Despite the dry year, this was the most spectacular wild flower bloom I've ever seen in the Sierra. Granted we usually go a little later in the year to avoid the mosquitoes, but even compared to other July trips this was truly special. When we hiked in on Friday, we waded through meadows of thigh-high Lupine that had flopped over onto the trail in the rain and got our pants and shoes soaked. Every meadow we passed through - Cooper, Hay, White Sides, and Upper Relief Valley itself, was an explosion of color. On top of the moraine mound to the east of the summit of Granite Dome was a huge patch of blue flax, a flower I've only seen in one or two other locations in the Sierra.
And, after the recent rains (evidently quite heavy at times), the creeks were running high, the lakes were full, and there was running water everywhere - you'd never know we are in a drought.
All in all, a fantastic trip!
- Flowers
- More Flowers
- Upper Relief Valley
- View north from Granite Dome
- Yet more flowers
- and more...
- Clouds over Three Chimneys
