It's An Avalanche!

Day 275: It's an avalanche...of Avalanche Lilies, one of the best-loved wildflowers of the alpine areas. A flood of blooms follows quickly on the heels of the receding snow. In fact, ten days ago, this very spot was still snow-covered, but beneath the cold blanket, the drifts of plants were already emerging.

Kin to the yellow Glacier Lily, it is easy to remember which is which. Avalanches of snow are always white. Glaciers tend to color up with debris and age. Erythronium montanum is a flower of the high country, preferring elevations over 3500'.