Mike Hagebusch will lead us to see the narrow endemic Eriogonum microtheca var. scholcraftii and its habitat. This yellow flowered buckwheat is only known from a 14-mile stretch along the east face of the Sierra Nevada and from the Fort Sage Range in California; and from one collection on Seven Lakes Mountain in Nevada! It is found on decomposed granite soil, most often sheltered among tall sagebrush.
Meet at the Lemmon Valley McDonalds at 8:15 am, we will leave at 8:30 to drive to the Doyle area. About 38 miles N of the McDonald's gathering point turn left (W) on Constantia Road (three miles past the Red Rock Road on 395). The steeper forest service road should probably be driven by high clearance vehicles (Subarus are great). We'll travel at 10 mph or less and go 0.8 mile to the viewing area.
This should be a quick trip as most of the area is toasted by the abnormal heat. Remnants of Asclepias cordifolia and CIrsium occidentalis are visible. Other plants of interest are Eriogonum elatum var. elatum and Heterotheca orovillosa (newly separated from H. villosa).
Bring water, snacks and wear sunscreen.
Photo credit (c) Jeff Bisbee, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).