Here are Places to See Great Flower Displays

A beautiful book
that shows all the
state's regions...

Death Valley, Death Valley North | Yosemite, Turtleback Dome, Saddlebag Lake | Mono Lake | Ring Mountain | Table Mountain

Coastline, volcanic peaks, granite domes, mountain meadows, easy access to desert environments, ... and each of these bioregions [see a Jepson bioregion map] supports a particular list of native plants that require that region's specific conditions. Within these general areas there are smaller pockets of even more specific conditions, from vernal pools to chemically-unusual soils that support populations of unusual plants. Part of the fun of being a plant detective is planning a trip to a search out plants that are unusual, going out to a new area and actually finding the plant(s). Check the Floralore book page for California's Wild Gardens...

California also has a Mediterranean climate: rain in winter and spring, then a long, dry period of summer and fall. Combine our elevation range (from below sea level to more than 14,000 feet) with that Mediterranean climate and you are guaranted a wild variety of places to explore and plants worth a visit.

Of course these many habitats each have a prime time to visit (and that may not be Spring), but there is usually always something that you can find to enjoy even in winter, from the foothills down into the Sacramento Valley and on over to the coast.

Here are Some Particular Favorites

Carson Pass (Alpine Co.): When the snow melts in late Spring, it has to be one of the best places to visit in our area. This is both good and bad: bad because weekends get to be too crowded for any feeling of solitude, and throngs of people will tend to trample vegetation; good because it puts people up close with Nature and the beautiful landscape that may inspire their continued interest. Maybe a casual visitor will bring a kid who will become so fascinated that they end up becoming a botanist?

During the 1860 Geological Survey of California, botanist William H. Brewer stationed himself at Carson Pass to inventory the vegetation. Because gold had been discovered in Coloma, it was thought that maybe the Sierra Nevada should undergo a closer look to learn what other riches might be found? [Read more...]

The reason people head to Carson Pass is easy to understand: only moderate hiking difficulty gives you access to a myriad of species. The trail south is a gentle grade, with Frog Lake only about a one-mile walk from the parking lot, and Lake Winnemucca just another mile or so beyond. Magnificent red fir, lodgepole pines, and high-elevation hemlocks line the way. [Read more...]

The ridges north of the pass are fully exposed and views are beautiful. You can eventually jump across the headwaters of the Truckee River on your way to any of several lakes in the area north of the pass, or perhaps climb Red Lake Peak to the east or the deceptive ridge to the left; they are both stop-and-go, uphill slogs, with nothing technical about them, and you get into alpine vegetation with just a short climb. [Read more...]

Iron Mountain Road: A favorite of mine, this road is on the map as Mormon Emigrant Trail. Iron Mountain Road starts at Sly Park Reservoir and takes you along an almost 30 mile drive along a ridge route. Mostly through forest, there are certainly some opportunities for nice views out to the Crystal Range and Pyramid Peak. Along the way there are many places to pull off the road to check a variety of plants, plus cedars, ponderosa, sugar, and white pines, and follow the changes from first access in June or July and on into Autumn. [Read more...]

Thunder Mountain: An area that can still be pretty much yours for the day if you choose the right day, the trailhead is located just a bit shy of Carson Spur on Hwy 88. It's marked by a trail head sign. There is a parking area, an angle gate and some fencing. Park and secure your vehicle, then head up the trail through the forest for some excellent views. [Read more...]

Wrights Lake: Invitingly close to big populations in Sacramento and the foothill communities along Hwy 50, Wrights Lake is a great place to visit on a week day! I drove up on a recent Saturday (in summer) and there were simply no parking slots left in the large parking lot when I arrived at about 9:30am! I had to change my plans and go up to Echo Summit. [Read more...]

Favorite Places...

Death Valley: Desert vegetation is amazing. Read about three visits in 2006 to different sections of the park. If you have never visited Death Valley, you are truly missing an amazing place.

Pine Hill: Gabbro soils are chemically different. Pine Hill has fine examples of some adapted plants, but you'll want to visit in April or May for the best display

Traverse Creek: Serpentine soil is heavy with nickel. Adapted plants are quite interesting. This area may not strike you as particularly beautiful, but it's an interesting place to explore.

Yosemite's Turtleback Dome is the place for rare Lewisia disepala, if you can get the timing right. That means just after the snow melts! Maybe April?

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