Field Trips

• Carson Pass, August 16th. Be prepared to depart at 8:00 a.m. from the parking lot of the the pink Scolari's, Southwest Pavilion, 8165 South Virginia Street. Second meeting place at Staples parking lot on the northeast corner of Highway 395 and Jacks Valley Road in Carson City, departing 8:40 a.m. Telephone Gary Monroe to reserve your place as number of participants is limited. Bring lunch, water, insect repellent. Wear good walking or hiking shoes for approximately four miles of walking. Leader Gary Monroe.

July 2003

• Madora Lake, July 19th. Check out summer bloom in Lakes Basin area. Bring lunch, water, mosquito repellant. First meeting place: Plan to depart at 8:00 a.m. from near the MacDonald’s at the Lemmon Valley exit on Hwy. 395 north of Reno. Second meeting place: Depart 9:00 am from the rest area on Highway 70 west of Beckwourth, CA. Leader Gary Monroe.
•  Santa Rosa Mountains, July 11-13th. This is a three day, two night camping trip to north of Winnemucca. Contact Paul Mungan if you are interested. Lower Lola Montez Lake near Soda Springs, CA, July 5th. Hike one moderately easy mile to Lola Montez Lake and return. Access limited to 5 high clearance vehicles. Area to be visited behind locked gate. Participants may not leave field trip early. Consensus on end time of trip. Remember lunch, water, insect repellant, sun screen. First meeting at 8:00 a.m. at the MacDonald’s at West McCarran and MaeAnne. Second meeting at 9:00a.m. at the Donner Summit rest area on I-80 west of Truckee, CA. Leaders Marsha Ross and Paul Mungan.

June 2003

• Ash Meadows, June 22nd. Gina Glenne will lead us on a trip to see some later blooming Ash Meadows plants. First meeting spot at 7:00 a.m. at the Fish and Wildlife Service Office in Las Vegas. Second meeting spot at 8:45 a.m. at the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters building. Low clearance vehicles OK, but dirt/gravel roads. Bring hat, sunscreen, water and lunch. For information contact Sue Wainscott.
• Benton Range, June 20-22. Three day, two night camping trip with the Bristlecone Chapter of CNPS. High clearance vehicle necessary. Will be hiking 1-5 miles per day in easy to moderately difficult terrain. Bring what you need to camp - food, water. Non-camping options include motels in Lee Vining or the Benton Hot Springs B & B. Meet in the parking lot between the pink Scolari’s and Heidi’s, 8165 South Virginia St., Reno for 10:00 a.m. departure. Meet for optional breakfast at 8:30 a.m. Second meeting place Mono Lake Visitor’s Center just north of Lee Vining, CA. Lunch stop 12:00-1:00 p.m. Campsite to be determined. Contact John Dyer if you are interested.
• Ball's Canyon, June 14th. (This is a reschedule for the April 26th trip that was cancelled due to snow, and this replaces the Lower Prey Meadows trip listed for this date in the May newsletter.) Chris Ross will be taking us on this hike on private property. Locked gates make it necessary to go in and out together. Meet at 8:00 a.m. near the McDonald’s at the Lemon Valley exit off Highway 395 north of Reno. Second meeting place, 8:30 in the Bordertown back parking lot. Take the Bordertown exit off 395, turning left and then right. Remember that Bordertown is NOT BOOMTOWN. Leaders: Fred Peterson and Paul Mungan.
• Diamond Range, June 7th. Check out spring bloom in the mountains that parallel the state line north of Reno. Tentatively plan to go to the Snow Lake area and loop around to Frenchman Lake, but this could change depending on flower displays. High clearance vehicles recommended as we expect to be mainly off paved roads. First meeting place, 8:15 in the cul-de-sac by the Texaco Station on Red Rock Road just north of highway 395 north of Reno. Turn north onto Red Rock Road and then left into the cul-de-sac. Second meeting place, 9:00 a.m. at the Chilcoot, CA Frosty on the corner of Highway 70 and Frenchman Lake Road. Leaders John Dyer, Bonnie Larsen, and Bill and Nancy Harnach.

