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A Week of Mineral King, Chapter 3: Franklin Falls

One day I took a walk with two friends to Franklin Falls. This is a four mile round trip walk, fairly flat, a nice way to just meander along the valley floor in Mineral King for awhile.

We discovered a creature poking his head out of a hole, until he filled the hole with dirt. Guess he was shy.

We wondered what this little fern-like plant is that no one has seen previously but is very abundant this year. Maybe it will have flowers…

We meandered up the Franklin trail just to the falls. Not much water in late August/early September. (Look at the beginning of  this post from 2017 to see it roaring.)
This little flower has been hanging in there for awhile. I think it is a fuchsia, but I can’t quite tell. It is red, but the color fuchsia is bright pink. Anyone know of a good wildflower book?

I like this view of Crystal Creek, even when it is low and spread out, probably because I am just ravenous for green.

I considered posting a photo of my two friends at the falls, but since this is the World Wide Web, I decided to keep that one for myself. 

Tomorrow, Eagle Lake.

2 Comments

  1. It’s a bummer to see the falls so low, but it does make it a lot easier to cross without spending the rest of the hike with soaked socks & shoes!

    I always get the fuchsia and penstemon mixed up. We have a lot of one or the other around our cabin. They seem to like the rock cracks best.

    Eagle Lake? That’s a lung-burner! Looking forward to those photos.

    • Sharon, the falls are low because it is September, and it is easier to cross for sure. That creek stops me from some excellent hikes in early summer.

      Someday I WILL learn the difference between the fuchsia and penstemon. Rock fringe is another similar one, but I think I’ve got that one, along with the penstemon Pride of the Mountains.


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