Grass Lake is a large bog in the Eldorado National Forest near Luther Pass on Highway 89 south of the town of Meyers. From the CPNS El Dorado Chapter website: “Grass Lake is the largest Sphagnum bog in California and is considered the best representative floating bog in the Sierra Nevada. This is a large site with a complex association of habitats ranging from aquatic and meadow types through upland forest types. This diversity, along with a largely intact watershed surrounding the marshlands and meadows, contributes to the value of this site. This site supports a number of boreal plant species unusual in the Sierra Nevada. In addition, several species of plants occur locally at substantially lower elevations than typical elsewhere in the Sierra Nevada. Along with a few uncommon or disjunct plants, the wetlands support three species of carnivorous plants and four species of orchids. The plant associations are relatively pristine with virtually no introduced plants in the bog and meadow associations. The bog and meadow associations are diverse, with 11 types described.” For more information on the plant associations check out https://research.fs.usda.gov/psw/rnas/locations/grass-lake
For a plant list go to Calflora What Grows Here: https://www.calflora.org/entry/wgh.html#srch=t&nplace=Grass+Lake+1&fmt=photo&inma=t&y=38.7941&x=-119.9642&z=17
Grass Lake is a floating bog; we will get wet feet so plan your footwear accordingly! Tall wellington boots or old shoes are both good options. Bring sunscreen, insect repellant, water and snacks or lunch. It is always difficult to judge the length of our field trips, as there is a lot to explore in the area so it will not be a quick trip!
Grass Lake is about 60 miles from South Reno; carpooling is recommended as we will be parking in a pull out at the side of CA-89 (Luther Pass Road). We will meet Doughboys Donuts, 57 Damonte Ranch Pkwy, Reno, NV 89521, at 8:15m and will leave there at 8:30am. We will head to Fuji Park, 601 Old Clear Creek Rd, Carson City, NV 89701 to meet up with people from Carson City area. We will plan to leave Fuji Park by 9:15am.
Directions to Grass Lake from Doughboys Donuts on Damonte Ranch Parkway https://maps.app.goo.gl/aiDuX7FqTgdMFVv9A
Our destination https://maps.app.goo.gl/z4tUNfKLswQPgsGQ6
On Sunday July 27th we will be heading up Mt Rose Highway to explore the area around Tamarack Lake. This hike will follow an informal trail from Mt. Rose Highway up to Tamarack Lake, we will explore the area around the lake, including a wet area at the south of the lake. We will follow the Tamarack to Galena Trail back down to the highway. There are some moderately steep sections with loose rocks on the way up.
We should see a variety of plants including: Veratrum californicum, Eriogonum marifolium, Eurybia integrifolia, Penstemon gracilentis. Castilleja nana, Plantanthera dilitata, Arnica sp., Delphinium sp., Lupius breweri and more.
Sunscreen, insect repellant and water recommended. We will probably spend about threes hours exploring this area – unless of course we find something extra special in which case it could take longer!
Carpooling is highly recommended as we will be parking on a pullout along Mt Rose Highway. Meet in the Galena Creek Visitor Center parking lot at 9:00am, we will plan to head up the highway at 9:15am.
Directions from Galena Creek Visitor Centre: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HCZiWzEMe8TgjqT76
Destination: https://maps.app.goo.gl/UcJzD9qehLvuZvbK9
Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation is holding a photo field trip on August 2nd. NNPS will be there to help with plant identification. More details nearer the time. Photo of primrose monkey flowers from Wikipedia.
