2017 - Robert's botanical adventures in Northern California

[David Nicholson]

We do have a Forumist (DaveM; Dr Rock or to give him his full title Professor David Millward) who would be eminently capable of answering a few Geological questions in terms more easily understood by us lesser mortals 

David is co-author, with Prof. John Good of "Alpine Plants: Ecology for Gardeners" (Batsford/Timber Press 2007)

https://www.abebooks.co.uk/products/isbn/9780713490176/16079019878

[Hoy]

Interesting as usual, Robert!  I too like geology but I leave the difficult stuff to my daughter who is a geologist

The patchy geology of California is intriguing. Some parts are familiar, many are not.

I am also caught by the beauty of the high altitude trees and plants. I am used to see lingering snow patches here. Some melt during summer, some survive till the winter is back:

[Robert]

Hi David,

Thank you for the information. I could certainly use some additional information at times!

Trond,

I enjoy all aspects of Natural History.

It would be nice to have a Geologist around to ask a few questions from time-to-time. 

My brother is a climate scientist and I have another friend who is a scientist. We have all camped and backpacked into the wilderness for many summers. As you might expect, there can be some very fascinating discussions on these outings.

I'll have more on lingering snow with my next report. In the mean time, enjoy these scenes from the other day.



An interesting granite (pink) pluton with dark diorite below. The granite had very little in the way of dark minerals, some was almost white with feldspar and quartz. Of coarse, the diorite had little or no quartz!



One of the peaks at the head to the valley I visited on Thursday.

[Robert]

ISLAND LAKE

Thursday, 28 September 2017

Sacramento Weather

Weather: Clear
Temperature, High: 92 F, 33.3 C
                       Low: 58 F, 14.4 C



I arrived early Thursday morning at the Twin Lakes trailhead, 6,983 feet (2,128 meters) to prepare for my outing to Island Lake and the northern slopes of Mount Price. It was a bit chilly, 36 F (2.2 C). The meadowland near Wrights Lake were white with frost.

After a short hike through the frosty meadowland, the trail soon moved into higher terrain, a postglacial boulder land full various sized erratics.



For the most part, the vegetation is quite sparse in this area, but the scenery is spectacular.



My goal on this day was to enter the Twin Lakes Basin and then climb into the cirque on the northern slope of Mount Price.



Large colonies of Rhizocarpon lichen can give the light colored granodiorite a greenish-yellow cast as they spread over many of the rock faces in this area.



Once in the Twin Lakes Basin, much of the relatively level land is covered with moorland. Ericaceae species thrive in this habitat and grew abundantly. At this elevation, above 7,900 feet (2,408 meters), there had been many frosty nights. Many of the herbaceous species had already died back for the season.

[Robert]

The longer frosty nights have triggered many species to move towards dormancy. The foliage of deciduous species is changing color and intensifying.



Vaccinium caspitosum turns brilliant scarlet-red as autumn advances.



Good forms of Spiraea splendens can have excellent autumn foliage. This specimen was just starting to turn, and may turn brilliant scarlet-red in the next week.



Although evergreen, Kalmia polifolia can have excellent brilliant scarlet foliage. Generally, it is the older, lower foliage that turns scarlet. The younger new growth remains bright green, creating a beautiful two-toned effect.



It was not long before I arrived at Twin Lakes, elevation 7,995 feet (2,437 meters).

[Robert]

Island Lake, elevation 8,143 feet (2,482 meters), is a short distance beyond Twin Lakes. There are many small lakes and ponds between Twin Lakes and Island Lake. The lakes and ponds without trout are one of the few holdouts of the Mountain Yellow-legged Frog (Rana muscosa).  Along this section of the trail I met and talked with the biologists monitoring the Yellow-legged Frogs and removing the trout from Island Lake. Originally, there were no trout in most of the high elevation lakes of the Sierra Nevada. Yellow-legged Frogs thrived in the lakes without the predatory trout. Once trout were introduced their numbers started to decline. During the 1970’s – 80’s introduced pathogens and air pollution issues (agricultural chemicals) started to take a huge toll on the frog populations. Soon they were rarely seen and there was a fear that they might completely disappear. Fortunately, their populations seem to be very slowly recovering. The next few years may be critical for their survival.



