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A Long Walk in Mineral King, Part 2

Today we continue our long walk, now above White Chief, heading through some of the finest flowers in memory.

Is this an elderberry? Maybe. It looks a little different than the ones growing lower down.
Off-Trail Guy took this tree photo for you, Jess! (And why was this hike easier when you were with us?)
This is the view from the top of the ridge between White Chief and Farewell Canyon. Now you don’t have to struggle ever upward because we did it for you.
The Pennyroyal was thick. Too bad this isn’t a scratch-n-sniff.

I’m not going to sugar-coat this hike. It was harder to get to the top of the ridge than I remember, not as hard to come down the other side, but then pretty hard to pick footing through all the growth. It’s hard to step wisely when the ground isn’t visible, but there were no injuries. (Thank you for your concern.)

We call this Louise’s Spring because it is on one of her favorite slopes. The flowers were intensely abundant.
There were Larkspur, Lupine, and Sierra Stickseed, all blue. This photo doesn’t begin to tell the story (but at least your feet don’t hurt while reading about it.)
Who are you? Who-oo? Who-oo? (Those yellow look-alikes again.)
This is the foliage on this particular yellow look-alike, in case a blog reader is inclined to find its name.
This is part of my view while seated on my tookus during a short lunch break. Those yellow unknowns with a pop of purple in the center – a classic example of complementary colors. (Just had to throw that in in case you were wondering if I had abandoned my art career for a wildflower one.)
It is pretty unusual to have Languid Ladies (AKA Sierra Bluebells) in abundance in August.

Long hike, long post. To be continued. . . and here is an ad break.

100 page paperback, flowers in photos, common names only, lots of chatty commentary, $20 including tax.
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Also available at the Three Rivers Historical Museum, Silver City Store, from me if I put them in my car, or Amazon.

4 Comments

  1. What a great post as always! I miss our hikes and all the grandeur of MK high country. Thanks for keeping me with you in spirit.

    • Jess, thanks for reading. I miss you on every trail we walked together!

  2. Thank you for a virtual tour of a place I probably won’t ever get to. <3

    • Sharon, I may never get there again myself!

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