2016 - Robert's adventures in the Northern Sierra Nevada - California

[Hoy]

Trond,

What a beautiful butterfly!     

Yes, this helps my recovery. 

I think that I will be well enough to post "Loon Lake" soon, however this weeks adventure was spent elsewhere.     

The butterfly is rarely seen as it spend most of its time high up in the canopy of oaks. This one had literally rained down!

Looking forward to Loon Lake

[Maggi Young]

Look after yourself, Robert. Take care and we will look forward to seeing you in the Forum when you are well - and have time.
All the best, Maggi

[Robert]

Loon Lake

7 July 2016

Sacramento Weather

Weather: Clear
Temperature, High: 85 F (29.5 C), Low: 58 F (14.5 C)

Placerville Weather

Weather: Clear
Temperature, High: 86 F (30 C), Low: 54 F (12 C)



A week ago Thursday, I traveled to Loon Lake. Loon Lake is located at the north end of the Crystal Range, a short distance northwest of the summit of Tells Peak. This opening photograph was taken from the north shore looking south towards Tells Peak, the highest point in the photograph.

Another landmark is Brown Mountain, located in the foreground of Tells Peak to the left of Tells Peak. The mountains in this area are composed chiefly of granite, part of the Sierra Nevada granite batholith. Brown Mountain is an ancient lava dike of basalt, very different from the surrounding mountains.



Some of my first visits to the area were during the early 1960's. At that time the Boy Scouts were building a lodge and other buildings for a new summer camp. My father and older brother were working on the construction and I was brought along. I might have been 8, + or -, so I was not of much help with the construction work. This gave me plenty of time to explore around and hopefully stay out of trouble.

In the afternoon a strong breeze generally kicks-up on the lake creating some small white caps. My favorite activity was to take a small row boat out into the lake and enjoy the waves and breeze. This might not have been the safest activity for an eight year old to do by himself.    Even then, I was a very strong swimmer and I never felt threatened by the rough waters.



My goal this day was to hike and explore the south shore trail toward the Boy Scout lodge.

This photograph was taken from the south shore looking north to the north shore. The Loon Lake dam can be seen in this photograph. Originally there were two natural lakes in this basin, Loon Lake, and to the east, Mary's Lake. Now they are just part of one large reservoir. During times of drought the two lake emerge again.

Another landmark in this photograph is McKinstry Peak (the tallest peak to the right). McKinstry Peak overlooks the Rubicon River to the north and Gerle Creek to the south. Our family built and owned a summer cabin on Gerle Creek. Needless to say I am extremely familiar with this region.



Before arriving at the trailhead, I took a quick look around the northwest shore of Loon Lake to see what I might find. The topography, geology, and habitat is very different in this area, thus a much different set of plants.



Eriogonum marifolium and Calyptridium monospermum are common species in these open rocky sites.

[Robert]

Penstemon laetus is another species seen frequently in this hot, dry, wind swept environment.



Holodiscus discolor is one of the few shrubby species seen on the dry slopes of the northwest shore.



I got a late start this day, so I was anxious to get to the trailhead and get a good start to the day.

There are a number of different Juncus species that grow in the area. Juncus multicephalus (pictured) is fairly common and is easily identified when in bloom. These I saw almost immediately as I left the truck at the trailhead.



It is now the mid-blooming season in the Sierra Nevada. Erigeron glacialis var. glacialis (i.e. E. peregrinus) is very common and seen blooming throughout the area.



I started my hike at 6,488 feet (1,978 meters). This is the transition zone for Eriogonum marifolium and E. incanum. Both species can be found in this zone, as well as plants that I suspect to be hybrids. Above and below this zone the two species can be easily be distinguished from each other, as E marifolium generally grows at lower elevations and E. incanum at higher elevations.

This plant fits into the Eriogonum incanum camp, at least right now. Eriogonum incanum will retain the woolly, gray pubescence to their leaves throughout the season. Some plants will loose this woolly pubescence and the leaves become olive-green as with E. marifolium. I frequently observe obvious gradations in the leaves pubescence in this zone.

[Robert]

Although much more forested than the north shore, much of the south shore is carpeted with high elevation chaparral. This slope is covered predominantly with Pinemat Manzanita, Arctostaphylos nevadensis.



Pinemat Manzanita is a very attractive species and very worth while in cultivation.

This species is known for its attractive fresh green foliage, red berries in the autumn, and polished deep chestnut bark. It has a low creeping, to low mounding habit of growth.