May 2003

• Coppins Meadow and Weber Lake, May 31st. First meeting place at McDonald’s at Mae Anne and McCarran. Depart 8:00 a.m. Second meeting place at the rest stop at the Little Truckee Summit, which is at the intersection of Highway 89 and Fiberboard Road (aka Jackson Meadows Reservoir Rd. and Henness Pass Rd.). Depart there at 9:00 a.m. Bring clothing for mild to cold weather, shoes to get wet, mosquito repellent, and lunch. Leaders John Dyer and Paul Mungan. Warm Springs Valley/ Pah Rah Range, May 24th. We will be hiking an easy 1-2 miles. Bring lunch and water. Low clearance vehicle O.K., but dirt roads. Depart at 8:30 a.m. from the Quality Inn (formerly McCarran House) at 55 E. Nugget Ave. in Sparks, S side of I-80 between Pyramid Way and McCarran Ave. Leaders John Dyer and Gary Monroe.
• Sierra Spring Sojourn, May 16th. An event of the Bristlecone Chapter of CNPS. For information contact John Dyer.
• Sand Mountain/Fairview Valley, May 10th. First meeting place at 8:00 a.m. at the Quality Inn (formerly McCarran House) at 55 E. Nugget Ave in Sparks, S side of I-80 between Pyramid Way and McCarran Ave. Second meeting place at 9:00 a.m. at McDonalds, W side of Fallon along Hwy. 50. Bring mosquito dope, water, lunch. Leaders: Gary Monroe and Fred Peterson.

April 2003

• Ball’s Canyon, April 26th. CANCELED due to snow (see June 14th). Dry Winnemucca Lake, April 12th. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Quality Inn (formerly McCarran House) at 55 E. Nugget Ave. in Sparks, S side of I-80 between Pyramid Way and McCarran Ave. Bring lunch, water. This is an optimist's trip, so plan for snow or rain or dust! Leaders: Fred Peterson and Paul Mungan.

 March 2003

• Table Mountain north of Oroville, California, March 26-28th. Overnight camping in low Sierras (2800’) on private property. Arrive Wednesday, visit Table Mountain and possibly Oroville Dam on Thursday, returning Friday. Rain in northeastern California may cancel the trip. For details, call Bonnie Larsen.

• Grass Lake, August 17th. Meet at 8:00 am at the pink Scolari's Market at 8165 S Virginia St. in the Southwest Pavilion (south end of parking lot). Participants will get their feet, and perhaps more, wet so dress appropriately. Trip size is limited - please call the leaders to ensure your spot. Leaders Janet Bair and Lori Allessio. Rose Knob Peak, August 8th (Thursday). Meet at 8 a.m. near the pink Scolari's in the Southwest Pavilion at 8165 South Virginia Street. Second meeting place at 9 a.m. at the west side of Tahoe Meadows near the start of the road to Incline Lake. This will be a 3+ mile hike with an elevation gain of 1,500 ft. Bring water, lunch, bug spray, and sunscreen. Leaders Arnold Tiehm and Steve Matson.
• White Mountains, August 2nd-5th (Friday-Monday). This weekend camping trip will be to the White Mountains east of Big Pine, CA. Camping will be in a group camp. The cost of the group campground ($49) will be divided among participants. This is a dry camp, so participants must bring the water that they will need. Two-wheel-drive vehicles O.K. for campground. Four-wheel-drive desirable for one plant site. Check with leaders to sign up. Leaders Paul Mungan and Fred Peterson.

