2017 - Robert's botanical adventures in Northern California

[Robert]

I can count on finding Lilium washingtonianum ssp. washingtonianum in bloom on Peavine Ridge the first week of July. In 30-40 years it has never failed.



Lilium washingtonianum ssp. washingtonianum has a wonderful clove / carnation scent.



The annual Collomia grandiflora is in bloom. It is easy to cultivate. I also understand that it has naturalized in Europe. An invasive species?



There is still plenty of snow on the Crystal Range. Early day convection that eventually built into thunderstorms along the crest during the afternoon.



Snow capped peaks off to the southeast.

[hamparstum]

Thank you Robert for all your explanations...its such a blessing...
> Jeeps and Co > . I guess that what you are suggesting is that from the environmental point of view keeping people restricted to a trail at least reduces overall trampling. A very good point. It would be a sort of toll that the environment pays for having people that love Jeeps around. Of the other kind, those that dislike to being told their limits...well sheriffs know how to deal with them...at least that is what we were shown in our childhood about the wild west movies...that seems to linger even now and has spread worldwide... I still ask myself why more people can't enjoy in far more quiet and less intrusive way...
     

[Hoy]

At last I have cought up with you, Robert! Being weeks behind you I have not commented for a long time. You have so much to show and the differences between the locations you visit is astonishing. I am at the summer house now and here it is rather dry - no rain for weeks although they have gotten a lot of it north and east of us. Only a few drought tolerant species are still in flower. Not much time to sit inside either!

[ChrisB]

Thank you Robert, I will read this from now on, such marvellous wild space you enjoy,  I am successfully growing delphinium nuttalianum here, in my sandy, dry soil but only a little above sea level in terms of elevation. I thought it was an annual but mistaken as it has returned again this year (seed from wild collected NARGS).  Love the Lilium washingtonianum!  Spectacular.  Thanks again for sharing your journeys with us.

[Robert]

Thank you Robert, I will read this from now on, such marvellous wild space you enjoy,  I am successfully growing delphinium nuttalianum here, in my sandy, dry soil but only a little above sea level in terms of elevation. I thought it was an annual but mistaken as it has returned again this year (seed from wild collected NARGS).  Love the Lilium washingtonianum!  Spectacular.  Thanks again for sharing your journeys with us.

Hi Chris,

Your comment is very encouraging. This diary is actually part of a much larger writing project (at times unedited, crude drafts), however from your comment it appears I am on the right track.

Like the late Dick Proenneke in Alaska I am doing the best I can to raise awareness of the flora and natural history of Crystal Range in El Dorado County, California. I am, more or less, reclusive and the SRGC forum is the perfect venue for me. I am so thankful! 

Yes, as far as I know all the California Delphiniums are perennial.

Thank you again for your encouraging comments.

[Robert]

At last I have cought up with you, Robert! Being weeks behind you I have not commented for a long time. You have so much to show and the differences between the locations you visit is astonishing. I am at the summer house now and here it is rather dry - no rain for weeks although they have gotten a lot of it north and east of us. Only a few drought tolerant species are still in flower. Not much time to sit inside either!

Trond,

So pleased to hear from you! It sounds like you have been very busy and still are. As you can see I have had plenty to do myself. My next outing will be to the Red Peak area of the Crystal Range. I hope that I can get across Tells Creek! (a lot of snow melt still).  There is a geologic roof pendant – a band of older metamorphic rock caught between the granite intrusions – in this area. There is a noticeable shift in the flora. Years ago I would camp at Lake No. 3 at the base of Red Peak. It is a great place to visit.



Red Peak

[Robert]

Thank you Robert for all your explanations...its such a blessing...
> Jeeps and Co > . I guess that what you are suggesting is that from the environmental point of view keeping people restricted to a trail at least reduces overall trampling. A very good point. It would be a sort of toll that the environment pays for having people that love Jeeps around. Of the other kind, those that dislike to being told their limits...well sheriffs know how to deal with them...at least that is what we were shown in our childhood about the wild west movies...that seems to linger even now and has spread worldwide... I still ask myself why more people can't enjoy in far more quiet and less intrusive way...

Arturo,

I am glad that I am not part of the decision-making process here in California. The population bomb is exploding and I can see no way that the environment can be stabilized. In our Sacramento neighborhood we live with “Silent Spring”. 10 years ago there were many Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera Order insects. Now they are almost gone. Same with the wild bird species. The snakes, lizards, frogs, etc. are all long gone. Even the pollution tolerant mosses have died off. This is scary and nobody seems to notice or care.

