Carson Pass Early Season Wildflowers Blog

Wild Macro | Natural History Fine Art Photography by Timothy Boomer

June 8, 2018 - Carson Pass Early Season Wildflowers

Longhorn steer's head is simply one of the coolest wildflowers I've ever seen. It may not be the most vibrantly colored plant, but how can you resist the charm of a flower that resembles a miniature bovine skull? Indeed, I couldn't resist last Sunday, when I made the long drive up to Carson Pass. I noticed a great spot for this species last year, but I had arrived a bit too late in the season, and they were already withering away. This time, I visited on the first weekend in June and was pleased to find several specimens in great condition. A few were past prime, but others were still just coming into bloom, so this upcoming weekend should be good too.

These little botanical gems are scattered throughout the Sierra, but this particular collection can be found at 38.699595, -120.001087. Park at the Meiss Trailhead on the north side of highway 88 and begin hiking west along the Pacific Crest Trail. After about 3/4 of a mile, you'll reach a small lodgepole pine forest. The steer's head will be on both sides of the trail. This is a good place for western spring beauty as well. I hope it goes without saying for my readers, but if you choose to explore this area, please tread carefully; the plants are small, delicate, and somewhat inconspicuous.

Honestly, I was happy just to see and photograph these unique plants at all, but it turns out I was in for a bigger treat. As I was examining the forest floor in search of suitable specimens, I came across what I initially mistook as the flowers of two plants tangled together. Upon closer inspection, however, it became clear that I had discovered a double-flowered steer's head! I'm not sure how rare this genetic variation actually is, but I'm impressed by any plant that dares to defy its own specific epithet. In this case, I'm referring to uniflora, which translates to "one flower."

After I had finished up with the steer's head, I packed up my gear and continued along the trail. It's still way too early to gaze upon the vast floral displays for which Carson Pass is famous, but that doesn't mean there's nothing going on. As I made my way up the gravelly switchbacks that followed, I saw spreading phlox, wavyleaf Indian paintbrush, stickseed, Sierra wallflower, Brown's peony, and Beckwith's violet.

Beckwith's violet was actually the second reason I ventured up highway 88 so early in the season. I found this attractive wildflower at Martis Creek (near Truckee) three weeks prior, and I was excited by the prospect of photographing them at Carson Pass too. What I wasn't expecting is how different the same species would appear at these two places just over 40 miles apart. The flowers here were larger and more vibrant, and the leaves were hairier and more conduplicate (folded). Alas, most of these violets were already beginning to wither last weekend; I had to search awfully hard to find any in decent photographable condition.

A bit further along, the trail passes by a small pond. As I approached this area, I was greeted by what sounded like a hundred frogs all singing their hearts out. They stopped when I moved closer, but started up again every time I held still long enough. I slowly crept my way around the pond, hoping to catch a glimpse of the alleged amphibians. However, they continued to elude me, so eventually I turned my attention back to the wildflowers. Bright yellow cinquefoils were all over the place, but I was more curious about a little white flower I had never noticed before. It turned out to be California Hesperochiron. That name doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, and I'll admit it's not the showiest thing around, but it's always nice to add a new species to my photographic collection. Well, that's about it for this trip, but I'm sure I'll be back at Carson Pass again before long. Thanks for looking!

Previous Entry: May 15, 2018 - Sonoma Coast Wildflowers

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