July 2002

• Blue Lake, July 20th-21st (Saturday-Sunday) (CNPS Modoc Chapter). Come camp in the southern Warner Mountains. On Saturday we’ll go bogging and look for sundews, shore sedge, bladderworts, and other rare fen plants; bring a canoe or raft. On Sunday, we’ll do a tour of last year’s large wildfire and see what wildflowers have come up. We’ll look for the rare Lupinus latifolius var. barbatus. Meet at the BLM Office on Highway 299 in Alturas at 10:00 Saturday for the bog walk/canoe, or meet us at the Blue Lake Campground 10:00 on Sunday for the burn tour. Leader Mike Dolan.
• Mt. Lola II, July 20th. First meeting place at 8:00 a.m. from the MacDonald’s at West McCarran and MaeAnne. Second Meeting Place: Traveling west from Reno on I-80, exit California highway 89 northbound and look for the group. Departure at 9:00 a.m. It is 16.5 miles north on highway 89 to the parking area at Fibreboard Road. Hike to the top of Mt. Lola, 9,168 feet, checking out plants along the way. This moderately difficult hike has a 1200 foot elevation gain. High clearance vehicle required as is an axe, shovel, and a gallon of water per car. Bring lunch, water, and rain gear. Leader Gary Monroe. Co-leader Paul Mungan.
• Doyle Grade, July 13th. First meeting place, 8:15 a.m. in the cul-de-sac by the Texaco Station on Red Rock Road. Take highway 395 north from Reno and exit at Red Rock Road. Turn right onto Red Rock and then left into the cul-de-sac which is between the Texaco and the freeway. Second meeting place, 9:00 a.m. at highway 395 and Doyle Grade in Doyle. Flower viewing from Doyle to the top of the adjacent Sierras, featuring a high wet meadow and possibly a stop at a quarry of shale with dendrites. High clearance vehicles necessary. Participants will be walking an easy ½ to one mile, and should bring lunch, water, and insect repellent. Leader John Dyer and co-leader Bonnie Larsen.
• Dismal Swamp, July 13th (CNPS Modoc Chapter). Despite the name, this is a great place in the central Warner Mountains. We’ll see bog birch, elephant heads, and other unusual plants. High clearance vehicles required. Meet at 10:00 at the BLM Office on Highway 299 in Alturas, or at 11:00 at Dismal Swamp. Leader Allison Sanger.
• Hart Mountain/Sheldon Antelope Preserve, Oregon, July 4th-7th (Thursday-Sunday) (CNPS Modoc Chapter). This camping trip in the southern Oregon part of the Modoc Plateau promises hot springs, great vistas, and new plants to explore. Bring complete camping gear and supplies, including water, and a full tank of gas. Meet at the BLM Office on Highway 299 in Alturas at 10:00 on July 4th. Leader Ann Francis.

