Wildflower Walks

It was a beautiful weekend in the Tahoe Area. Warm, but not too hot, clear and sunny most of time with the exception of afternoon clouds that threatened a thunder storms. A perfect weekend to get out and enjoy our wildflower displays.

Friday we took out of town friends on a short walk to Long Lake pictured above. Long Lake is located just west of Donner Summit and south of Soda Springs. It is within, or very close to, the Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Area. We drove to within a mile or so of the lake on a dirt road that is best driven in a car with reasonable clearance as the road is a little rough. Wild flowers are blooming all over the place on the walk to the lake. This is an area of granite terrain so there are lots of granite rocks to sit to take in the scenery while munching on lunch. The water is still pretty cool. We did see some rope swings that are obviously used when the water if warmer. Kid Lake and Cascade Lake are in the same area so you can wander around a little and visit a couple of other lakes. Palisade Creek Trail begins just before you arrive at Long Lake. This trail leads down to the North Fork of the American River. A good hike for someone in condition.

Sunday I went for a walk through Paige Meadows. There are still some muddy stretches along the way which are not conducive to mountain bikes. Another week of warm weather and the trails through the meadow should be dry enough for mountain bikes. I did see a few people riding through the meadow and making deep tracks in the mud, but I think you should stay out for awhile. Walking is okay, and I suggest you get out there and take in the wild flower show.

 There is a lovely field of these Blue Eyed Mary along the way

                                             Meadow Penstamon fill this field with Twin Peaks in the background   

It was stunning on Sunday. The meadows are green and flowers are blooming in abundance (more than I can remember seeing in years). A list of the flowers I tried to identify is attached.. Hopefully it is relatively accurate.

Enjoy your day,

Andy

Flowers noted in Paige Meadows June 26, 2022

Nodding Microseris
Lupine
Sticky Cinquefoil
Camas Lily
Serviceberry
Meadow Rue
Applegate’s Paintbrush
Crimson Columbine
Single-stem Butterweed
Blue-eyed Mary
Meadow Penstemon
Western Bistort
Buttercups
Nuttall’s Larkspur
Snow Plant
White Clover
Coulter’s Daisy
Sierra Lewisia
Common Mallow
Pretty Face
White Thorn
Scarlet Gila
Pussypaws
Velvety Stickweed or Forget-me-not