Eastern Mojave Vegetation
Tom Schweich
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Eastern Mojave Vegetation
| Field Notes (Continued) |
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Tom Schweich |
Topics in this Article: 1800s 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 1991 1993 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2008 Tour de Swertia albomarginata Mono Lake, August 2008 2009 2010 2010s 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Contents Literature Cited |
When I first read the field notes of Annie Alexander and Louise Kellogg, I was fascinated by the descriptions they wrote about the places they went and the plants and animals they found there. By publishing my field notes on the Internet I hope to follow a little bit in their tradition. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Mono Lake, August 2008
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| Wednesday, August 13, 2008
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This morning my plan was to explore the geography south of Mono Lake and east of US Highway 395.
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Other articles:
U. S. Highway 395
near Pumice Mine Road
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I drove to Pumice Mine Road (1S40), just south of June Lake Junction on US Highway 395.
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Other articles:
Forest Road 1S40
near Punch Bowl
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The first half mile or so of Pumice Mine Road are paved, looking like it is an older alignment of US Highway 395. The road then curves around the sand flat floor, in such a way that the Tom Harrison "Mammoth High Country" map is wrong.On the way to my first stop, Devil's Punch Bowl, there was a nice view of Wilson Butte.
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Other articles: Forest Road 1S40 at Punch Bowl Locations:
Devils Punch Bowl.
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Devil's Punch Bowl, also known simply as Punch Bowl, is a small depression between two moderate size volcanic piles. You can drive right to the lip of the depression. There are several other depressions in the second volcanic pile to the northeast.
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Other articles:
Forest Road 1S40
near East Craters Sand Flat
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Pumice Mine Road passes by the upper, or southwest, extension of East Craters Sand Flat.
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Other articles:
Forest Road 1S08
at 1S40
Forest Road 1S40
at 1S08
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I passed by the west end of Forest Service Road 1S08 on Pumice Mine Road.
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Other articles:
Forest Road 1S40
on Mono Craters
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Continuing carefully on Pumice Mine Road, because this is a truck haul road for cinders from Mono Craters, there were some good afternoon views of East Craters Sand Flat. Unfortunately, this was a hazy morning, and the view into the sun and haze made photography difficult.
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Other articles:
Forest Road 1S40
on Mono Craters
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View of East Craters Sand Flat from Pumice Mine Road.
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Other articles:
Forest Road 1S40
on Mono Craters
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View of East Craters Sand Flat from Pumice Mine Road.
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Other articles:
Forest Road 1S40
on Mono Craters
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View of East Craters Sand Flat from Pumice Mine Road.
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Other articles:
Forest Road 1S40
on Pumice Mine Rd
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Returning on Pumice Mine Road to Forest Road 1S08, a pumice hauling truck went by. Here, I set my GPS to NAD 1983 instead of WGS 1984. Most of my maps use NAD83 or NAD27 as does the GNIS and, at least in the western US, I don't see the point in using WGS84.
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Other articles:
Forest Road 1S08
at bottom of flat
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Turning east on 1S08, I stopped at the lowest point so that I could walk out to the little playa in this basin. The location was 37.82117° -119.00752°, 2332 m elevation. Here I collected a little buckwheat that was much in evidence through this volcanic tableland.
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 Detail of Collection No. 554
 Overview of Collection No. 554
554
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Eriogonum spergulinum A. Gray var. reddingianum (M. E. Jones) J. T. Howell, many in bloom, East Craters Sand Flat.
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Other articles:
Field Notes
Coll. No. 559 on 13-Aug-08
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I also noticed a little plant that I think Calyptridium, but is long past flowering. Later I would collect this plant.
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Other articles:
Forest Road 1S08
about mid-way
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I continued across the sand flat, stopping for this photo looking back.
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Other articles:
Forest Road 1S05
at FR 1S06, 1S08
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Forest Road 1S08 ends at a junction of Bald Mountain Road (1S05) and the "120 Cutoff" (1S06). This location is also right above the Mono Craters tunnel.
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Literature Cited:
Other articles:
Forest Road 1S06
over Mono Craters tunnel
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There were some workings that I think must include a shaft to the tunnel, and some sort of water pumping installation.
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Other articles:
Forest Road 1S07
at edge of sand flat
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From here I went on to East Craters Sand Flat on 1S07. There were a few lupines here in flower and fruit, so I collected one. I assume these are L. duranii, but that will have to be verified.
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 Detail of Collection No. 555
 Overview of Collection No. 555
555
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Lupinus duranii Eastw. |
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Other articles: Forest Road 1S07 East Craters Sand Flat Locations:
East Craters Sand Flat.
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Other articles: Forest Road 1N24 near divide Locations:
East Craters Sand Flat.
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I continued on a road, name probably 1N24, across the north end of East Craters Sand Flat. From this perspective, it is clear that most of the flat has an internal drainage. Only a very small portion at the extreme northern end drains into Mono Lake. Water from East Craters Sand Flat may move underground into Mono Lake, of course, appearing as springs on the lower slopes or under water.