June 2002

• Thompson Peak, June 29th (CNPS Modoc Chapter). Visit this peak that marks the southeastern edge of the Cascade Range and overlooks the Honey Lake Valley. We’ll be looking for unusual rocky ridge plants, like perhaps Erigeron compactus that was collected by Stebbins there in 1937. Meet at the Park and Ride at the junction of Highway 395 and Janesville Grade at 10:00. Leader Gary Schoolcraft.
•  Peavine, June 15th. Meet at 8:00 a.m. near the McDonald’s at the Lemmon Valley exit on highway 395 north of Reno. Turn right on Lemmon Valley Drive and right into the shopping center. All day trip planned to visit mid-to-upper reaches of Peavine Mountain in the northern and northwestern portions. Bring lunch, plenty of water, sunscreen, hat, etc. Please wear sturdy walking shoes or boots to handle a variety of terrain. Activity level: Plan on some walking, over uneven surfaces, and some steep terrain. Distances covered will depend on whether certain sites we decide to visit are accessible by vehicle. Vehicular requirements: High clearance vehicles are required as of this writing; 4-wheel drive may be necessary, however this won’t be determined until late May. Please contact the leaders at that time for more travel information. NOTE: All vehicles will need to carry an axe, shovel, and a gallon of water. Leaders Melanie Scott, John Dyer, and Sharon Lancaster.
• Fredonyer Peak, June 15th (CNPS Modoc Chapter). This driving tour with short walks will take us from a lower elevation area that burned 3 years ago and is now full of the rare Iliamna bakeri and other fire-following wildflowers, up in elevation to several different sagebrush habitats and great views of Eagle Lake. We’ll be sure to hit the flowering peak right somewhere up the mountain! 2-wheel drive OK, but high clearance recommended. Meet at the BLM Eagle Lake Field Office on Riverside Drive in Susanville at 10:00. Leader Beth Corbin.
• Truckee River Project, June 8th. Nick Lutz of the Nature Conservancy is leading a tour of this project which was the subject of his talk at the February meeting. Meet at 8:00 a.m. in the parking lot of the Department of Environmental and Resource Sciences building at 1000 Valley Road. The outing will take approximately three hours and requires some walking on uneven ground. Carpooling is required. Six or less vehicles desired. Bring water, sunscreen, hiking boots, snacks. Leader Nick Lutz.
• Papoose Meadows, June 8th (CNPS Modoc Chapter). Visit a spectacular wet meadow full of blue-flowered camas, delphiniums, buttercups, and other assorted wildflowers and birds. This meadow also has an interesting historic and pre-historic value to the local Native Americans. Meet at the Lassen National Forest’s Eagle Lake Ranger Station on Highway 36 at 10:00 am. Wear shoes suitable for wet ground. Leader Kim Earll. Sierra Valley, June 1st. Meet at 8:00 a.m. near the MacDonald’s at the Lemmon Valley exit on highway 395 north of Reno. Turn right on Lemmon Valley Drive and right into the shopping center. Second meeting place: 8:30 a.m. in Vinton, California, in a pullout area just beyond Frank’s Vinton Garage, on Highway 70. Frank’s Garage is at the junction of Highways 49 and 70, on the south side of 70, about 2 miles west of the Wiggins Trading Post and Frenchman Lake Road. All day trip to explore the Smithneck Creek area above Sierra Brooks subdivision in Loyalton, as well as other stops depending on moisture conditions. Bring lunch, plenty of water, sunscreen, hat, etc. Wear sturdy walking shoes. Activity level: Once at the site(s) expect some walking, but not long distances. Moderately easy. Vehicular requirements: High clearance vehicles are desirable, but not required. Standard vehicle should do ok. Leaders Bill & Nancy Harnach and Melanie Scott.

May 2002

• Steamboat/Geiger Grade, May 18th. Meet at 8:00 a.m. near the pink Scolari’s in the Southwest Pavilion at 8165 South Virginia Street. Leaders Janet Bair and Jody Sawasaki.
• Hot Springs Mountains, May 11th. First meeting place, 8:00 a.m. in the northwest parking lot of McCarran House at 55 E. Nugget Ave., east of John Ascuaga’s Nugget and west of McCarran Blvd. Second meeting place at Nightingale Springs turn-off on I-80 between Fernley and Lovelock, near the garlic drying plant about 9:00 a.m. Leaders Gary Monroe and Paul Mungan.
• Weed walk, May 5th (Sunday). Please meet at 9:00 am in the parking lot of the UNR Department of Environmental and Resource Sciences building at 1000 Valley Road. The walk is expected to end around noon. Leader: Dawn Rafferty.
• Ash Meadows, May 3rd-6th (Friday-Monday). Camping will be at Crater Flats south of Beatty, NV. Participants will be meeting with Gina Glenne, USFW botanist at Ash Meadows for a tour of Ash Meadows. Sunday there will be botanizing near the campsite at Crater Flat. A visit to nearby Death Valley is planned on the way home Monday. We will be hiking short distances from the vehicles. Four-wheel drive vehicles preferred because of sand and rough roads near campsite. Bring the equipment you need to camp, food, and plenty of water. Meeting place to be determined. Leader: Paul Mungan. Co-leader Fred Peterson.

April 2002

• Mossing in the Carson Range, April 6th (rain or shine). Please meet at 9:00 am in the parking lot of the UNR Department of Environmental and Resource Sciences building at 1000 Valley Road. We will travel to the east base of the Carson Range and walk 1-2 miles up a canyon with running water. We will learn to recognize different moss species and their habitats, and will have hands-on demonstrations of how to document Nevada's little-known moss flora with collections. The trip is anticipated to take about half the day. Leader: Jim Shevock, co-leader (contact for information) Jim Morefield.