Sorbus californica is one of several shrubs producing colorful berries this time of year.



The fruit of Sorbus californica is very attractive, especially to birds. As I hiked through the area the birds had already started to strip the fruit. At the rate the birds and other animals are working over the fruit in this area it will all be gone by the end of October. A heavy snowfall could put a stop to this.



The silvery foliage of Antennaria looks great this time of year.



Even at this elevation the late blooming Eriogonum wrightii var. subscaposum had finished blooming and was quickly setting and ripening its seed.

[Robert]

Island Lake is at the head of the valley in a very beautiful alpine setting. Around the lake there were a few Eriogonum umbellatum var. polyanthum still in bloom.



At the far northeastern end of the valley was a large area of pink granite. This granite consisted of pink, or sometimes white, feldspar and quartz with a very small amount of dark minerals. What was very fascinating about this formation was that was surrounded by dark diorite.

This might have been an interesting place to explore, but I was exhausted. I found a nice warm and comfortable place to relax. I easily feel a sleep.



After a short but refreshing nap, this was the view from my resting spot as I opened my eyes. I would not mind waking up to this every morning! It was also my next destination. I spent a short time examining the granite/diorite pluton, and then circled the far end of Island Lake, before I move up toward the cirque.



As I worked my way into the cirque, the dormant season was well advanced. Athyrium distentifolium var. americanum as well as many other species had been frosted down numerous times and were ready for the snow to fall and accumulate.



At this elevation I started to encountered Cryprogramma canadense. This species is completely deciduous so they will be going dormant shortly.

[Robert]

Against a rock Penstemon hetrodoxus var. cephalophorus was still trying to bloom. At this stage it was easy to observe the 2 or more tiers of flowers on each stem that helps distinguish this subspecies.



Perched on the side of the steep slope was a pool, elevation 8,395 feet (2,559 meters), perfect habitat for Mountain Yellow-legged frogs. I did not find any, however there were many interesting plants, most well on their way to dormancy. There were many Primula tetrandra lining the edge of this pool. It must have been a gorgeous sight when they were in bloom earlier in the season.



Now I was at the base of the cirque and a whole fascinating world of alpine plants lay before me. I had also run out of time, a theme that is all too familiar to me. I was not displeased, I taken the long route to get to this point and had also taken some time for a much needed nap. Next year I will take the direct route to this site and have plenty of time to explore this area.



Of coarse the scenery was very spectacular. The whole area was partly surrounded by a “U” shaped ring of high peaks and knife-edge ridges, a cirque.



Below me to the west was a small, unnamed lake. The biologist told me it had never been stocked with trout and had a small surviving colony of Sierra Nevada Yellow-legged Frogs.

[Robert]

The small lake was very interesting with many fine species, however the plant find of the day was Anemone occidentalis.



I rarely encounter this species on the west slope of the Crystal Range. It is a beautiful early blooming species with white flowers. The seed heads are also attractive in the autumn.



It was late in the season for butterflies to still be in flight, however I did see a few Hoary Comma, Polygonia gracilis. This was not the great surprise for the day. I was super excited to spot an extremely interesting bee species. I am not sure of the species, however with a hairy blue-green and black-striped abdomen it was very striking. As far as I am aware there are 60 to 80 or more bee species in the Sierra Nevada. Most are not social.

I also noted the browsed grasses in the area. Who was responsible? It was not long until I spotted a Yellow-bellied Marmot with a huge shuck of grass in its mouth. It was a majestic sight as it paused on the top of a rock outcropping. It was to far away for a photograph, however I got a good look at it through the binoculars.



Off to the west there was a wonderful view to the Crystal Basin and the Great Valley well in the distance.



In some places last season’s snow never melted.

