Press release

The amazingly diverse and beautiful flora of the Eastern Sierra will soon be on magnificent display as spring arrives. From the breathtaking scarlet locoweed to the blue desert larkspur, every color, size and shape of native plant will be on show as the season progresses.

Desert Gold blooming in Death Valley Photob by Stephen Ingram

Desert Gold blooming in Death Valley
Photob by Stephen Ingram

The Bristlecone Chapter of the California Native Plant Society has announced their annual field trip schedule and invites the community, young and old, to join them in exploring this flowery region. Trips are designed for everyone, from beginning botanical enthusiasts to those who already know a buckwheat from a buttercup. The trips begin in mid-March with an overnight outing to Death Valley, where the flowers are exploding this year. Please visit bristleconecnps.org for more details and the full schedule, or call Sue Weis at 760-873-3485.

March 12-13:  Panamint Valley and/or Death Valley.  Leader:  Mark Bagley.  Meet at 9:00 am at Panamint Springs on Hwy. 190 in Panamint Valley, about one hour east of Lone Pine.  Camping Saturday night will probably be primitive (no water, no toilets, no tables), but the location will be determined just before the trip as will the locations we’ll go to botanize.  We’ll go to areas in either Panamint Valley and/or Death Valley depending on the bloom.  Easy to moderate walking. Bring good walking shoes, plenty of water for the whole weekend and everything else you need for camping.  Contact info: Mark at 760-920-2211 for more information.

March 19, Saturday:  Aberdeen Crossing bike trip.  Leaders:  Katie Quinlan and Michèle Slaton.  Meet on the Aberdeen Crossing road near the bridge at 9:00 am. The road is 11 miles south of Big Pine on the EAST side of Highway 395.  We will park the cars and ride the bikes from there. This trip will ride sections of the old Slim Princess railroad grade stopping to look at what little remains of the Cities of San Carlos, Bend City and Chrysopolis, about a 20 mile ride.. Stops will be made to look at any interesting plants that come our way – including a variety of annuals, perennials, and shrubs. This ride is all on dirt roads so a mountain bike or cross bike are needed, though riding will be at an easy pace. Bring a lunch, water and clothing for any kind of weather. Contact info: Katie Quinlan [email protected].

March 26:  Big Pine/Baker Creek.  Leader:  Steve Matson.  Join us for an early season off trail walk along and near Baker Creek and Warren Bench.  This is a great spot to see early season annuals. Meet next to the campground at the junction of 168 and 395 in Big Pine at 9:00 am.  We will drive on paved and well-graded dirt roads to the “trail head”. Easy walking off trail, 3 to 4 hours total.  Bring water, snacks, and sun protection, Contact info: Steve Matson, [email protected], 775-843-0389 or 760-938-2862.

 

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