STORY BY KAREN BOSSICK

PHOTO BY LISA HORTON

Meet the wallflower, a beautiful yellow flower belonging to the mustard family. Reach out and touch a fragrant sticky currant, which boasts a white bell-shaped flower and a stem coated with sticky glandular hairs but no spines or bristles.

You can see both on the Idaho Native Plant Society-Wood River Valley chapter hike on Saturday, June 20.

The walk will follow the West Fork of the North Fork of the Big Wood River through shaded forest, past waterfalls and in the shadow of avalanche-swept canyon walls. It’s located in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area at the end of a slow-going dirt and rock road behind SNRA headquarters north of Ketchum.

The road is navigable by passenger cars.

The hike is free but memberships in the Idaho Native Plant Society are encouraged. Memberships cost a nominal fee.

The hike is rated moderate to difficult as it could cover up to six miles with a 1,500-foot elevation gain. Wading shoes and poles are advised for the stream crossing.

Participants are asked to wear a mask if they want to look closely at plants with others. And social distancing requires that participants not carpool or share books or hand lenses. It goes without saying participants should bring water, a snack, sunscreen and hat.

Meet at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Hailey Park and Ride lot at the corner of Bullion and River streets in Hailey. Or, meet in the parking lot of SNRA headquarters at 10 a.m. The gang will head home about 2 p.m.

Questions? Call Chapter President Kristin Fletcher at 208-721-2583.