[Robert]

Where the snow had recently melted, last year’s dry foliage of Athyrium distentifolium var. americanum had now been exposed. This late in the season it will likely never break dormancy and will sleep for another season under this year’s coming winter snow pack.



This Pedicularis species had broken dormancy and had fresh young growth. I do not think they will last long this time of year. I guess that they will try again next year too.



Rhodiola integrifolia ssp. integrifolia can also have attractive autumn foliage. I am always pleased to see them this time of year with their pretty burnt red-brown-yellow foliage.



Before I left the area, I took one last look at the majestic peaks that surrounded me.



Surprise! A photograph of Robert. One of the biologists took this photograph of me between Twin Lakes and Island Lakes.

The plants in the high country are certainly preparing for the snow and dormant season. Despite this it is a great time of year to visit the high country. Some of my most memorable extended trips and outings have been in early to late October. Over 100 taxa of vascular plants were logged on this outing as well as many lichens, birds, insects and mammals.

Now the question is, where will I go this coming week? There are plenty of great choices.

Until next time…….

[ian mcdonald]

Robert, a great report as always. The photos. really give the impression of the surrounding area. I have come across a site by the British Geological Survey (BGS). One of the components is a map of the UK. If the cursor is moved to an area then clicked, a description for that area is given. Perhaps of no interest to you but maybe the American Geological society have an equivalent? Also, this may be of interest to UK members who wish to know the geology of an area. Perhaps the un-named lake ought to be Roberts lake?

[David Nicholson]

Great stuff Robert. Nice to see a photograph of you, looking much younger than I had envisaged.

[Maggi Young]

Wow Robert! This was a really exceptional report - a quite  beautiful area -one of the most lovely you have shown us to my mind - and a portrait of you  as well - a pleasure to "meet" you  in the flesh!

[hamparstum]

Robert, fall colors and glow are striking! It is as if nature suddenly starts shifting from blooms towards foliage to provide us with fond memories...what is also quite striking the change in the angle of light. Pictures now show a typical more horizontally slanted glow. It is also seen in the background stones and boulders. Although I also live in a similar type of environment ( fortunately) I hadn't noticed this change how it affects the aesthetic values until I watched your last set of pics. Rhodiola is particularly beautiful. Also the fall colors of deciduous ferns like Cryptogramma. All of this helps me immensely in thinking out my wild gardens project, while my recently arrived seeds start their journey... Rocks as part of permanent structures in a rock garden could be looked at with a "horticultural/landscape" eye. Although their names will differ according to their mineral contents, yet those very similar in color, texture and glow could be lumped together. A new way of classifying rocks....hmm. Thank you very much for this later set. I suspect that there won't be much soon, for some months ahead ,because eventually weather will drive you downwards. Still whatever you show us, I'm following eagerly...

[Robert]

Hi Ian,

There are all sorts of things on the internet, so maybe there are such interactive maps.

There are plenty of some unnamed lakes in Desolation Valley that might need a name. 


David,

Yes, I have always looked "young". Not bad for 62. A few days ago I pounded-out a concrete foundation with a sledgehammer. I was tired but I can still do hard physical labor - more important I can still hike and climb in the mountains easily.


Maggi,

Thank you for the compliment. I'll do the best I can to keep my standards high. I certainly want everyone to enjoy the reports. Right now some of my new work keeps me in the same general area - the details could still be very interesting.

Arturo,

Yes, it is a beautiful time of year to be in the high Sierra Nevada. There have been two snowstorms already this season. The snow quickly melted, but as you say, my time is limited as a much more powerful storm could show up any day.

This coming outing will be to Sylvia Lake. My first trip to Sylvia Lake was in 1960. If I have time I will climb Pyramid Peak. Mount Price is near by and has very interesting plants ........, but I think many of the same species could be on the southern flank of Pyramid Peak. It will certainly be interesting to look around anyway. I have already found some unusual species on the west slope of the Crystal Range this year - not rare species, species at are not known to grow in the area - all very interesting.