This time of year Navarretia leptalea ssp leptalea can be seen blooming frequently in our area, sometimes in huge swaths of color in semi-dry meadows.



With the mid-season bloom brings Yampah, Perideridia sp. Two species, Perideridia lemmonii and P. parshii, can be a bit tricky to distinguish from each other when their blooming season just gets started. As the season progresses, distinguishing between the two species becomes easier, however careful examination is still warranted.



Lupinus lepidus a lovely but extremely difficult species in cultivation (at least for me!). I have grown this species to blooming age only a few times. I have never been able to keep them alive after they bloom. As far as I know they are not monocarpic. I will keep trying. 

[Robert]

The semi-xeric meadows were blooming with Perideridia, Navarretia leptalea ssp. leptalea and Lupinus lepidus creating a lovely sight.



Another species seen in these meadows was Eurybia integrifolia, a late blooming "Aster" species.



The semi-xeric meadows are filled with blooming plants and "grass". Most of the "grass" is predominantly the sedge, Carex subnigricans.



Occasionally in open areas of the chaparral Calochortus leitchlinii was seen in bloom.



Another scene of high elevation chaparral.  Besides Arctostaphylos nevadensis, Quercus vacciniifolium and Ceanothus cordulatus are two dominant species in such habitats. Ceanothus cordulatus has wicked spines and is best avoided if one has to hike through this type of terrain.

[Robert]

The chaparral is punctuated by shady, semi-moist, forested areas. Here I found Chimaphila menziesii in bloom. The photograph is poor, however the species is quite attractive in bloom and worthy of the woodland garden.



In other semi-shaded areas Silene lemmonii was at its blooming peak. The nodding and lacy flowers are distinctive. This is one of a number of Silene species that grow in the Sierra Nevada.



This time of year Monardella odoratissima var. pallida is seen in bloom. It is a common Sierra Nevada species with a extensive altitude range.



Apocynum androaemifolium is a frequently seen species too. Generally this species will be found in bloom later in the season, so it was a bit surprising to see this plant in bloom.



Here is a plant of Eriogonum marifolium in bloom. Note the olive green adaxial surface of the leaves. This is very indicative of the species.

Oooppss...   I guess the Eriogonum foliage is hard to see! Most of the foliage is that of Arctostaphylos nevadensis, including the bright red new growth. 

[Robert]

Calyptridium monospermum is seen in bloom almost everywhere this time of year. It is always seen in hot, dry, rocky, sunny habitats. We have plenty of that in the Sierra Nevada.



The Paintbrushes are blooming. In dry habitats Castilleja applegatei (pictured) is frequently seen. Where there is more moisture Castilleja miniata is seen at this elevation.



It is hard to see, however Delphinium nuttallianum is pictured blooming (Also in this picture is Sidalcea glaucescens, and Erigeron glacialis). I have tried repeatedly to grow this species without any success.



As I approached the boy scout lodge, the habitat became forested and there was more moisture in the ground. Here Spiraea splendens (densiflora) was in bloom. This is a very common species, however a "must" for our garden. Seeing this species always bring very good and strong feelings to me, thus a "must" for our garden. Fortunately it is very easily cultivated even in the hot valley of California.



Mimulus moschatus. This species is always found where there is moisture. I had good success growing this species at the Placerville farm, however at our Sacramento home it is loved by caterpillars. What a shame, as this long cultivated species is very attractive and has a long blooming period.

[Robert]

I was now needing to turn back to the truck and return home, however I spotted the bright orange flowers of Lilium parvum in a semi-dry creek bed. I wanted to check on them, but first had to wade through a wait-high thicket of Bracken Fern, Pteridium aquilium var. pubescens.



I am glad that I checked! The lilies were growing on a small hummock in the middle of a pool of water. With the lilies, Cinna latifolia (pictured) was in bloom with its arching inflorescence creating a beautiful effect as the sunlight lit the blooming stems. A big surprise was a giant clump of Elymus glaucus. This was a most unlikely habitat to find this species! Seed must has washed down and the germinating plant found enough light to grow and was not flooded-out.

This was a great way to end the outing, however I was further delayed. A man was waiting for me to leave the bushes. He thought that I needed to "relieve myself" and wanted to be polite. Turns out he was the geologist who worked on the 1993 edition of the Jepson Manual. Needless to say we ended up having a lengthy discussion. I then raced back to the truck and fortunately arrived back at the farm just in time to relieve the hired help.