March 2002

•  Lichens near Pyramid Lake, March 7th (alternate rain-out day April 13th). Meet at 9:00 am in the parking lot of the Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station, 1000 Valley Road. The trip is anticipated to take most of the day. If doubtful about whether the trip will go on the morning of March 9th, call the trip Leader, Eric Peterson of the Nevada Natural Heritage Program.

• Peter Grubb Hut hike, August 4th. Participants will be following the Julie Carville hike up to and somewhat past the Peter Grubb Hut. This area is north of I-80 and west of Truckee near Donner Summit. The hike will be about 8 miles round trip with 1500 feet elevation gain. Meet at 8:00 a.m. near the McDonald's in the shopping center a MaeAnne and North McCarran. Leader Paul Mungan.
• Tahoe Meadows, Thursday August 9th. Joint trip with the Lake Tahoe chapter of the California Native Plant Society. Meet at 8 a.m. near the pink Scolari's in the Southwest Pavilion at 8165 South Virginia Street. Second meeting place at 9 a.m. at the west side of Tahoe Meadows near the start of the road to Incline Lake. This will be a 5 mile round trip hike with a 2000 ft elevation gain so we will reach 10,000 feet. Some of the route will be rough off trail going. Bring water, lunch, bug spray, and sunscreen. We do not anticipate any mosquitoes. Leaders Jerry Tiehm and Steve Matson.

July 2001

• Sky Tavern area, July 7th. Explore this area of Mount Rose with Laird Blackwell, author of Wildflowers of the Tahoe Sierra and Wildflowers of the Sierra Nevada and the Central Valley, available at most book stores. This outing will involve 4-6 miles of hiking (round trip). Laird Blackwell will be happy to sign his books if you bring them. Meet at 9:30 a.m. near the pink Scolari's in the Southwest Pavilion at 8165 South Virginia Street. Leader Sharon Lancaster.
• Lakes Basin, July 14th. Details to come. Leader John Dyer. June 2001: Sierra Valley, June 2nd. Bill and Nancy Harnach will let us explore the flora on their ranch in Sierry Valley. Meet 8:00 a.m. near the MacDonald's at the Lemmon Valley exit on highway 395 north of Reno. Turn right on Lemmon Drive and right into the shopping center. Bring lunch and water. Leader Fred Peterson. If you are not driving from the Reno area, contact the Harnachs for directions.
• Loch Leven Lakes, June 9th. Moderately strenuous hike to Lock Leven Lakes. Meet near the McDonald's in the shopping center at MaeAnne and North McCarran for an 8:00 a.m. departure. Second meeting place Donner Pass rest stop 9:00 a.m. Bring lunch and water. Leader Gary Monroe.
• Peavine, June 16th. Meet 8:30 a.m. near the McDonald's at Lemmon Valley shopping center (see June 2nd directions). High-centered vehicles required. Bring lunch and water. Leaders Melanie Scott and Catherine Robinson. Campout, Warner Mountains (?), Friday-Sunday June 22nd-24th. Site has yet to be set. Contact Paul Mungan or Fred Peterson.
• Snow Creek Meadows, June 30th. Visit area restored by the California-Tahoe Conservancy, Placer County, and CalTrans. Last year's participants can see how the project turned out and all participants will enjoy a lovely outing. First meeting place 8:00 a.m. near the McDonald's at MaeAnne and North McCarran. Second meeting place 9:00 a.m. at the Safeway in Kings Beach, California. Bring lunch and water. Leaders Steve Matson and John Dyer. May 2001: Sagehen Creek, May 12th. This popular hike site is north of Truckee on Highway 89. Meet 9:00 a.m. near the McDonald's at MaeAnne and West McCarran. Second meeting place 9:45 across from the ranger station on Highway 89 just north of Interstate 80. Carpooling is highly desirable as there isn't much parking at the trailhead. Some wet areas. Insect repellent recommended. The hike will begin about 10:00 a.m. Leader Sharon Lancaster.
• Ball Springs, May 19th. Meet at 8:00 a.m. near the McDonald's at the Lemmon Valley exit on highway 395 north of Reno. Turn right on Lemmon Drive and right into the shopping center. Second meeting place at the north end of Bordertown (NOT Boomtown; if you cross the state line you've gone too far) on highway 395 at 8:30 a.m. Carpooling is mandatory. Participants must pass through locked gates to access the field trip area, which is on private property. High clearance vehicles necessary. Leaders Chris Ross and Janet Bair.

