Dye Creek Preserve Field Trip March 28, 2026

This popular field trip, jointly sponsored by Shasta Chapter CNPS and Shasta Group of Sierra Club, was attended by 22 people! We had delightful weather, with the exception of afternoon heat when it reached 85 degrees. But everyone survived, without injury.

We had three young people under 18 come along, which was encouraging. Their parents brought them; hopefully they become environmentalists in the future.

Hiking up Dye Creek Canyon. H. Pratt. — Heading up the canyon on the March 28, 2026, field trip to Dye Creek Preserve. Photo by Haley Pratt.

My favorite plant on the field trip was twining brodiaea (Dichelostemma volubile). We also saw the closely related bluedicks, elegant brodiaea, roundtooth ookow, and Ithuriel’s spears. There were many canyon liveforever (Dudleya cymosa), as well.

Dye Creek Preserve hikers. L. Ross. — David Ledger, right, expounding upon Dye Creek’s botanical features. Photo taken by Lisa Ross, on March 28, 2026.

This is a difficult hike and takes considerable time when you are also identifying plants. This was the first visit here for many of the group, who expressed interest in returning sometime. The Preserve is not open to the public, but will often grant access if you ask permission. ~David Ledger, Field Trip Chair