Yesterday (Sunday) I visited El Dorado National Forest. I generally stay away from the forest on the weekends. I was not surprised that the forest had turned into a temporary urban environment, complete with massive crowds, stop and go commuter like traffic jams, car exhaust, loud noise of all sorts (loud music, motorcycles without mufflers, yelling and screaming, etc.). The “law” was out in force to maintain order. Fortunately 99.9% do not have the gumption to travel beyond the established roadways and designated camping sites. Needless to say the environment suffers greatly in these area. There is little that can be done by those in charge of managing the situation. It is a tsunami of humanity.



Wrights Lake and the Crystal Range (facing Northeast). Red metamorphic rock of roof pendant can be seen in the distance. The photograph was taken yesterday.

[Maggi Young]

The photo of Red Peak is a cracker, Robert, you excel yourself!

I do not always have time to comment on your work here but I am reinforced in my  opinion of your forum diaries by the number of folks reading  them.  Thankfully there are those who do take the time to comment. Marvelous to have this archive of your diaries building here for all to access.
Several people I've spoken too have mentioned how much they enjoy these pages,  although they are part of the 'invisibles'.  Of course, the majority are silent - unlike  those on a weekend at some of the lovely spots you show, it seems!

[Robert]

Hi Maggi,

Yes, thank you for the kind words.

The photograph of Red Peak was taken in October 2003 at Lake Number 3. That was the view when I opened my eyes in the morning.

I do understand that most readers do not comment. Of coarse nobody should feel obligated to participate in any discussion, however stimulating discussion can enhance everyone’s knowledge. During the busy season (now) I focus my attention on this diary and have a very difficult time keeping up with the other postings on the forum, so few comments is understanding.

It is great that the complete diary is achieved. I certainly have progressed over the years! My first entries remind me of the entries made by Dick Proenneke in his Twin Lakes diary. Dick’s diary and his ‘home” movies (he built and lived in a cabin in the Twin Lakes Wilderness) were instrumental in the U.S. congress voting to create the Twin Lakes Wilderness in Alaska.  I am completely inspired by Dick’s efforts and that somehow my efforts can lead to something good for as many as possible. At least this is my intent.



My intent is to return to Lake No. 3 next week.



It is a long hike into Lake No. 3 and Red Peak. There is a complete shift in the flora on Red Peak. It would be great if I can arrive early and spend a good part of the day exploring the mountain. There is much to see on the way into Lake No. 3, so who knows?



Silver Peak is the next peak to the north of Red Peak in the Crystal Range ridgeline. It is composed of silvery granite. The flora has similarities to that of Red Peak, however like the rock, the proportions and makeup do differ.



From the summit of Red Peak there is a fantastic view of Rockbound Valley and Upper and Lower Lelands Lakes.

[David Lyttle]

I do understand that most readers do not comment. Of coarse nobody should feel obligated to participate in any discussion, however stimulating discussion can enhance everyone’s knowledge. During the busy season (now) I focus my attention on this diary and have a very difficult time keeping up with the other postings on the forum, so few comments is understanding.

It is great that the complete diary is achieved. I certainly have progressed over the years! My first entries remind me of the entries made by Dick Proenneke in his Twin Lakes diary. Dick’s diary and his ‘home” movies (he built and lived in a cabin in the Twin Lakes Wilderness) were instrumental in the U.S. congress voting to create the Twin Lakes Wilderness in Alaska.  I am completely inspired by Dick’s efforts and that somehow my efforts can lead to something good for as many as possible. At least this is my intent.

Hello Robert,

I do enjoy your account of your botanical adventures in Northern California especially they way you place the plants in context of the geology and landscape. Your posts are always considered and informative and people such as myself can learn a lot about the flora of California. I have three handbooks of California wild flowers by Philip A. Munz which I purchased as remainders several years ago so now I  have a reason to take them out of the bookcase and read about the plants you post. It seems that these days many forumists who would have perhaps participated in SRGC Forum discussions have migrated to Facebook. I am not sure why people are so eager to support the commercial activities of Mr Zuckerberg and his associates; perhaps it is the instant gratification the "Like" button provides which feeds the narcissistic tendencies of humankind. Please keep posting Robert - I sure there are many more places and plants you can show us.

[Robert]

Hi David,

Thank you for the thoughtful comments.

