TR: flowers on dayhike Tahoe Rim Trail in Mt Rose W. 7/9/16

[wildhiker]

We dayhiked a 5 mile section of the Tahoe Rim Trail from the Martis Peak Lookout road over to the vicinity of Rose Knob Peak in the Mt. Rose Wilderness area on the north rim of Lake Tahoe on Saturday, July 9. The wildflowers were fabulous, as were the views of the lake. No mosquitos - but it was also very windy that day. We've been doing this hike once or twice every year for the past dozen years and it is always rewarding. Lupines were at their peak in the lower part of the hike - but still many buds higher up. Great fields of tens of acres of mules ears were about at their peak on the high south facing slopes. Also saw many penstemon and some other flowers such as buckwheat and ceanothus. No pennyroyal blooming yet. Flowers should be good for another week or two. Other high ridges with volcanic soils around Lake Tahoe should also be approaching their wildflower peak, such as Castle Peak north of Donner Summit and the PCT from Donner Summit south to Barker Pass. Here are some example photos.

-Phil

Lupines between 8,000 and 9,000 feet are in full bloom:

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Fields of mules ears from 9,000 feet up on the south facing slopes for miles east of Mt. Baldy:

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The whole of the Tahoe Basin is constantly in view from Mt Baldy eastward; here, a field of mules ears is in the foreground:

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