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

[Robert]

The moist meadows were alive with blooming plants. Near small creeks or where ever there is moisture during the complete growing season Aquilegia formosa was in bloom.



Bistorta bistoroides is a complete water hog. Many of the meadows must have been shallow lakes or ponds when the Ice Age ended. Since then they have filled with soil and sediment, however they can still be marsh-like in the spring after snow melt. This is the habitat where Bistorta is found.



Lilium parvum is one of my favorite species along this trial. There are a number of small creeks that flow into Lyon's Creek and Lilium parvum can be seen growing and blooming in large stands in this type of habitat.



Senecio triangularis grows in large stands in the same type of habitat as Lilium parvum. You can see the stem of Lilium parvum next to the Senecio in this photograph.



Lupinus polyphyllum is still another moisture lover. Sometimes they can be seen growing where the soil seems quite dry. In such situations there is always abundant subterranean moisture.

[Robert]

Aconogonon phytolaccifolium grows where there is considerable moisture. This polygonaceae grows to about 1 meter tall and tends to be found is grassy meadows with species such as Cinna latifolia or Glyceria elata.



Castilleja miniatus is a very common species in this area. It will be found where there is more seasonal moisture than many of the other Castilleja species that are native to California prefer. It too tends to be found in grassy meadows, however it is more likely to be seen with Danthonia californica, Phleum alpinum or Agrostis idahoensis along this trail.



At this time of year Erigeron glacialis var. glacialis is the most frequently seen Asteraceae species in bloom. As I left the trailhead I did see one Symphyotrichum spathulatum in bloom, however their peak blooming season will not arrive for another 3 weeks or so.



Calochortus minimus grows in great abundance and variety in this area. I suspect that many of the plants in this area are hybrids, crosses with Calochortus nudus. I would very much like to study the Calochortus populations in this area in much more detail. A this time the best I can do is observe and count nodding or upright seed capsules. A much more detailed study would be extremely fascinating.



At times the trail traverses drier terrain. Here Lupinus lepidus is the most commonly seen Lupine species. Lupinus fulcratus is also seen in this area, however they are generally found in small opening in the coniferous forest where there is much more duff on the soil.

[Robert]

Potentilla gracilis has bright yellow flower that are very showy. I have been cultivating this species in the garden for a number of years now. It is very easy to grow and produces waves of flowers throughout the growing season. In our Sacramento garden it is producing its second wave of flowers for the season despite the 40 c weather. It will bloom again in the late summer-autumn time frame. All of this is with irrigation of coarse. Under drought conditions it may survive by going completely dormant.



Eventually the trail starts to gain altitude quickly. Here the habitat is much drier and the plant species found are very different.



As the trail starts to rise Arnica mollis can be seen in bloom. The woolly gray rosettes of foliage are beautiful as they ooze across the granite rocks. Antennaria rosea can be seen growing over small rocks in this area too.



Eremogone kingii var. glabrescens blooms on the rocky, dry, sunny slopes where the rock ferns Cryptogramma acrostichoides and Pellaea bridgesii are often seen.



Eriophyllum lanatum also enjoys the sunny, dry slopes and was at peak bloom this day.

[Robert]

Cryptogramma arcostichoides is always found growing in rock crevices.



Pellaea bridgesii is found in the same hot, dry, sunny habitat as Crytogramma arcostichoides. It too is always found growing in rock crevices in this area.



This dry, open, sunny terrain is the habitat of Calochortus leitchlinii.



Eucephalus breweri is a rayless asteraceae having only discoid flower heads. It is a late blooming species. I saw only a few plants in bloom this day.



Eventually the trail climbs very steeply towards Lyon's Lake. The views to the Valley and of Pyramid Peak are spectacular along this stretch of the trail.

To be continued.........

[Maggi Young]

Robert, you cannot imagine how wonderful it is for those of us who will never have the chance to explore your countryside to be able to enjoy your trips to see the range of plants and see your explanations of the various habitats.  Thank you!

[Robert]

Continuing from my last posting....

The Lyon's Creek trail climbs steeply from the Lake Sylvia junction. Fortunately it is only a short distance until the trail levels at about 8,350 feet (2,545 meters). Here there is a small lake (or pond) surrounded with Ericaceae species.



My timing was perfect as they were all in full bloom.



Drifts of blooming Phyllodoce breweri mingled with the other species.



From here it is only a short walk to Lyon's Lake, elevation 8,375 feet (2,553 meters). The Lake is bordered with moorland full of Ericaceae species. On the dry, sunny, rocky, slopes surrounding the lake large drifts of Penstemon newberryi were in full bloom creating a riot of color.



