Sierra Azul Hike, April 18, 2018

Ginger went on a Mid-Peninsula Open Space District sponsored hike in Sierra Azul Preserve called "Wildflower Hike." Afterwards, she drove up to the top of Mt. Umunhum to see the view. Here is the hike description:

What better way to spend a spring day than to see the explosion of wildflowers along the headwaters of Guadalupe Creek! Join docents Dennis Smith, Lynn Jackson, Kate Gudmundson, and Mary Brunkhorst for a leisurely walk along the Woods Trail with a view of Mount Umunhum. You'll help find and identify the many species of early-spring bloomers including possible rare and endangered plants. Bring cameras, nature guides, lunch, water, and your own curiosity - whatever it takes for you to enjoy this beautiful Preserve.

References

Click Here for map.

All photos copyright Ginger Wolnik


California Goldfields Lasthenia californica along the path


California Goldfields Lasthenia californica


closeup of California Goldfields Lasthenia californica


Jeweled Onion Allium serra with Goldfields


closeup of Jeweled Onion Allium serra


Purple Sanicle Sanicula bipinnatifida


Hillside Star Lithophragma heterophyllum


closeup of Hillside Star Lithophragma heterophyllum showing flat calyx base


Woodland Star Lithophragma affine


closeup of Woodland Star Lithophragma affine showing pointed calyx base


Striped Coral Root Corallorhiza striata (parasitic orchid)


closup of Striped Coral Root Corallorhiza striata


Baby Blue Eyes Nemophila menziesii


top view of Baby Blue Eyes Nemophila menziesii


Hartweg's Umbrellawort Tauschia hartwegii


hikers along Woods Trail


view of the top of Mt. Umunhum near the start of the hike


Miniature Lupine Lupinus bicolor


Blue Dicks Dichelostemma capitatum


Pacific False Bindweed Calystegia purpurata


closeup of Pacific False Bindweed Calystegia purpurata


California Chicory Rafinesquia californica


closeup of California Chicory Rafinesquia californica


Broadleaf Lupine Lupinus latifolius


closeup of Broadleaf Lupine Lupinus latifolius


Hairy Ceanothus Ceanothus oliganthus


Hairy Ceanothus Ceanothus oliganthus


closeup of Hairy Ceanothus Ceanothus oliganthus


California Buttercup Ranunculus californicus (with caterpiller)


Fernald's Iris Iris fernaldii


closeup of Fernald's Iris Iris fernaldii


top view of another Fernald's Iris Iris fernaldii


Fremont's Deathcamas (or Star Lily) Toxicoscordion fremontii


closeup of Fremont's Deathcamas (or Star Lily) Toxicoscordion fremontii


seed pods on Fremont's Deathcamas (or Star Lily) Toxicoscordion fremontii


underside view of Hooker's Fairybells Prosartes hookeri


closeup of Hooker's Fairybells Prosartes hookeri


Two-Eyed Violets Viola ocellata


closeup of Two-Eyed Violet Viola ocellata


more Two-Eyed Violet Viola ocellata


Western Starflower Lysimachia latifolia


Zigzag Larkspur Delphinium patens


closeup of Zigzag Larkspur Delphinium patens


closeup of another Zigzag Larkspur Delphinium patens


Broad-leaved Stonecrop Sedum spathulifolium


closeup of Broad-leaved Stonecrop Sedum spathulifolium (flower buds not open yet)


Tomcat Clover Trifolium willdenovii


closeup of Tomcat Clover Trifolium willdenovii


Pacific Pea Lathyrus vestitus


closeup of Pacific Pea Lathyrus vestitus


Rough Hedgenettle Stachys rigida


closeup of Rough Hedgenettle Stachys rigida


Western Skink Plestiodon skiltonianus emerging from stump


closeup of Western Skink Plestiodon skiltonianus


Smooth Mule-Ears Wyethia glabra


Smooth Mule-Ears Wyethia glabra


Common Catchfly Silene gallica


closeup of Common Catchfly Silene gallica


Golden Yarrow Eriophyllum confertiflorum


closeup of Golden Yarrow Eriophyllum confertiflorum


lunch stop


view of Mt. Hamilton from the lunch stop


view of the top of Mt. Umunhum from the lunch stop


Spring Vetch Vicia sativa


Four-Spot Clarkia Clarkia purpurea ssp. quadrivulnera


Slender Cottonweed (aka Q-Tips) Micropus californicus


closeup of Slender Cottonweed (aka Q-Tips) Micropus californicus


Western Columbine Aquilegia formosa


Milkmaids Cardamine californica


closeup of Milkmaids Cardamine californica


Woolly Indian Paintbrush Castilleja foliolosa


Small-Flowered Fiddleneck Amsinckia menziesii


Dwarf Checkermallow Sidalcea malviflora


Variable Linanthus Leptosiphon parviflorus


closeup of Variable Linanthus Leptosiphon parviflorus


end of road to top of Mt. Umunhum


Ginger at the top of Mt. Umunhum

The End!