Photo taken August 24, 2023, by Ray Gill.
When opportunity knocks, we answer. And when she comes wearing a botanist’s loupe and lugging The Jepson Manual, we answer in double time! So when we were invited to join Calflora on one of their new Calflora Appreciates You hikes, we would have moved Heaven and Earth, and a few Sierra junipers, for the chance to go.
Luckily, our schedules opened up and we didn’t have to do any heavy lifting to meet Cynthia Powell, Director of Calflora, for an incredible hike in the Sierra Nevada. Joining us at the Meiss Trailhead were botany buffs Bob Sweatt of South Tahoe, who knows this part of the Sierra Nevada like his own backyard; and Roma & Ray Gill of the Sacramento area, whose huge collection of photos of California native plants is greatly coveted by Calflora.
From left to right: Cynthia Powell, Roma Gill, Bob Sweatt, and Laurie Burk.
Photo taken by Don Burk.
Meiss (pronounced mice) Trailhead is on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) at California Highway 88 just north of Carson Pass. Meiss Meadow was our destination, ~2 miles from the trailhead. From the parking area, the well-groomed PCT climbs west up through a boulder field where we were awed by some very old, majestic Sierra junipers.
Turning north, the trail becomes shadier as the forest becomes more dense, and we were struck by the diversity of trees: Jeffrey pine, western white pine, lodgepole pine, red fir, aspens, and lots more! Moving out of the forest, the trail wends its way up through open, rocky hillsides, and along meadowy grasslands.
This is where the grandeur of the Sierra Nevada knocks one sideways. The surrounding peaks and vistas take one’s breath away. I half expected to see Heidi and her goats, and the von Trapp family frolicking on the hillside. Refrains from The Hills Are Alive ran through my mind for the rest of the trip.
As Cynthia will undoubtedly confirm, leading a bunch of botany buffs is much like herding cats. A pond about halfway to our destination captured our interest and imagination, and we tarried there for a long time before continuing on toward Meiss Meadow.
Photo taken August 24, 2023, by Laurie Burk.
However, we didn’t make it to the meadow. Which did not diminish the hike in the least! On the contrary; being allowed to meander off trail as the mood struck, sharing our excitement and knowledge over every find, and getting to know our fellow hikers, without concern for reaching any particular destination, were definitely the highlights for us.
Of course, the plants were spectacular. Even though we were there after peak bloom, we found species to examine and ogle everywhere—from right in the parking area, all the way to our turn-around spot. In the below slideshow, we share some of the gems that we photographed on this wonderful hike. Enjoy!
~Laurie & Don Burk
