Western wallflower, purple variant; Erysimum capitatum, v. purshii

On June 17, 2012, these were abundant high on the south slopes of Mt. Casco (at around 13500 feet). But I have not seen them elsewhere (though I know others have found them high on peaks in the same area). They are a variation on the western wallflower (http://wildflowerswest.org/erysimum_capitatum_colors.htm), though they are similar to the Pallas wallflower of more northern regions. The name “charming wallflower” is also used, but the species above seems to cover all color variations.

On July 6, 2014, I revisited the area, again finding lots of these purple ones, but also some white ones and some orange/pink ones.

And on July 16, 2015, on the Alpine Garden Trail which is at the uppermost end of the trail that rises 1.5 miles from the Mt. Goliath Nature Area. On this day the road was closed at Echo Lake, so I hiked up 2 miles to the start of the trail, and then 1.5 miles on the trail to the upper end. I descended along the road and after about 3/4 of a mile, just headed down the open slopes to the willows and then decent forest back to the car. So these flowers are on the slopes of Mt. Goliath on the Alpine Garden Trail, on the leeward side of the rocky ridge. But then, on the open tundra before the willows on my descent on the other side of the highway I found a second group of several clumps. My first indication I was getting close was the sighting of a white wallflower. Most of the flowers were near the end of their life, so one should go earlier. I have no visited this area many times and there is a wide variety of colored wallflowers: orange, purple, pink, white, and even the standard yellow. Some are within two feet of the road.