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

[Robert]

A few Western White Pine, Pinus moticola, can also be found in these exposed sites.



One final push up the mountain and I was at Smith Lake, elevation 8,690 feet (2,648 meters). It is very rocky, barren, and exposed around Smith Lake.



There is a Hemlock forest, Tsuga mertensiana, along the north side of the lake.

From here my journey would take me cross country (no trail) through the upper part of the Hemlock forest, then I would traverse the mountain face working my way southward and upward toward the ridgeline and summit of the peak in the distance.



This would turn out to be very interesting territory to explore.

Hieracium horridum first started to appear at Hemlock Lake.



This is a very attractive species with woolly grey foliage, stems, and phyllaries, as well as bright yellow flowers.

[Robert]

Where there was moisture Spiraea splendens grew and was still blooming.



Also near running water Erigeron glacialis var. glacialis was still in bloom too.



It was nice to see them in bloom as they are very attractive. This species also grows farther down the mountain, where they have long since finished blooming.



As I approached the upper limit of the Hemlock forest I found Senecio fremontii in bloom. The foliage of this species is very fleshy and un-Senecio like. It is a compact grower, preferring to grow at the base of rocks.



The edge of the Hemlock forest was the upper limit for Eucephalus breweri. This species also grows over a fairly wide altitude range. Here they were still in bloom. Down the mountain they too had long since finished blooming.

[Robert]

As I left the Hemlock forest and started to traverse my way up the mountain, my forward progress was slowed greatly. I had entered a boulder field of massive, gigantic rocks and cliff faces that were best avoided.

Throughout this area I frequently found two species of ferns. The first was Athyrium distentifolium var. americanum. This species seemed to prefer moisture. Running water was not visible, however at times I could hear water trickling below the giant rocks where this species grew.



The second fern, Cryptogramma acrostichoides, was found in much drier sites, often in rock crevices.



In this exposed landscape it seemed odd, to me, to find Sambucus racemosa var. racemosa. There were not many plants species growing in this rock jungle, however I found a fair number of specimens of this species on this mountain face. Red Elderberry has beautiful red fruit that were at their prime this day.



A frequent species on the lower parts of this mountain face was Carex spectabilis. They seemed to grow at any site where there was the least amount of soil and some moisture.



As I approached the summit of the mountain the number of plants decreased and the pitch of the mountain increased. At 9,502 feet (2,896 meters) I was very near the upper ridgeline. From the top of this ridge I would be able to access my prospects at reaching the bench on the southwestern face of Mount Price.

Too be continued......

[Hoy]

Although you are not finished, I have to say that I am enjoying your trip. When I look at the rocks in your pictures it strikes me that it is almost no lichens to be seen. The rocks look quite naked and "fresh-made"

[Ed Alverson]

The second fern, Cryptogramma acrostichoides, was found in much drier sites, often in rock crevices.

Robert, this Cryptogramma looks to me like it might be Cryptogramma cascadensis. Contrast this with Cryptogramma photos you posted earlier in the year, which I'm pretty sure were C. acrostichoides. But it is often difficult to say for sure from a photo. Both species grow in the Desolation Wilderness.

Ed

[ian mcdonald]

Robert, good pictures as usual. It looks tricky going. Is the rock, Granite?

[Robert]

Continuing on....



After a short push I finally arrived at the ridgeline. The summit of Mount Price loomed a short distance away. Unfortunately a deep glacial valley created a gulf between where I stood, the summit of Mount Price, and the bench that I wished to visit.



The prospects of continuing up the ridge to the false summit were not encouraging either. The "path" upward was extremely steep and would be very slow going, requiring a great deal of careful climbing on my part. In addition, a knife-edge ridge separated the false summit from Mount Price. From my perspective it appeared that a fixed line would be require for me to cross this ridge safely. I was not prepared for this.



The view from this point was spectacular. Pyramid Peak was visible, rising above the southeastern ridge of Mount Price.



In the far distance, to the south, Round Top Peak could be seen.



Far below at the end of the glaciated valley Lyon's Lake was viable to the southwest.

[Robert]

At this point I decided it would be best to return to Smith Lake. Unlike some of the other peaks of the Crystal Range, this site was rather poor in species diversity. It was more rock than anything else - very steep too. I would take may chances and see what I might find taking a different route back to Smith Lake.



High on the ridge there were scattered stands of White Bark Pine, Pinus albicaulis.



I also spotted a few blooming specimens of Ericameria suffruitocosa.



As well as some drifts of Phyllodoce breweri with some lingering blossoms.



As I worked my way back down the mountain the number of pockets with soil increased. Here I found small "gardens" filled with blooming plants. Castilleja applegatei was found blooming at several sites.

Near the lake there were many plants of Mimulus lewisii. Unfortunately they had already finished blooming. This is a fairly common species, however it would have been a delight to see them in bloom.

Hiking cross-country (i.e. off established trails) pays-off. I generally find very interesting species when I have the opportunity look around well away from the established trails. This day was no exception. Even though I was unable to reach the southwestern bench on Mount Price, I was very pleased with my results this day. Now it was time to return home.

