My favorite habitat—at or above the tree line, in northern California about 10,000 feet above sea level. Every year I make a pilgrimage in midsummer, at the height of wildflower season, to this magical place. I couldn't live there year-round, but I must get my alpine fix every twelve-month. Odd years I seek out the many spectacular hiking trails along the Highway 395 corridor from Mono Lake to Mount Whitney. Even years, like this one, I spend a few days at Carson Pass on Highway 88.
This year because of the late snows, late snow melt, and late rains, the wildflower show is mind-blowing. It's always wonderful on the trail to Frog Lake and Lake Winnemucca (six-mile round trip along the Pacific Crest Trail) and this year the flowers are in super abundance. The low, spreading phlox, from white to pink to lavender, is not past its prime, as it usually is in July, and the white heather is still to be found. Even the polemonium, Jacob's ladder, is covered with tiny blue flowers. My rarest find is Mimulus torreyi, a wee red monkeyflower that I have seen only at the eastern end of Frog Lake. I find three species of lupine, of which Lupinus breweri is the smallest and most elegant. Among the lupine grow three species of Castilleja, C. applegatei, C. miniata, and C. nana. For the yellows we have mule ears in their legions and tall golden groundsels. For purple we have meadow penstemons and Copeland's owl's clover. Many more species, at least sixty-five that I can name, crowd along the easy hike to Lake Winnemucca. The sky is full of big billowy clouds, some very black and threatening-looking, but no thunderstorm develops. The day stays cool, just perfect for hiking.
The next day I go across the highway and take the trail up over Meiss Saddle to Round Lake, about a ten-mile round trip, which follows the PCT and the Tahoe Rim Trail. I see many of the same species I saw yesterday, plus thousands of dusky horkelia and nude buckwheat. Mule ears are abundant here too. I find a whole meadow full of white bistort. Unexpectedly, I come across several red snow plants down near the lake.
Many flowers; few people; tall, silent trees. Mmmmm.
To view my Picasa album of this trip, paste this link into your browser:
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or click on this link:
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For more about alpine habitat, read Where the Wind Lives under Mini Book Reviews.