Now that I am recovering from my visit to the ER, I hope to be out again soon. In the mean time I will continue to rest and recover. 

[Gabriela]

I am glad you are feeling better Robert, it is good to read your report again Another very nice region with lots of species - some new to me, like Navarretia and Calyptridium. Always something new to learn about!

[Hoy]

The same say I, Robert. Glad you are able to make your postings
The Lilium parvum looks good. Think I have some seedlings going

Have you tried Chimaphila in the garden? I think it is depending on other plants/fungi like many of the "wintergreens" (Pyrola) are. A kind of hemiparasites.

[Robert]

I am glad you are feeling better Robert, it is good to read your report again Another very nice region with lots of species - some new to me, like Navarretia and Calyptridium. Always something new to learn about!

Gabriela,

Yes, there is always something new to learn about. 

I know that I will be glad to be up and 100% again. I look forward to my next outing, however I am not sure when that will be right now.

I am happy that you enjoy my reports. As to learning something new, it was a bit odd to find Elymus gluacus at such a high elevation (however, Loon Lake is within its upper altitude limit) and in such a very moist and shady site. My main association with Elymus gluacus is as a Sierra Nevada foothill species, so finding it at Loon Lake was quite an eye opener.

[Robert]

The same say I, Robert. Glad you are able to make your postings
The Lilium parvum looks good. Think I have some seedlings going

Have you tried Chimaphila in the garden? I think it is depending on other plants/fungi like many of the "wintergreens" (Pyrola) are. A kind of hemiparasites.

Trond,

Lilium parvum is one of my favorites. We have three varieties in our area. L. parvum is orange to orange-red, L. parvum var. hollidayi is pink and endemic to El Dorado County, California, and L. parvum var. crocatum is orange-yellow. I grow them from seed all of the time as they do not seem to last long in any of our gardens. In the wild I have found specimens that have had 100 or more flowers on a stem (I personally like the plants with fewer flowers). At lower elevations Lilium parvum crosses with L. paradalinum. Lilium paradalinum is very dominant as a parent. Hybrids are often best identified by looking at the bulbs, which show strong characteristics of Lilium parvum. Digging up a bulb is not the way I like to identify a given plant, however I have been able to safely examine a few wild bulbs in the ground. I have also grown my own human created hybrids. Then, of coarse, it is easy to examine many hybrid bulbs.

I have to admit that I do not have any Chimaphila in the garden right now, but I have been able to cultivate it in the past. My understand of Chimaphila is that it is at least partly saprophytic. Not sure though. This is something I need to look into! For successful cultivation a woodsy, humus soil seems necessary. I could keep it alive in an acid soil where I continually added pine needles, twigs, and other raw organic materials.

[Robert]

Pyramid Peak.

Pyramid Peak is one of the two peaks that dominate the southern crest of the Crystal Range. It is from the slopes of Pyramid Peak and Mount Price that the headwaters of Lyon's Creek are formed and begin their westward flow.

Yesterday, I hiked to Lyon's Lake near the base of Mount Price. The meadows along Lyon's Creek are still moist and the higher terrain is filled with wildflowers.

I will have a report on this outing this coming week. 

[Robert]

Lyon's Creek

Part I

Thursday, 21 July 2016

Sacramento Weather

Weather: Clear
Temperature, High:90 F (32 C)
                     Low:59 F (15 C)

Placerville Weather

Weather: Clear
Temperature, High:93 F (34 C)
                     Low:56 F (13 C)



Last Thursday I traveled to the Lyon's Creek drainage. I had hoped to reach the high upper slopes near the summit of Mount Price. Lewisia pygmaea and L. longpetala have been reported in this area and I was hoping to see them in bloom.

Mount Price is hidden from view by a high ridge, however Pyramid Peak (pictured) dominants the eastern horizon as one hikes the upper reaches of the Lyon's Creek drainage.



The trailhead is at 6,715 feet (2,047 meters) where the trail heads east and traverses a series of seasonally moist and seasonally dry meadows.



Horkelia fusca is a common feature of the drier meadows. With average snowfall this past season the all of the meadows are still fairly moist at this time. By autumn the drier meadows will be brown and dusty.



At this elevation there are still large drifts of Navarretia leptalea ssp. leptalea in bloom. When blooming in mass they create an incredible sight.



Spiraea splendens is a very common small shrub found at this elevation. It is an excellent ornamental shrubs very adaptable to cultivation at lower elevations. Good forms retain the bright pink coloration of the flowers even in warm weather. Many can have beautiful autumn foliage too.