Several different colors of columbines grow throughout the valley. The white and lavender variety is Colorado's state flower.
Vail Mountain is home to several thatches of beautiful purple lupine.
Big Horn trail in East Vail is thick with Indian Paintbrush.
Attention outdoor enthusiasts who love gems of natural beauty. Wildflower season is at its peak in the Vail area, and if you don't explore the valley's trails and mountainsides soon, you could miss one of the loveliest aspects of the summer landscape.
The Colorado Rockies are home to more than 900 species of wildflowers. Some of the most breathtaking varieties in the area include a rainbow array of columbine, the lavender and white of which is Colorado's state flower.
The areas wild roses are on their way out already, but you are bound to see an ocean of color around many corners in the form of Indian paintbrushes, lupine, elephant heads and wild daisies.
Shrine Pass at the top of Vail Pass is known to be one of the best areas to view wildflowers, but plentiful bouquets also grow along the North Trail, Gore Creek, Big Horn and Booth Falls trails in Vail.
As if Vail's back bowls aren't enough to make you sigh in awe in the winter when the expanse of terrain is covered in snow, the bowls are also a sight to make you gasp in the summer when they're teaming with wildflowers.
Beaver Creek is yet another option - keep a close eye along some of the resort's shaded singletracks, where rare species of wild orchids have been spotted.
One of the most striking aspects of local wildflowers is their color varieties. Columbines not only come in lavender-white, but also in yellow, orange and pink. Paintbrushes also sport the entire color wheel.
It's also not uncommon to come across wild raspberries (check the North Trail), but be careful what you eat ... most of the local berries are not edible.
By the end of August, the wildflowers will be nearly gone in the Vail area. So, get out and take in an eyeful while the colors are at their brightest.
Video
With the help of a local enthusiast, Jeniece Pettitt learns how to identify a variety of area wildflowers on a hike through Vail. Since flower season is in full force, watch and recognize the many varieties of flowers you've seen while out and about.
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