2017 - Robert's botanical adventures in Northern California

[Robert]

Where the snow had just melted, very few plants were in bloom. Some, like this Antennaria rosea, were just starting into growth.



After much effort, I finally reached 7,275 feet (2,217 meters). At this point most of the forest floor was covered with snow. If the trail was not covered with snow, it was a raging cascade of running water.



Snow tunnels were another hazard. I needed to pay close attention to the snow conditions and where I walked. It is easy to get hurt falling through thinning snow onto unknown obstacles hidden below the snow surface.



Despite the thick snow cover, I could follow the route of the trail more or less by memory, however a few tree blazes were helpful.



At one site there was a beautiful view of Pyramid Peak through one of the few clearings in the forest.

[Robert]

Not only was my progress slowed by less than ideal snow conditions, but also there was considerable debris blocking my route.



Occasionally there were small openings in the snow cover where early blooming snowmelt species were seen with their first flowers.



In this forested location Caltha leptosepala was the most frequently encountered species found in bloom. This species is generally found in moist meadows. This time of year this species can often be seen growing and blooming partly submerged in running water.



Eventually I reached a large sunny clearing where the majority of the snow had melted. The growth was well advanced with a few Ranunculus alismifolius showing some flowers.



I was hoping to work my way up to some of the sunny open screes near timberline that would likely be free of snow and contain many early blooming species. My progress was very slow as I carefully worked my way over the snow and around the storm debris from this past winter. Thunderstorms were developing quickly and the wise decision was to return to the Outback before I got soaked.

[Robert]

I hiked back out to the Outback and started my drive back to Sacramento. Near the rim of the American River canyon there are some nice vistas both up and down the canyon. Looking west (down the canyon) toward the Sacramento Valley are chimney-like rock formations. The largest formation in this area is indeed called Chimney Rock.



To the east (up stream) the thunderstorms were well developed and quickly moving westward.

The northern slope of the canyon was once very densely forested. The 1981 Wrights Fire destroyed most of the tall timber. Dense high elevation chaparral now grows on this canyon face, however many new conifers are starting to obtain some good size. In addition, many of the California Black Oak, Quercus kelloggii, stump sprouted after the fire and are now moderately sized multi-trunked trees.

Despite the thick snow cover at the higher elevations I was very pleased to return to the Lyons Creek area. Even early in the season there are many plants to see and conditions are always different, which is of coarse interesting.

Next, I will report on my 28 June outing to Loon Lake, northern El Dorado County.

Until next time……

[Robert]

A view of Loon Lake, El Dorado County, California on the ridge between Loon Lake and Spider Lake.

I'll be reporting on this outing soon.

[Robert]

A few photographs taken yesterday in southern El Dorado County, California.



Monsoonal moisture moving into the region yesterday. A few site received some rainfall. The monsoon was very weak last year.



Hackelia nervosa

A difficult species to cultivate but well worth the effort.



Viola bakeri



The tiny flowers of Collinsia torreyi ssp. torreyi.



Navarretia leptalea ssp. leptalea

[Robert]

Penstemon roezlii

[Robert]

LOON LAKE

Wednesday, 28 June 2017

Part I

Sacramento Weather
Weather: Clear
Temperature, High: 89 F, 27 C
                        Low: 58 F, 17.5 C



On Wednesday, 28 June, I traveled to Loon Lake to survey the southern shore and the old construction road to Buck Island Reservoir at the northern end of Rockbound Valley. My starting point was 6,486 feet (1,977 meters), a bit lower in elevation from the pervious week’s outing to the Lyons Creek area.



The trail along the southern edge of the lake travels through areas forested with Red Fir, Abies magnifica var. magnifica and Jeffrey Pine, Pinus jeffreyi. Where there is considerable moisture Lodgepole Pine, Pinus contorta ssp.murrayana, generally dominates the landscape.



In open, rocky terrain the landscape is clothed with mountain chaparral.



Pinemat Manzanita, Arctostaphylos nevadensis, is one among several common mountain chaparral species.



Arctostaphylos nevadensis is a very attractive xeric species. It looks especially nice scrabbling among and over the granite rocks.

[Robert]

Huckleberry Oak, Quercus vacciniifolia, is another common mountain chaparral species. This shrubby oak can often grow in low dense impenetrable thickets, often making cross-country travel difficult.



The new grow of Huckleberry Oak is often a bright coppery-red. The two-toned effect of red on green is quite pleasant.



Calochortus minimus could be seen in bloom throughout the area. There were also many budded plants that had yet to flower. These will extend the blooming season of this species for another few weeks. Unlike the plants in the Lyons Creek Basin, all the flowers I observed were fairly uniform.



