The attached plant is located in the alpine at 5500 ft aprox. 70 miles south of the Yukon / BC border at N58 58.8 X W125 28.3. This is in the Toad River area of the Alaska Highway. The attached photo was taken June 9 2008 and there was still snow patches remaining in the area. The flower is aprox. 4-6 inchs high and 1-1.5 inchs in diamiter.
Very nice photographs of a Pedicularis - and based on the general woolly-ness, I'd say Pedicularis lanata (aka woolly lousewort). A comprehensive description (with links to photographs) can be seen on the Flora of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago - Pedicularis lanata Willd. ex Cham. and Schltdl. site (link has been corrected, as per info in posting #6). Care to share any great areas for wildflowers? I'm heading up that way in a couple week's time (so I'll certainly be seeing different things than you did).
Thanks for the help. I only went as far as Watson Lake via Ft Nelson. There is a very nice area around Stone Mountain / Summit Lake for wild flowers you should hit this area just about the right time. So far this spring has been cool and plant have been a little slow. Stone mountain is right on the highway so no need for anything but a car. The next area is where I took these photo's, Toad River. If you want to get up to the alpine there is a road to the north up to a micro wave area that I took. Just ask at one of the lodges and they could help you find it. This road is a bit rough, we had a SUV and it was fine. A car may be a little low for clearance. There are a few other areas if you have a 4X4 or Quad to get off the highway. Let me know what your driving. The next area of interest is Muncho Lake then Liard River Hot Springs. Some interesting plant along the board walk into the hot springs, and the springs are a must see. hope this helps.
Thanks for the advice. We'll be overnighting at Muncho Lake. We're driving a (relatively) high-clearance vehicle (8.5") with "off-road" (ha) tires. We visited Liard 10 years ago (actually, went all the way to Dawson City / Beaver Creek / Kluane / Haines), and we'll be doing the same again this year, but with more time in Alaska.