April 2001

•  Henry W. Coe State Park, California, Friday-Sunday April 6th-8th. This early outing to California's second largest state park, south of San Jose, CA, should coincide with prime Coe flower time. Participants should plan to arrive Friday afternoon or evening. It is a 5-6 hour drive from Reno. Primitive campground with water, pit toilets, fire area. Campsites ($6.00-$8.00) must be reserved, so please sign up by March 15th. Motels available in Morgan Hill (ten twisty miles away). You can visit the park website at http://www.coepark.parks.ca.gov. Outings will involve walks of up to five miles on sometimes-steep trails. Potluck Saturday evening. To reserve your place, or for more details, contact Bonnie Larsen or Paul Mungan.
• Nightingale Springs (Brady Hot Springs), April 21st. Nightingale Springs is located approximately 50 miles northeast of Reno. First meeting place, at 8:00 am in the northwest parking lot of McCarran House at 55 E. Nugget Ave., east of John Ascuaga's Nugget and west of McCarran Blvd. Second meeting place at Nightingale Springs turn-off near the garlic drying plant about 9:00 am. Bring lunch, water, and mosquito repellant. High clearance vehicles required. Leader Gary Monroe.

• Tahoe Rim/Meadows, August 5th. Leader Dave Weixelman.

July 2000

• Little Valley, July 8th. Leader Hal Klieforth.
• Snow Creek meadow and wetlands restoration site at Kings Beach, July 15th. Leader Steve Matson of CNPS will conduct this visit of the area owned by California Tahoe Conservancy and being worked on by that agency, Placer County, and CalTrans. Co-leader John Dyer.
• Barker Pass, July 22nd. Leaders Gary Monroe and Steve Matson.

June 2000

• Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge Spring Service Trip (Lahontan Audubon Society and the Sierra Club), Saturday and Sunday June 3rd and 4th. Participants help remove unnecessary barbed wire fences to protect pronghorn antelope, mule deer, and bighorn sheep, as well as people. Heavy gloves and old clothes are a must. Carcamp and enjoy a potluck dinner with refuge managers. Work on Saturday and tour the refuge on Sunday. Leaders Rose Strickland and Dennis Ghiglieri.
• Red Clover Valley, Sunday June 4th. Leaders Bill and Nancy Harnach, Paul Mungan, and Fred Peterson.
• Verdi to Dog Valley, June 10th. Leader Janet Bair.

May 2000

• Bass Flat, south of Fallon, Saturday May 6th. Leaders Gary Monroe and Jim Morefield.
• Annual Celebrating Wildflowers Week field trip, Saturday May 20th. Top of Peavine Mountain. Leaders Randy McNatt, Jodi Sawasaki, and Arnold Tiehm.

April 2000

• Photographing wildflowers, Saturday April 29th. Leaders Bonnie Larsen and Tim Stach.

• Mount Rose, leaders Paul Mungan and Desi Zamudio.

• Mt. Lassen National Park (weekend camping trip), leader John Dyer.
• Antone Meadows, leader Gary Monroe.

• Sierra Valley, leaders Bill and Nancy Harnach and Paul Mungan.
• May Arboretum/Peavine Mountain (combined trip with the Napa Chapter of the California Native Plant Society), leader Lynda Nelson.

• Geiger Grade (in conjunction with Celebrating Wildflowers Week), leaders Randy McNatt and Arnold Tiehm.