Until next time.   

[Robert]

Robert, this Cryptogramma looks to me like it might be Cryptogramma cascadensis. Contrast this with Cryptogramma photos you posted earlier in the year, which I'm pretty sure were C. acrostichoides. But it is often difficult to say for sure from a photo. Both species grow in the Desolation Wilderness.

Ed

Hi Ed,

I think that I would be quite excited if I found Cryptogramma cascadensis on the west slope of the Crystal Range. I agree the photograph looks as if it could be C. cascadensis. It would have been very easy to confirm its identity if I would have taken the time to do so. At some point I am sure that I will return and can make a positive identification. It would be great if I could do so this season.

Perhaps you can understand that there is too frequently, at least for me, not enough time to carefully examine all the different species. Right now I often only have sufficient time to do an overview of the species on any given outing.

This past week I traveled to Tells Peak (I will report on this later) and logged 140 different species. There were at least 20 to 30 species that I did not included as there was insufficient time to examine them closely. Then Genus Carex, the Poaceae family, and a few others require considerable attention, especially this time of year, to identify correctly. I do have a number of sites I want to return to and do a more more detailed examination of the species. All in time. 

[Robert]

Although you are not finished, I have to say that I am enjoying your trip. When I look at the rocks in your pictures it strikes me that it is almost no lichens to be seen. The rocks look quite naked and "fresh-made"

Hi Trond,

I finally finished up with this outing.    I spent two days fixing a water leak on the farm. One of our 2" water lines developed a leak and needed to be fixed immediately. 

[Robert]

Robert, good pictures as usual. It looks tricky going. Is the rock, Granite?

Hi Ian,

Yes, the rock is granite, part of the Sierra Nevada granite batholith.

An it was slow and tricky going high on the mountain. The days of any mountaineering for me a long gone. 

[Robert]

A view of Forni Lake and Tells Peak. This was one of many sights from my outing last week.



This is an area of many alpine meadows. They are scattered throughout this region at various elevations. The combination of wet to dry, elevation and exposure creates a wide diversity of habitats and an incredible diversity of species.

I will be reporting on this outing this coming week as time permits. 

[Hoy]

A desolate landscape, especially at high altitude, but I like it! Some lovely plants also

[Robert]

A desolate landscape, especially at high altitude, but I like it! Some lovely plants also

Trond,

Each of the peaks of the Crystal Range has its own unique nuances of vegetation. Tells Peak is one of the less barren and floristically rich peaks within the Crystal Range. I was disappointed that I was not able to reach the summit on this outing. The number of species I encountered on this outing was overwhelming and slowed my progress toward the summit of the peak. Many days could be spent on the higher slopes of Tells Peak examining the flora. I only had an hour or so on the lower northern flank of the mountain. My best option would be to camp on the mountain for several days to investigate the plants. Sadly this is not an option for me right now, but I do the best I can with the time I do have. This is something I am thankful for. 

[Robert]

TELLS PEAK

Part I

Wednesday, 24 August 2016

Sacramento Weather

Weather: Clear
Temperature, High: 88 F (31 C), Low: 57 F (14 C)

Placerville Weather

Weather: Clear
Temperature, High: 93 F (34 C), Low: 50 F (10 C)



This outing is a continuation of my 15 June 2016 outing to Van Vleck meadows and the Highland Trail. On the 15 June outing a heavy snow began to fall and I needed to return to my truck and explore other sites lower down on the mountain.

I had not been on the Highland Trail to Tells Peak in many years and I was eager to explore the higher slopes of Tells Peak. I started out at the Van Vleck Trailhead (elevation 6,515 feet, 1986 meters) and retraced my route up the Highlands Trail to the point I had reached on my previous outing. I had a long day ahead so I did not pause except to enjoy some wild strawberries (Frageria virginiana) that were ripe.

In June this meadow was in full bloom with Camassia leichtlinii ssp. suksdorfii and Bistorta bistortoides. On this day the Camassia was ripe with seed and there was not a trace of the Bistorta.



On this day the meadow was in bloom with Asteraceae, mega sized Oreostemma alpigenum var. anderesonii and yellow Arnica.



The meadows in this area are full of low hummocks of woody shrubs primarily Vaccinium uliginosum ssp. occidentale (pictured) and Salix orestera.



For many decades the meadows were used as summer cattle pasture by the Van Vleck Ranch. The cattle are gone now, however invasive species remain such as this Tragopogon species that is producing much seed.



Horse riding is still allowed in this area, thus the possibility to introduce additional invasive species still exists. Of coarse even without horses, human activities in the area can also pose a threat to the native flora by the introduction of non-native species.

Verbascum thapsus, non-native and pictured, most likely established itself many, many decades ago.

Perhaps the most persistent invasive species in this area is Sheep Sorrel, Rhumex acetosella. From observation, it appears that the natural ecosystem can eventually re-establish itself and some invasive species will die-out. Sheep Sorrel and some other invasive species can be extremely noxious and persistent.