- Mt. Pugh shows up as Pugh Mountain on the topo map. But I can assure you as I have been assured (by the USGS) that Mt. Pugh is the correct form (although the local Native Americans would rather it be Da Klagwats). The next go-round of cartographic fun will correct this error. Yes, the USGS is not infallible. And neither am I. So let me try and describe this peak without messing up…
- Mountain Loop Highway (summitpost.org)
The Mountain Loop Highway is home to many popular cascade hikes and climbs. There is no doubt that the scenic beauty of the Mountain Loop Highway Peaks far exceeds that of the I-90 corridor Peaks. There is more diversity in wildlife, foliage, and summit blocks are generally more rugged and exposed. The Mountain Loop Highway is a well kept secret among the locals of Washington State with the exception of Mount Pilchuck, trails are seldom crowded and tranquil isolation is the norm.
- Lacamas Park Lily Field (OregonHikers.org)
The city of Camas, Washington, was named for the camas plant. Camas was a very important crop in Native American traditional life. The roots were dug up, dried or cooked, and saved for food use and as sweeteners. The bulbs were usually harvested in summer, but the plants were sometimes marked during the spring bloom to avoid confusion (and possible fatalities) with a plant with very similar looking leaves, the highly toxic death camas. Every year, the people gathered in the meadows to harvest the larger bulbs only. Woodlands and brush were burned to create more expansive camas meadows, and camas plots, often assigned to particular families, were harvested on a rotational basis to allow plants to produce more bulbs.