This joint Shasta Environmental Alliance (SEA)/Shasta Chapter CNPS hike on June 19 took us through an old-growth forest, along a mountain stream, and presented us with many wonderful flowers on our way to beautiful Heart Lake in Lassen National Forest. Nine hikers joined us for this ~5-mile adventure. The temperature was in the upper 40s when we started, and about 60 °F when we finished, providing cool conditions for the 1000-foot elevation climb.
We identified many wildflowers, shrubs, and trees. The only broadleaf deciduous trees were quaking aspens and shrubby thin-leaved alders along the creek. Wildflowers included many large patches of bleedinghearts and corn-lilies, along with some rattlesnake plantains, columbines, paintbrushes, pussy paws, and violets, among many others. The principal conifers were ponderosa, lodgepole, Jeffrey, and western white pines; incense-cedar; and red and white fir.
The hike wasn’t too difficult except for the effects of the elevation of 6500 feet. The road to the trail involves driving almost to Lassen Volcanic National Park and then 12 miles of gravel road to the trailhead. We carpooled to save gas and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. ~David Ledger
