2017 - Robert's botanical adventures in Northern California

[Robert]

This is where Gerle Creek flows into the reservoir.



In the late 1960’s the road into Gerle Creek was realigned, paved and extended to the southern edge of the Rubicon River Canyon. From a bluff, damage from the King Fire can be seen from the top of the ridge near the end of the road.



The geology at this site is extremely interesting. Within a small area there are the remnants of a metamorphic roof pendant sitting on top of a “granite” pluton. The metamorphic rocks are almost identical to those found on the lower southern slopes of Robbs Saddle many miles to the south. These same metamorphic rocks are also most likely related to the metamorphic rock found at the south end of Loon Lake.

In addition, this ancient andesite lahar (pictured) caught my attention. It sits on top of the granite and/or the other metamorphic rocks at this site. It is clearly related to the andesite located in the Tells Peak area. Geologic formations like this are great places to look for unusual plant and lichen species.



I did not have an opportunity to explore this site, yet, however I did check on some of the plants near the road. The seedpods of Asclepias cordifolia will be ripening soon. Ascelpias is a butterfly magnet and I did see a number of butterflies.



The fruit of Prunus emarginata is starting to turn red.

[Robert]

Bromus carinatus var. marginatus is seen frequently throughout this part of the Sierra Nevada. This is a perennial species. This time of year the flowering stems have set seed and dried.



I have been plotting the distribution of Ceanothus fresnensis in El Dorado County. I was delighted to find this species at this site as well as at some additional sites around Loon Lake.



Beyond the conifers, the Crystal Range can be seen through the monsoonal moisture that had moved into the region. There were a number of rain showers while I scouted this site. Intense thunderstorms were moving through on both sides to the east and west. I stayed relatively dry and safe.

[Robert]

LOON LAKE

Last weekend I did some scouting around Loon Lake, El Dorado County, California. This is a view of Tells Peak, the most northern peak of the Crystal Range. The basin in the foreground is the upper drainage of the South Fork of the Rubicon River. There are many habitats within this area with many interesting plants.



Much of the upper drainage of the South Fork of the Rubicon River is a wild natural rock garden.



To the southwest is Robbs Peak and the lower drainage of the South Fork of the Rubicon River. This is timber country. Most of the area has been heavily logged over the last 50 years. When I was very young I remember the ancient old growth Sugar Pines, Pinus lambertiana, which grew in the area.

Loon Lake

On the south shore the main lodge of the former Boy Scout Camp can be seen (slightly left center). The lodge was constructed during the summers of 1964 and 1965. I was too young to be of much help during the construction, however I enjoyed spending parts of the summer at the construction site. There is no road into the camp and all supplies need to be hiked in or brought in on a barge.

The brown colored mountain is Brown Mountain, a basalt remnant of an ancient volcano. From this view it looks very rounded. It must have been covered in ice during the last Ice Age. I hope to get to the summit soon and look for evidence myself.



A short spur of the Rubicon Trail starts at the Loon Lake dam on the north side of the lake. Gerle Creek exits the lake at this point and flows down to the South Fork of the Rubicon River. For those that enjoy off road vehicles the Rubicon Trail must certainly be the “Crown Jewel” of El Dorado County.

The Rubicon Trail has a long history going back to the mid 1800’s. Down stream from Loon Lake along Gerle Creek, Wenthworth Spring was a popular resort and mineral spring spa. Folks came from all over to visit the springs. Wentworth Springs Road begins at Georgetown and winds its way through the mountains past the site of the Gerle Creek Summer Home Tract (my father’s cabin site), Francis and Lawyer Cow Camps then onward to Wentworth Springs. From there the route continued over the mountains to Lake Tahoe. For most of its history Wentworth Springs Road was nothing more than a dirt track through the mountains. Today the last stretch of the road from Wentworth Springs to Lake Tahoe is only passible with 4-wheel drive off road vehicles or dirt motorcycles.

[Robert]

The 4-wheel drive route from Wentworth Springs to Lake Tahoe became increasingly popular from the 1970’s onward. By the early 2000’s the route and the surrounding areas had become terribly overused and abused. Corrective measures were taken to clean up the mess with new sets of rules and guidelines for the users. Sadly the area is suffering from an overwhelming number of visitors. This dumpster is only a hundred feet or so from the “Crown Jewel” sign.

After visiting the trail in 2005 and seeing the mess first hand, I promised I would never go near the trail again. After seeing this mess and other troubling signs, I am finding it necessary to break my promise to myself and check on the condition of the trail.



The authorities are certainly attempting to inform the users of the Rubicon Trail of the rules.



There are strict guidelines and rules that need to be followed.



For me Francis Lake (can you see the lake?) and other hidden lakes are some of the “Crown Jewels” of El Dorado County.



Our native flora is certainly at some risk. Species such as Penstemon roezlii are quite common, however there are rarities and quite possibly new species that have never been seen or described in the area.

[Robert]

There are numerous varieties of Eriogonum umbellatum.