How things change. Back in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s Philip “Munz” was the authority in California botany. His work was at times highly technical, but always excellent. Now the updated Jepson Manual is generally the field manual of choice. The pace of change seems to quicken and now even the new Jepson Manual is becoming dated. Keeping current is a constant effort.

Continuing my diary on the SRGC Forum is a priority. I put much time and effort into the diary. I also continue to hone my skills in an attempt to raise the bar of excellence to the best of my ability. I generally do not take classes, however I am highly motivated to learn about California butterflies. In a few weeks I will take a class on this subject. Slowly I hope to incorporate other aspects of natural history into the diary. It seems relevant as our gardens are a microcosm of the natural world and have many aspects. Anyway, I endeavor to create something that is an asset for the SRGC.

As for Facebook…

Supporting Facebook in any way is completely contrary to my values.

[Robert]

I was tying-up some loose ends in the Wrights Lake area before my next outing to Lake No. 3 and Red Peak next week. It is going to be a banner year for the wildflowers in the high country this year. This week I will I share a few scenes from the Wrights Lake – Lyons Creek area as the blooming season moves into its peak season.

The first non-natives to settle in this area were the Wright Brothers. Two years after Johnson’s cut-off was established in 1848, the Wright brothers, Bert and Ed, traveled the Peavine Ridge route over the Sierra Nevada looking for a mountain dairy site. They found a lake (now Wrights Lake) and each filed on 640 acres of land near and around the lake. Their winter dairy was located near Galt, California (south of Sacramento, California), and each spring they drove their cattle up Peavine Ridge as the snow melted. The summer dairy was in operation for decades and a number of cabins, sheds and barns were constructed near Wrights Lake



Where moisture is abundant Mertensia ciliata var. stomatechoides can be found growing in lush stands.



Heracleum maximum is another moisture loving species. This Apiaceae species is known for its large bold leaves and umbels of white flowers.



Here in the higher terrain the plants do not waste time. Veratrum californicum var. californicum can be found in full bloom. 3 weeks ago many were just emerging from the ground after snow melt.



Catilleja miniata var. miniata is a very common Paintbrush species seen in this area.

[Robert]

“Bud” Wilson arrived later and established his summer ranch in the area of Lyons Creek and the South Fork of Silver Creek. From my research, it appears that at one time cleared pastureland extended from North of Wrights Lake southward to the South Fork of Silver Creek and up, at least a portion of Lyons Creek. A Mr. Sawyer arrived shortly after the Wright Brothers and established a dairy “at the base of Pyramid Peak”; I presume the site of Lake Sylvia.



Given the extensive ranching activities in the area it is not surprising that invasive species such as Sheep Sorrel, Rumex acetosella, are well established throughout the area. The land in this scene was once pastureland, however Lodgepole Pine, Pinus contorta ssp. murrayana, are beginning to encroach and infill the pastureland.



They are also many stumps scattered throughout the old pastureland. It would be interesting to date the stumps as well as do some core sampling to postulate vegetation shifts over time.



In drier terrain large drifts of Navarretia leptalea ssp. leptalea cover sunny areas.



Triteleia ixioides ssp. scabra is an abundant Themidaceae.

[Robert]

The mat-forming Lupinus lepidus var. sellulus is well established in the old pastureland. It is also seen frequently along the first sections of the Lyons Creek trail.



On a bit higher ground large clumps of Wyethia mollis are in full bloom.



Often sharing the same site with the Wyethia is the minty scented Monardella odoratissima ssp. pallida.



The low mounding Phacelia hydrophylloides is generally seen in dry, shaded sites.



The population of Calochortus minimus at Lyons Creek can be highly variable. Here Calochortus minimus is seen with the annual Nemophila maculate, Five Spot.

[Robert]

Ipomopsis aggregata ssp. aggregata is not an abundant species in the Wrights Lake area. Occasionally the species is seen on dry, semi-shaded banks.



Now that we have had 2 years of average, and much above average precipitation, Delphinium nuttallianum can be seen throughout the area. After many year of drought this species had retreated to only the most favorable sites.



Graceful Potentilla, Potentilla gracilis, is quite showy. At high elevations, the yellow are consistently bright yellow.



Penstemon rydbergii var. oerocharis can be found blooming in seasonally moist meadows.



There are some outstanding stands of Eriophyllum lanatum var. grandiflorum on the grade up to the Lyon’s Creek trailhead.