This is Penstemon newberryi at its best.

[Lesley Cox]

Wonderful to see these plants growing in their habitat.

[Robert]

Finally at Lyon's Lake it was time for a rest. From the trailhead it is a little over 5 miles (8km) to Lyon's Lake. Most of the elevation gain is gentle, except for the last steep push to Lyon's Lake.



I did not rest long as there was much to attract my attention. Low hummocks of Ledum columbianum were blooming with racemes of white flowers.



Mingling with the Phyllodoce and the pink flowers of Kalmia polifolia were the white bells of Cassiope mertensiana.



In addition, Vaccinium cespitosum grew in with the blooming Cassiope (pictured). In the autumn, the Vaccinium turns brilliant scarlet. The color contrast with the bright green of Cassiope and Phyllodoce is stunning.



However this day I was able to enjoy the Cassiope, Phyllodoce and Ledum all blooming together in drifts along the lake edge and stream border.

[Robert]

My goal this day was to reach a bench near the summit of Mount Price. First I needed to climb the cliff face on the east side of Lyon's Lake (right side of the photograph).



I have climbed this cliff face in the past. It is not as difficult as it might seem, however there was still about 1,600 feet (488 meters) of climbing to reach the top of the cliff face and the somewhat level bench above. From there it is an easy stroll to the summit of Mount Price. Sadly time had expired and I needed to return home. I have to admit that I get a thrill out of such a climb, but I did not want to get caught up there in the dark. I have been there and done that too near the summit of Round Top Peak. Not much fun.... so I hiked back down the trail to the truck.

Until next time.....

[Robert]

Wonderful to see these plants growing in their habitat.

Hi Lesley,

I am glad that you are enjoying my postings. Sadly my current working situation (sometimes the lack of paying work) is disrupting my planned outings. I will be out of town and away from home for 2 weeks    however I might be able to get one good outing in. Otherwise I will have to settle for roadside botany. This can be interesting too, and I have a few good ideas. We will see how it goes.

Thank you again for your encouraging comment.

[Lesley Cox]

Hi Robert, what a fabulous place this is. I love seeing the Cassiope, Phyllodace and related plants. I wish they grew so well for me.

[Robert]

Robert, you cannot imagine how wonderful it is for those of us who will never have the chance to explore your countryside to be able to enjoy your trips to see the range of plants and see your explanations of the various habitats.  Thank you!

Maggi,

For the fun of it, I am working on a flora of the Lyon's Creek drainage. This is a challenging and interesting project and I am extremely please that others can benefit from the data I am accumulating. Maybe in another 3-5 year I will have enough information - you know I need to slow down and stay out of the ER    however I am back to 100% now. Now I need to stay out of trouble - it is 108 F (42C) today and I was having so much fun out in the garden - my wife had me quit and hosed me down in the shade. This felt great but you can see the sort of trouble I can get myself in. 

[Robert]

Hi Robert, what a fabulous place this is. I love seeing the Cassiope, Phyllodace and related plants. I wish they grew so well for me.

Lesley,

I know what you mean. The Cassiope, Phyllodoce, Kalmia, and Vaccinium are all very tempting to grow in the garden. For us, they all eventually seemed to get distressed sooner or later and die - especially when it is 108 F (42C) ( I should say the choice ones seem to die    ).  I have had some limited success growing them from seed (they are very slow 3-5 year before they bloom). Our native species seem to do best. I have some 4 year old Phyllodoce breweri coming on that might bloom this coming spring. My Vaccinium caspitosum of the same age died this spring. I was hoping to imitate the autumn color Vaccinium - Phyllodice combo.       Oh well, I will need to gather more Vaccinium seed this autumn and keep trying....

[Gabriela]

Robert, I second Maggi and Lesley and everything they said  I particularly like this region around the Pyramid Peak - too bad you couldn't climb all the way up to the top. But I know it's best to be safe on the mountain. So many wonderful species!

[Robert]

Robert, I second Maggi and Lesley and everything they said  I particularly like this region around the Pyramid Peak - too bad you couldn't climb all the way up to the top. But I know it's best to be safe on the mountain. So many wonderful species!

Gabriela,

Thank you so very much for your comments.       

At this time I already know my schedule and will have to satisfy myself with roadside botany for the next two weeks.

Yea, getting stranded on Round Top Peak with limited gear was not much fun. It may have been summertime, but a cold and strong wind blew all night. I found a narrow avalanche shute and tucked myself next to a granite rock protected from the wind. It was a cold sleepless night but it worked. Botany is much more fun. 

It would have been good to see the Lewisias in bloom but there will be another time.