This form of Eriogonum umbellatum is growing on metamorphic rock near Loon Lake. It is most likely variety polyanthum, however I would like to see it in bloom to make sure. I pay very close attention to the local geology, and other features of the environment, as unique forms often adapted themselves to out-of-ordinary environmental conditions. In my mind this sort of specialization does not take place over a long period of time. It has been only 10,000 years or so since the last Ice Age ended and new plants recolonized areas that were once covered in ice. Rapidly changing environmental conditions, and a myriad of habitat niches created conditions ripe for unique and varied adaptations. Change is on going and continuous, conditions ripe for new forms and varieties.



The rocky xeric habitat around Loon Lake is the perfect habitat for Juncus parryi.



Rocky Basin is a beautiful natural rock garden. Very few explore or travel in this road less, trail less area. The basin looks like it is part of one continuous granite pluton, however I often find areas of andesite or the remnants of metamorphic roof pendants within areas like this. When such conditions exist, there is always a subtle, and sometimes a not so subtle, shift in the flora.



This is a beautiful scene of the northern end of the Crystal Range. Tells Peak is the tall peak right of center.

[Robert]

The diversity of lichens on metamorphic rock in this area is very noticeable. Center, Honey-colored rim lichen, Lecanora mellea, is the light brown colored lichen. Below it is the foliose lichen Blistered rock tripe, Umbillicaria hyperborea. The yellow crustose lichen is a Rhizocarpon species, most likely R. lecanorinum.



This crustose lichen, Pleopsidium flavum, was found growing on the nearby granite.



On this day, the monsoonal moisture was still hanging around. This thunderstorm developed very quickly.



This was my last parting view of Loon Lake before returning home.

[Hoy]

..............

The trail went from one meadow to the next. Each meadow is distinct with it own unique mix of plant species. The mix of species is partly determined by moisture levels, soil type, elevation, exposure, and other factors. This time of year they are gloriously beautiful.


Like the Poaceae, there are plenty of Carex species to see in a variety of habitats. Carex athrostachya (pictured) is quite common in the moist meadows in this area. Caex fracta is seen frequently and enjoys a bit drier ground. Another frequently seen species, Carex utriculata, is often found in shallow standing water.
............

Robert,

That's what I envy you "Each meadow is distinct...". The variation and the overwhelming amount of different species, especially beautiful flowering plants.


Off road motorized vehicles are not a big problem here - yet. Bikes have been in the media though as a lot of people especially around Oslo and other cities use off road bikes on the footpaths.

The rocky landscape around Loon Lake looks very familiar! Here the dominant species would be Pinus silvestris and Calluna vulgaris

Usually I did not pay much attention to grasses and sedges etc but that has changed although I can't many names yet. Some are very showy in a subtle way, like this Schoenoplectus maritimus:




Glyceria is a common genus here and Cinna latifolia (we call it huldregras) is not uncommon either.

[Robert]

Gerle Creek

I returned to the Gerle Creek area on Friday to further investigate the ridge over looking the canyon of the Rubicon River.



Darmera peltata is generally seen growing in or on the banks of creeks and streams. The roots cling tenaciously to sand and gravel in rocks crevices in shallow running water. This plant was seen growing high, and seemingly dry, well above and away from the bank of Gerle Creek. Abundant moisture was right under the surface of the ground.



Groups of Solidago elongata were blooming nearby. Solidago elongata is generally seen growing in drier habitats, as it is quite adaptable to various growing conditions.



The original route of Wentworth Springs Road follows the south side of Gerle Creek from the present Gerle Creek Bridge to the site of Francis Cow Camp. From there it continues up the drainage where it crosses Gerle Creek before reaching the site of Lawyer Cow Camp. A court ruling declared that the original easement of Wentworth Springs Road could not be revoked and access cannot be denied. Thus it is currently being used as an off road vehicles route. This is despite the fact that the bridge across Gerle Creek between Francis Cow Camp and Lawyer Cow Camp washed out about 25 years ago and was never replaced. In addition, Wentworth Springs Road was realigned and paved following a completely different route about 5 to 10 miles to the north. This occurred about 35 years ago.

Those using the old Wentworth Springs Road are required to stay within the easement. The signage helps enforce compliance.



Brown Mountain is not the only volcanic remnant in the area. There are a number of basalt outcroppings between Loon Lake and the South Fork of the Rubicon River. Outcroppings such as this one are great places to explore for interesting plants.

[Robert]

Keckiella lemmonii can be found in blooming on sunny, rocky outcroppings.



In the 1960’s a road was constructed from Gerle Creek to the south side of the Rubicon River Canyon. The road dead-ends in a remote no-mans land high on the canyon face about 5 miles short of Hell Hole Reservoir (pictured in the distance). It has been about 30 years since I last drove out to this location. The last section of the road cuts through an ancient andesite lahar. This will be another great place to explore for plants.

