Our first official spring hike of the year found us wandering Hog Lake Plateau, Sacramento River Bend Recreation Area. From Iron Canyon Trailhead off of Highway 36, we struck out cross-country toward Hog Lake, following little rivulets and streams, then climbing up to the flatter grasslands. Within the first two hours, always within sight of the parking area, we found dozens of wildflower species in bloom. There are still a couple of weeks before peak bloom season, but already “pools” of white, yellow, and purple wildflowers are beginning to fill. This is the first year we noticed the fragrance! We didn’t know that wildflowers could be so fragrant, but perhaps they need to be found en masse before it’s perceptible. Lovely!
Our hike took us far into the Sacramento River Bend Recreation Area, down along Turtle Creek, off of and back up to the plateau, mostly off trail, for ~7 miles. Never saw a single soul, despite the fact that the parking area filled to overflowing. All of the land between Iron Canyon Trailhead and Hog Lake is public land, and a wonderful place to see wildflowers right now, even without a trail. You can tromp around to your heart’s content and never lose sight of Highway 36. It’s a little rocky (we’re a huge advocates of hiking poles!), but mostly level or gradually undulating terrain.
Go see what you can find. Here is a slideshow of a few of the things that we found. All photos by Don Burk. Enjoy! ~Laurie & Don Burk
