Pyrénées, July 2017

[Yann]

Early June i was undecided to trek in the region, mainly because of the very dry spring and early summer.
Finaly i flew, with family, to Perpignan and spent 8 days in the Cerdagne-Capcir.

I pretty knew that i'll not see much plant as previous visits, even above 2400-2500m.

WALK 1

The first walk occured in the Val de Planes, also called Orri de Planes.



You can see my track (black line), i did mainly off trail. Off course i already know the areas.

[Yann]

The river has a quick flow, on the lower parts of the trail steel cables help to cross the shores.
After 4km of climbing finally the first plateau can be seen.

[Yann]

Approching the hills i still didn't find interesting plants, cows has eaten every green plants but not grass!
I was so disappointed, but i did the round walk in the valley at full speed :+)

[Yann]

on my way back i stopped on a schists area to look at cushions plants

[Yann]

Saxifraga geranioides were nice compared to the rest 
That's all for the first walk, just to warm up for the next summits.

[Yann]

WALK 2 : Estany de L'Oliva

An easy walk among bogs, the goal was to find Ligularia siberica
On the site i've found many Trifolium badium, Equisetum fluviatile, Dianthus monspessulanus and deltoides, Angelica razulii

[Yann]

WALK 3 : Sanyes, near Les Angles

The bogs of Sanyes is known by very few persons, it's a very rich vallon for flora and fauna.
It remains intact as the ski stations are far enough of this remote area.
Mosquitos and ticks are your friends, so no short trousers 

[Yann]

more of this wet and cold area

here grow Pinguicula grandiflora, Phyteuma pyrenaicum, Pimpinella magna, Adenostyles alliariae, Drosera rotundifolia and intermedia among many other species typical of these environments.

[Yann]

more tomorrow, i'll post the KMZ file of endemics plants i've found.

[David Nicholson]

Very interesting Yann, thanks for posting.

[Maggi Young]

 I must really be getting old - I'm enjoying even more than usual other people doing the walking instead of me!
 

[Yann]

I really like to walk a lot, sorry for your legs 

[Yann]

WALK 4 : Puigmal de Segre, 2840m

A great walk among, that climbs a bit  departure at 1600m, submit at 2840m



The road to the "parking" is easy access with sometimes strange vehicules on it

[Yann]

the more you climb, the more it's interesting. Primula grandiflora in seeds, Xatardia scabra, Ranunculus ranunculus parnassifolius, Dianthus, Androsace, etc

[Yann]

i had no thunders, nor rain. Higher you can find Sesamoides pygmaea (photo 3), again Ranunculus and Xatardia scabra (4) , Saxifraga aquatica, viola diversifolia just to name a few.
The best period to visit these mountains is between 1th to 20th June, i was already too late to enjoy more flowers.