Back in 2003-4 I did a plant survey of the Rubicon River basin. During this period, I explored the north canyon face from Ellicotts Crossing to Hell Hole Reservoir. Elevation, geology, and climatic conditions create unique circumstances that favor unusual combinations of plants. The south side of the canyon is clearly unique too.



While examining plants, I heard a commotion in the brush. My first thought was that deer were working their way through the thick brush. Instead a black bear emerged. It took one look at me and decided it was not interested in me. It walked away into the brush on the other side of the road.



Much of the forest in the Rubicon River canyon burned during the 2014 King Fire.



Some old growth forest remnants escaped the King Fire. This Jeffrey Pine, Pinus jeffreyi, is a monster. It may not look impressive in this photograph, but this tree was very old and huge.

[Robert]

This massive Sugar Pine, Pinus lambertiana, barely escaped the fire. At one time there were old growth coniferous forests throughout the area. From the 1960’s through the 1980’s most of the old growth was logged. To my knowledge there is no old growth forest remaining, only a few isolated ancient trees in remote locations.



The flora shifts with the under lying rock strata. Of coarse, there are other factors. Within a short walking distance the under lying rock strata changes several times from the dominant granite pluton in this area, to sections of metamorphic rock, to an ancient andesite lahar. High elevation chaparral, with Huckleberry Oak, Quercus vacciniifolia, dominates this area of metamorphic rock.



The Jeffrey Pine, Pinus jeffreyi, and White Fir, Abies concolor, are somewhat stunted on this xeric metamorphic substrate.



The top of the ridge is also a thermal belt. At this elevation in our area California Black Oak, Quercus kelloggii, is generally a strong indicator of relatively warm conditions in relationship to the surrounding terrain. Odd plant association can often be seen in situations like this. On this day I say Douglas Fir, Pseudotsuga menziezii (generally found at much lower elevations in this area) growing along side Red Fir, Abies magnifica var. magnifica (a high elevation species).



The northern peaks of the Crystal Range are a short distance off to the south.

[Robert]

The road into this area was constructed back in about 1966. I remember the temporary asphalt plant that was assembled at Airport Flat near my father’s cabin for the paving of the road. The purpose of the road was to give access to the timberland in the area. There has been plenty of logging in the area over the years and a number of forest fires. Despite this, in the most inaccessible terrain, there are still a few remnants of old growth timber.



After exploring the upper terrain it was time to return home. I stopped at Gerle Creek before continuing my journey.

Next week I will hike into Smith Lake. Last year it was brought to my attention that the American Parsley Ferns, Cryptogramma acrostichoides, I saw in the Smith Lake cirque might have been Cascade Parsley Fern, Crytogramma cascadensis. I think this is correct and look forward to confirming this.

[Robert]

Robert,

That's what I envy you "Each meadow is distinct...". The variation and the overwhelming amount of different species, especially beautiful flowering plants.


Off road motorized vehicles are not a big problem here - yet. Bikes have been in the media though as a lot of people especially around Oslo and other cities use off road bikes on the footpaths.

The rocky landscape around Loon Lake looks very familiar! Here the dominant species would be Pinus silvestris and Calluna vulgaris

Usually I did not pay much attention to grasses and sedges etc but that has changed although I can't many names yet. Some are very showy in a subtle way, like this Schoenoplectus maritimus:

(Attachment Link)


Glyceria is a common genus here and Cinna latifolia (we call it huldregras) is not uncommon either.

Trond,

Yes, I have to admit that the meadow lands in California are, or at least can be, very diverse. It is amazing. I could spend the whole day in just one meadow keying out Poacea and Cyperaceae. And then each meadow can be, and often are, quite different in floral make up.

Our rocky terrain can be very different from place to place, although on Chipmunk Bluff, Jeffrey Pine, Pinus jeffreyi, is dominant.

Here in California, the rushes, Juncus, can be quite interesting and ornamental. Many make a haze of thousands of tiny purple flowers in our meadows when they are in bloom. It is very beautiful, however I have yet to capture this well in a photograph.

Is there any history of Glyceria being used as a grain in Norway?

[David Nicholson]

"If you go down to the woods today you're sure of a big surprise................."

[Robert]

Today, I was in Alpine County, California. Unfortunately, I was not in a position to investigate the flora, however I was able to take a few nice photographs.



Caples Lake with Round Top Peak in the background.



Carson Spur - One layer after another of andesite lahars. There is some rhyolite mixed in too.



Erosion has created some interesting and beautiful formations in the lahar.



All sorts of material were swept down in the mud flow.



In the distance, off to the north, Pyramid Peak (left) can be seen. On the right are Dicks and Jacks Peaks.

[Robert]

This area is a mix of granite with various layers of andesite over the granite pluton. It is a very interesting area for field botany; very different floristically, in many ways, from the western slope of the Crystal Range.



Off to the east there is layer after layer of volcanic accumulations and a number of ancient volcanoes.



Another view of the Pyramid Peak and the Crystal Range.



There were a few nice plants right at my feet.

Eriogonum umbellatum var. polyanthum



Holodiscus discolor