miles to the far end of the lake.
Along the way, we stopped to check out a bench with wetlands and meadows along the east shore. It seemed similar to other areas I’ve observed closer to Sitka, with no unusual or unfamiliar plants that I noticed. The high point of this benchland was about 300 feet above the ~730ft elevation of the lake surface.
In contrast, the upper lake shore and the valley we explored above was different than anything I’d been in before.
An extensive patch of Arnica meadow was in full bloom just above the lake shore. I’m guessing it was an area that is periodically inundated, perhaps sometimes with ice that scrapes away vegetation. Above the arnica were sedges, and willow thickets.
As we wandered up the flat valley bottom we passed through large meadows. Some were dominated by Veratrum and lady fern, others were wetter and full of cotton grass. We made it up as far as pinch point that would have required navigating a brush field, or wading the stream. It was late enough in the day that we turned around.
Knowing what I know now as I reflect some years later, I like to revisit this area and spend more time looking at this meadows. I would try to be more thorough with mosses and liverworts as well as the vascular plants. I would also like to get further up the valley, where satellite imagery suggests there are additional meadows.
My iNaturalist Observations for Today