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At the north end of East Craters Sand Flat, I was very surprised to see this Umbelliferae.
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Other articles:
Forest Road 1N24
near divide
556
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#556 Umbell. 37.85388° -118.98754° 2421 m
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 How to distinguish between Eriogonum umbellatum var. umbellatum and var. nevadense per FNANM.
 Detail of Collection No. 557, Eriogonum umbellatum var. nevadense
 Overview of Coll. No. 557, Eriogonum umbellatum var. nevadense
557
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Eriogonum umbellatum Torr. var. nevadense Gand. Sulphur-Flower Buckwheat.
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 Inflorescence of Collection No. 558, Eriogonum microthecum var. ambiguum
 Leaves of Collection No. 558, Eriogonum microthecum var. ambiguum
 Overview of Collection No. 558, Eriogonum microthecum var. ambiguum
558
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Eriogonum microthecum Nutt. Var. ambiguum (M. E. Jones) Reveal. Slender Buckwheat.
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Other articles:
Field Notes
13-Aug-08, Coll No. 559
20090707150583
559
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Calyptridium umbellatum, sterile collection.
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I drove back to the divide at the north end of East Craters Sand to check the geographic location. It was: 37.80990°, -118.96841°, NAD 1983.
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I wandered around for a while in the area east of East Craters Sand Flat, on roads 1S42 and 1S43. The maps of this area are incorrect because the roads have been re-routed to keep vehicles off of the small sand flat in section 23.
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Then I returned to Bald Mountain Road. In this section, above the Mono Craters tunnel, I drove back and forth a couple of times, looking for the divide between the Mono Lake Basin and the Owens River Basin. The topography in this area is complex, probably caused by both faulting and volcanic activity.
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Other articles: Forest Road 1S05 inside Mono Basin Locations:
Mono Basin.
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Mono Lake basin divide. Looking west on Bald Mountain Road (1S05).
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Other articles:
Forest Road 1S05
outside Mono Basin
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Mono Lake basin divide. Looking east on Bald Mountain Road (1S05).
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In reality, though, it probably does not make much difference whether the divide between the Mono Lake basin and the Owens River watershed can be accurately located. So far, I have seen no obvious significant changes in the vegetation across this volcanic tableland, and I doubt that placement of the boundary a mile (or kilometer) one way or the other would change the taxa listed in the checklist flora.
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I continued on Bald Mountain Road (1S05) to Bald Mountain Lookout. This is a fairly easy drive with just a few rocks on some upper steep slopes. The lookout was not staffed when I visited. I made lunch and sat in the shade of the lookout to eat.
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Other articles:
Forest Road 1S05
at Bald Mtn Lookout
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Little Sand Flat is visible …
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Other articles:
Forest Road 1S05
at Bald Mtn Lookout
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... as well as other large unnamed sand flat to the south …
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Between them, the southern divide of Mono Lake basin is not obvious, being forested broken areas of internal drainage.
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Other articles:
Forest Road 1S05
at Bald Mtn Lookout
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A little farther to the west, the basin of Deadman Creek can be seen. This would be the northwest corner of the Long Valley Caldera.
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Other articles:
Forest Road 1S05
at Bald Mtn Lookout
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Just off the mountain to the southwest is the headwaters of the Owens River and the Alpers' Owens River Ranch.
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There was also a nice view of Mammoth Mountain, the Sierra Crest, and Mono Craters. On the other hand, you can't see much of Mono Lake, and neither East Craters Sand Flat nor Big Sand Flat can be seen at all.
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Mileage 7965, 1:00 PM, leave Bald Mountain Lookout.
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Other articles:
Forest Road 1S05
at 1S88
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Turned off of Bald Mountain Road (1S05) onto 1S88, a little road that crosses the south end of Little Sand Flat.
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Other articles: Forest Road 1S88 at south end of Little Sand Flat Locations:
Little Sand Flat.
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Little Sand Flat is really pretty, as you can seen in this photo of the south end of Little Sand Flat. Mileage 7970.
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Other articles:
Forest Road 1S88
in Little Sand Flat
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There was a lot of Mimulus mephiticus in bloom, perhaps as a result of summer thunderstorms.
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Other articles:
Forest Road 1S88
on forested island
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From a fomerly burned forested island in the middle of Little Sand Flat, you can see the northern portion.
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Other articles: Forest Road 1S13 Little Sand Flat Locations:
Little Sand Flat.
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View of Mono Craters across Little Sand Flat.
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Other articles:
Forest Road 1S13
at FR 1S06
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Intersection of 1S06 and 1S13. Turned northeast on the "120 Cutoff," Forest Road 1S06, and drove to California Highway 120.
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Other articles:
Forest Road 1S06
near CA Hwy120
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View of intersection of California Highway 120 and the "120 Cutoff," Forest Road 1S06.
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Drove up the Taylor Canyon Road (1S17) to Pilot Spring Road (1S04), and then on to Pilot Spring.