Another common habitat is the rocky, dry meadows dominated by Carex subnigricans. Early in the season this type of meadow is filled with various bulbous species in full bloom as well as many tiny annuals such as Collinsia torreyi var. torreyi, Microsteris gracilis, and Mimulus torreyi.



Juncus parryi is a xeric species. This perennial, densely cespitose species is often found growing in rocky, dry flats, or in open sites among small rocks and boulders.

[Robert]

Lewisia triphylla is a tiny early blooming species. Its preferred habitat is open, rocky, seasonally moist flats and ledges. It is often seen growing in association with Carex subnigricans. It is also often seen growing with the early blooming Dicentra uniflora. I did not observe any Dicentra on this outing, however the species does grow in the area. Even in bloom Dicentra uniflora can be difficult to spot. On the other hand, Lewisia triphylla was growing and blooming abundantly. When in active growth their habitat can be very moist. Sometimes they can be seen in bloom next to running water. Later in the season their habitat will become extremely dry. This species produces a small “bulb” where it survives the dry season dormant underground.



Along with Lewisia triphylla and Calochortus minimus, Triteleia ixioides ssp. scabra is one of the common bulbous species in this area. Occasionally ssp. unifolia is seen. Subspecies unifolia carries only one leaf and the filament tip appendages are straight or incurved. Subspecies scabra will generally have two leaves (but not always) and the filament tip appendages are straight or recurved.



Microsteris gracilis was found blooming abundantly throughout the area. This common Sierra annual can be variable in flower color. Most are bright pink, however colonies of white flowered plants can be found.



Mimulus torreyi is another common Sierran annual. It prefers a slightly drier habitat than that of Microseris gracilis. Microseris gracilis can often be seen growing in seasonally moist areas with Lewisia triphylla. Microseris gracilis can also be found growing in dry site, however Mimulus torreyi is almost always found in dry locations.



The mat forming perennial Phlox diffusa is quite abundant in dry, rocky, sunny habitats. They bloom extremely early in the season and many of the plants had already finished their bloom cycle.

[Robert]

Another annual that prefers sunny dry sites is Leptosiphon ciliatus. Cheery pink flowers top the spiny inflorescence. This species is fairy easy to cultivate and will bloom for many weeks in the spring.



Eriogonum incanum is a commonly seen species in this region. This plant was quite exceptional both in its tight compact habit and its abundant well-formed inflorescences. This is one of the best examples of this species that I have found to date. Good forms of this species are well worth growing in a rock garden.



Castilleja applegatei ssp. pinetorum is a common species in this area. For whatever reason I encountered very few specimens on this day. This species is easily identified by its combination of short glandular sticky hairs and long non-glandular hairs. Subspecies pinetorum has unlobed entire leaves.



Penstemon roezlii is one of several Penstemon species found in this region.



Senecio integerrimus var. major can be found in the transition zone between the dry open meadows and mountain chaparral and the forested portions along the southern bank of Loon Lake. This biennial to perennial species is distinctly densely hairy and is frequently seen throughout the Sierra Nevada.

[Maggi Young]

Huckleberry Oak, Quercus vacciniifolia, is another common mountain chaparral species. This shrubby oak can often grow in low dense impenetrable thickets, often making cross-country travel difficult.

My word, it certainly looks to make a complete cover. Good for hiding coyote dens? (Apologies if there are no coyotes there! )

[Robert]

My word, it certainly looks to make a complete cover. Good for hiding coyote dens? (Apologies if there are no coyotes there! )

Maggi,

You are spot on! 

Most likely there was a coyote den in the area and in a Huckleberry Oak thicket. This chaparral habitat is quite common in this part of the Sierra Nevada. The combination of large boulders and chaparral shrubbery is a perfect location for a coyote den.

[Maggi Young]

Well, those old cartoons always told us the coyote was wily



- Wile E. Coyote !!

[ChrisB]

Just discovered this blog here, wonderful travelogue Robert, and great to see some of the penstemons I've grown from wild collected NARGS seed in their habitat too.  Breathtaking scenery, I can see why you keep going up there!

[Robert]

Just discovered this blog here, wonderful travelogue Robert, and great to see some of the penstemons I've grown from wild collected NARGS seed in their habitat too.  Breathtaking scenery, I can see why you keep going up there!

Hi Chris,

I am very glad to hear that you are enjoying the diary.

With my next installment you will better understand my connection to the area. I basically grew up in this area.

Recently I have been researching the history of the region as part of a much larger project. Some of the stories are quite fun and interesting and at times they have relevance to the flora of the area.

Feel comfortable asking questions about any of the plants (this applies to any reader). I have extensive field notes containing details on geology, natural history, and other observation. Part of the idea is to stimulate interest in the flora and to provide information (I'm not a businessman or collector) that might be helpful in the successful cultivation and enjoyment of the plants in our gardens.

Anyway, thank you for the nice comments.