Skip to main content

Get Inspired

Common Wildflowers of Snowmass

This article highlights some common wildflowers to spot around Snowmass' trail network. It describes the Latin name for the plant, expected growth window, and any fun facts about the flower.
a patch of scarlet paintbrush wildflowers grow and two hikers walk past

When hiking or biking around Snowmass, you’re sure to run into some of these wildflowers

Where to find them

While it is difficult to predict exactly when, where and for how long these wildflowers will bloom, we can help by recommending the most likely areas various wildflowers can be found. These areas include Ditch Trail, East Snowmass Creek Trail, Maroon-Snowmass Trail, Nature Trail, Rim Trail, Tom Blake Trail, Anaerobic Nightmare Trail, Government Trail East, and Government Trail West.

two hikers smile while taking a break by a lake in a meadow of wildflowers

Arrowleaf Balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata)

This wildflower is native to high elevations in the Rocky Mountains of the United States in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. It is often confused with Mule’s ears or Heart-leafed arnica, two other yellow sunflowers that grow commonly in the area. While Arrowleaf balsamroot grows well in exposed areas like Sky Mountain Park and Rim Trail South, Mule’s ears thrive in dense, clay soils. Bloom time: May-June

arrowleaf balsamroot flower blooms by the trail and snowmass ski area is in the distance

Narrowleaf Paintbrush (Castilleja linariifolia)

This wildflower is most often found in oak-mountain shrublands. Interestingly enough, the flower’s roots grow until they touch another plant's roots, then begins to take nutrients from that plant, slowly killing it to make more room for itself! Bloom time: July - August

a meadow of orange wildflowers blooms with two mountain bikers posing

Blue Columbine (Aquilegia coerulea)

The Rocky Mountain Columbine is Colorado's state flower. This rare flower can be found while hiking in Snowmass, but remember, it is illegal to pluck this flower so please spectate with respect. The flower can come in many varieties, but the official state flower contains a yellow center with cream and lavender petals. Bloom time: June - August

rocky mountain columbine blooms in a meadow in front of a mountain

Elephantella (Pedicularis groenlandica)

Elephantella are found in the Rocky Mountains and the surrounding states. They thrive in cold and wet conditions, such as snowmelt at the end of the winter season and near groundwater. Bloom time: June - August

Leafy Aster (Aster foliaceus)

This wildflower can be blue or more purple. The plant typically grows in montane and subalpine environments where it can be easy to spot. It is native to the Rocky Mountains and other nearby mountain ranges of Western Canada and the Western United States. Bloom time: July - August

purple aster flowers bloom in the mountains

Learn More