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Other articles: Forest Road 1S04 Pilot Spring Locations:
Pilot Spring.
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There was no running water at Pilot Springs that I found.
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 Detail of Collection No. 560
 Overview of Collection No. 560
560
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Geum macrophyllum Willd. Large-Leaved Avens.
| Pilot Spring, Mono County, California. 16.2 miles by air southeast of Lee Vining, 9.6 miles by air northwest of Glass Mountain. 37.8277°N, 118.871°W. WGS1984 Elev. 2655 m. In the creek bed under trees.
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Returned to Taylor Canyon Road, and drove to Crooked Meadows.
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Other articles:
Forest Road 1S17
near Crooked Mdws.
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The intersection of Taylor Canyon Road (1S17) and 1S56 appears to be in the Mono Lake basin divide. Dry Creek is to the north and Dexter Creek, draining Crooked Meadows is to the south.
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Other articles:
Forest Road 1S17
59900
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Continued on Taylor Canyon Road (1S17) as far as a pass overlooking Sentinel Meadows and then turned back.
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Other articles:
Forest Road 1S17
62000
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View of the south end of Crooked Meadows.
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Other articles:
Forest Road 1S17
at Crooked Mdw Spr
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At Crooked Meadows Campground, there was a fairly large spring. (7985/280 Crooked Meadows Camp)
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Other articles:
Forest Road 1S17
in Crooked Mdws CG
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The campground overlooks northern arm of Crooked Meadows.
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Other articles: Forest Road 1N02 at Wild Horse Mdw Locations:
Wild Horse Meadow.
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From Crooked Meadows, I headed across 1S56 to Wild Horse Meadow (Mileage 7988). Wild Horse Meadow drains into Dexter Creek.
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While on my way to Sagehen Meadow, I noticed a little road going in the direction of Sagehen Peak. Folloed to road all the way to the top. Although, I would have to say that the last 100 meters was a little hairy.
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Other articles: Forest Road 1N02 at Sagehen Pk Locations:
Sagehen Peak.
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From the top of Sagehen Peak, was a good view of Wild Horse Meadow …
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Locations:
Glass Mountain.
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... Glass Mountain …
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Locations:
Dexter Canyon.
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... and Dexter Canyon.
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Locations:
Sagehen Meadow.
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There must be a little bit of private land at Sagehen Meadow, as there is a house under construction.
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I stopped to get gas at Mobil Station, and returned to Aspen Camp about 4:15 PM.
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| Thursday August 14, 2008
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The June Lake Loop Trail Plan (2003) shows a trail up onto the glacier cut plateau on the southwest flank of Reversed Peak. Local residents call the ponds on this plateau "Snow Ponds," but the Geographic Names Information System does not recognize this name.
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Thinking I would go up to Snow Ponds, I parked below the water tank on North Side Drive. Walked up to the water tank. In retrospect, I could have driven up here. Now, I tried to figure out which way to go.
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Chose to follow the tracks around east side of ridge. This was a bad mistake. I ended up climbing the boulders on the ridge.
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Other articles: Mono Lake Basin Flora at June Lake Locations:
June Lake.
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The only reward were some nice views of June Lake …
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Locations:
Gull Lake.
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... and Gull Lake from above.
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 Morainal plateau on flank of Reversed Peak
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Reaching the top of the boulder ridge, I had to bush-whack across a brush-covered moraine to reach …
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 Trail
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... a small trail following the watercourses.
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 Ephemeral pond
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The trail crosses two morainal basins, and comes to first pond.
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Here I made three collections in the drying margin of the pond.
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Locations:
Snow Ponds.
561
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Locations:
Snow Ponds.
562
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 Detail of Collection No. 563
 Overview of Collection No. 563
563
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#563 | Nama densum Lemmon var. densum. Leafy Nama. Reversed Peak, Mono County, California. On the drying shore of natural ponds called “Snow Ponds” by local residents, south flank of Reversed Peak, about 1 mile northwest of Gull lake. 37.7853°N, 119.0976°W. WGS1984 Elev. 2683 m. Collected with Taraxia tanacetifolia and Potentilla anserina.
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Other articles: Mono Lake Basin Flora Snow Ponds Locations:
Snow Ponds.
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Climbed a small hill a little farther to the west to see the remaining ponds.
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 Upper Rush Creek Canyon
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Farther to the west, I could see upper Rush Creek and the Gem Lake dam.
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Locations:
Reversed Peak.
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To the north, I could see the way to the top of Reversed Peak would include a lot of bush-whacking through the Bitterbrush and Sagebrush. Not to mention the southern exposure to the hot sun. There is no way I'm going to climb up there today.
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 Ephemeral pond, one of the Snow Ponds.
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Looking back to the east, I could see the first pond.
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 Location of my collections #561-563 at Snow Ponds
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I returned to the truck by way of the trail. The portion I missed on the uphill trip goes right down the watercourse. It is fairly steep, and composed of loose sand in some areas.
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