In a Spring in which there has been little rain and a reduced number of wildflowers, the vibrant yellow of gumplant has been a welcome sight along Ahmanson's main trail in Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve near the Victory trailhead.

This appears to be Grindelia hirsutula var. hirsutula, a species considered rare in Ventura County. It is reported that a species of gumplant was used medicinally by the Chumash, and other native peoples within its range, for treatment of pulmonary problems.

Sitting on a weather worn log, I emptied the grit from my shoes and asked Miklos how much water he had left. We had just finished the 3 mile segment of Pleasant View Ridge, between Mt. Williamson and Burkhart Saddle and were debating continuing along the ridge to Will Thrall Peak and the next peak to the northwest. Abiding by the "here now, climb it now" philosophy, we took the first few steps up the steep slope.

Pine drops (Pterospora andromedea) and snow plant (Sarcodes sanguinea) are related nonphotosynthetic plants that are found under pine and related trees, primarily in the mountains of the western U.S.

At one time it was believed that these plants were saprophytes, and obtained needed nutrients directly from decaying organic matter in soil. However, research has revealed a more complex parasitic relationship in which the plant obtains carbohydrate from a pine tree, by way of a shared mycorrhizal fungus.

The photograph was taken on the run described in Heat Wave, on July 16, 2006.

Related post: Snow Plant

Perfectly sized to work the minute central disk flowers of golden yarrow, a tiny insect -- perhaps a syrphid fly -- hovers a few millimeters from the plant, assessing the risk of continuing to feed.

The compound flower head of the golden yarrow (Eriophyllum confertiflorum) is about the size of a green pea (10mm), and the individual disk flowers at its center are about 1/5 as large (2mm).

From a run at Sage Ranch Park on May 28, 2007.

Related post: Bee Fly on Western Wallflower.

Each year, thousands hike, ride or run the 2.3 miles up Rocky Peak fire road to a high point with a nice view of Simi Valley. This is near the point marked "ROAD" in this overview photo. Many turn around here, but some continue along the main road to the Johnson Trail, Chumash Trail, Fossil Point, or beyond.

Another option is to follow a spur trail that branches off the main road at the high point about a quarter-mile to an airy overlook. From this viewpoint you can see the San Fernando Valley and surrounding mountains, and trace your route through Rocky Peak Park's unique sandstone formations.

The overlook marks the end of the "easy" trail and the beginning of a rough, rudimentary trail that leads east-northeast through large boulders and outcrops to the summit of the Rocky Peak (2714').

The summit of Rocky Peak is one of the points that defines the border between Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Last year, I was surprised to find evidence that a coyote had recently visited this summit!

Some related posts: San Fernando Valley from Rocky Peak, Rainy Morning on Rocky Peak Road.

A kayaker waits in an eddy, while two other paddlers work their way through the last third of Limestone rapid -- one of the classic class IV rapids on the upper Kern River.

Big and burly, Limestone is renowned for its large standing waves, and paddling it is a rite of passage for kayakers and rafters alike. In 2003 elite athletes from around the world raced specialized wildwater kayaks through Limestone rapid as part of a series of ICF World Cup races held on the Kern River.

Even in a light snowpack year, with less runoff, it is an exciting and challenging rapid to paddle.

This prickly pear on Lasky Mesa appears to have many of the characteristics of the Engelmann prickly-pear, Opuntia engelmannii, but is more likely a cross involving O. engelmannii. One such cross is O. littoralis X (O. engelmannii X O. phaeacantha ) which is referred to as O. ×occidentalis in the Jepson Manual. Here's a closer view of the stamens and pistil.

From a run in in Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve (formerly Ahmanson Ranch) on May 23, 2007.

This is the large incense-cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) mentioned in the post Snowless San Gabriels. It is located on a northeast facing slope near Little Jimmy Spring at an elevation of about 7460' in the San Gabriel Mountains of Southern California. A vertical panorama better shows the size of this tree.

The scar from the 2002 Curve Fire can be seen on the left side of the tree. The black and white cap is about 7 inches wide and suggests a diameter of perhaps 70-80 inches. According to the species information in the FEIS database, in Southern California the largest incense-cedars generally have a diameter at breast height (d.b.h.) of 36-48 inches, but in the Sierra Nevada frequently reach diameters of 84 inches. According to the database, trees over about 200 years old are subject to dry rot, but large trees are often over 500 years old.

Related posts: Pine Mountain Juniper, Heat Wave, Lightning Tree

 
Ridge between Mt. Baden-Powell and Mt. Burnham

Standing on the summit of Mt. Baden-Powell (9399'), I squinted through the haze at Mt. Baldy (10,064'). Nope, no snow. It's not often that the highest elevations of the San Gabriel Mountains are snowless on Memorial Day weekend. If nowhere else, there will usually be a patch of white on the north side of Mt. Baldy.

In December 2005, in order to protect critical habitat of the mountain yellow-legged frog, the Forest Service closed approximately 1,000 acres in the upper Little Rock Creek drainage in the San Gabriel Mountains. The closed area includes Williamson Rock, and the Pacific Crest Trail between Eagle's Roost and the Burkhart Trail. Angeles Crest Highway (SR2) was also closed at Cedar Springs, just west of Eagles Roost, but has since been re-opened to Islip Saddle. On May 27, 2007, it looked like the road past Islip was being resurfaced.

On May 8, 2007, Angeles National Forest issued a press release and scoping letter, proposing to "develop a trail that will protect the mountain yellow-legged frog and its critical habitat, while also providing access to the Williamson Rock," and has requested that all interested parties provide written comments by June 6, 2007.

Williamson Rock is an area of exceptional scenic and recreational value. Because of its proximity to Los Angeles and its suburbs, variety of climbing routes, scenic beauty, and moderate sunmmertime temperatures, it is one of the most popular rock climbing areas in Southern California. Hopefully the Forest Service will move forward with its proposal and re-open this key recreational resource.

For more information and sample comment letters, see the Friends of Williamson Rock blog.

The photograph of Williamson Rock was taken on the PCT while doing the run Pleasant View Ridge on July 2, 2006.

Related post: Complications

Rose snapdragon (Antirrhinum multiflorum) at Sage Ranch Park. From a run on May 14, 2007.

Located near Mammoth Mountain, San Joaquin Ridge extends from Minaret Summit (9265') north about six miles to San Joaquin Mountain (11,601'). Views from this ridge are legend, with broad vistas that include Mt. Morrison, Red Slate, Mammoth Mountain, the Minarets and Ritter & Banner, Mono Lake, and much more. In good weather it is an awe inspiring locale in which to hike, ski or run.

This day, the conditions for running the ridge are ideal. In the wake of a weak weather system, skies are mostly clear, and a cool breeze reduces the heat of the harsh sun, producing a welcome warmth. Winter snow is already receding from the ridge crest, allowing a choice of routes over, or around, remnant drifts and cornices.

Returning from a high point a few miles distant, bounding strides lengthen, and I seem to soar down the ridge, weaving among the stunted pines, glissading across bands of snow, caressing the wind and flying up or down slopes with equal ease. It has become a run that defines the root experience of trail running and the rewards of being in the mountains. There is freedom of motion -- and emotion -- in every stride.

Ahead of me, a pair of ravens turn and the Sun glistens from back to wing. Individual feathers ruffle as wings are adjusted to increase lift, and turns are tightened. Soon we are soaring high above the Sierra, and all things seem possible.