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Sierra Lily (Lilium Kelleyanum)
Could a wildflower be more elegant? The Sierra lily, also known by the common name Kelley’s lily, grows up to two meters tall in the wetlands of the High Sierra.
There is a special magic about alpine flowers in their natural habitats!
They are ruggedly unique, suited to their particular alpine environments, and yet delicate in their beauty. Whether it is in the Swiss Alps (see: Rainy Alpine Hillsides) or the Snowy Mountains of Australia (eg: Alpine Flowers and Summer Snow), there is something uplifting about fields and meadows of seasonal wildflowers.
So, I was thrilled when a friend of mine wanted to organise a week or two of wildflower photo-walks near her homes in the Eastern Sierras while I happened to be in North America. When the time came, our other intended photography-companions ended up elsewhere, so it was just the two of us following the hiking trails and seeking out the sights of Mono and Madera Counties, high in the mountains of California (see: Waters and Wildflowers).
Of course, you can never predict the best time for wildflowers, as they depend on the elevation, the depth of the winter snows and length of the winter season, and the timing and generosity of the spring showers. Still, California’s tourism trades on “blooms” and advertises the flowers of Mono County as arriving late May, hitting their peak late in June, and lasting through July. Hedging our bets, we’d planned my trip for mid-July, and the flowers did not disappoint.
We were based in the town of Mammoth Lakes, and had spent the morning hiking and photographing in the Devils Postpiles National Monument (see: Devils Postpiles and Rainbow Falls). From there, it was a short drive to the Red’s Meadow Area of Inyo National Forest. This is access point for the Agnew Wildflower Loop, an easy one kilometre (0.6 m) loop through lush, upper-montane grasses, and a variety of wildflowers.
When I’d had my fill of lilies in the Agnew Meadow, we drove the twenty minutes across to the base of the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, and took the gondola up the hill to see what was blooming there.
Agnew Meadow is at 2316 m (7600 ft) elevation; the base of Mammoth Mountain is 2743 m (9000 ft), and the top of the Panorama Gondola is 3369 m (11,053 ft). Naturally, flowers growing so high above the tree line are going to be compact and low to the ground, and therefore less ‘showy’ than the Sierra lilies on the Agnew Wildflower Loop. I loved them anyway – but was disappointed not to be able to get names for most of them!
Join me for some summer blooms in the Eastern Sierras:
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Agnes Meadows Wildflower Walk
This area is known for larkspur, lupine, lilies, columbine, and Indian paintbrush – some of which we didn’t see.
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Sierra Lily (Lilium Kelleyanum)
To my mind, the beautiful blooms of the Kelley’s lilies more than made up for any missing flowers in the mix!
A Single Bloom
The large, bell-shaped, yellow to orange flower has six long stamens hoping to attract swallowtail butterflies for pollination.
An Inflorescence
Each lily stem can produce up to 25 golden flowers.
Swamp Onion (Allium Validum)
The common swamp onion – also known as wild onion, Pacific onion, and Pacific mountain onion – is native to the west coast mountains of North America.
Common Yarrow – Achillea Millefolium
A member of the aster family, the tall, white yarrow has a long blooming season.
Monkshood – Aconitum Columbianum
I had trouble distinguishing the monkshood from the larkspur and lupine, but – based on the leaves – I’m pretty sure I’m right about this one.
Golden Buttercups – Ranunculus Occidentalis
Yosemite Onion – Allium Yosemitense
Or another swamp onion? I’m going by the colour, but to my eye, it could be either – or something else entirely!
So Pretty – So Poisonous!
The California corn lily or California false hellebore (Veratrum californicum) is a tall, pretty, and extremely poisonous plant native to these hight mountain meadows.
Over the Mountains
As we drive out of the meadow and back to Mammoth for lunch before ascending the mountain, we get views over the rocky crags and pine forests.
Panorama Gondola
The cable car up Mammoth Mountain takes us from 2743 m (9000 ft) to 3369 m (11,053 ft).
Summer Ski Slopes
The ride up the hill affords some great views …
Through the Gondola Station
… before landing us at the top station.
Gondolas on the Mountain
The mountain rises high above the township below, …
Summer Snow
… and the views extend in all directions.
Dirt Bike Riders on the Slope
Like many other ski resorts, Mammoth Mountain has gone to some lengths to attract summer visitors.
Low Rise Alpine Flowers
I loved the fuzzy, curling leaves on these little yellow flowers. I think they are one of the many hymenoxys genus, but I can’t find an exact match.
Tiny Succulents
In this high and arid environment, plants need to be low and compact to survive.
Lakes Basin from the Mountain
Sunny Yellow Flowers
Another lovely yellow flower; probably another hymenoxys.
Purple Flowers in the Gravel
This tiny little flower reminds me of the monkeyflower group – but again I could find no match on line.
Tiny Flowers Standing Tall
Tiny White Alpine Flowers
I think these pretty little flowers are ‘Moonbeams’ (Clematis x cartmanii).
Cycles at the Top of Mammoth
Mammoth Sculpture
After descending Mammoth Mountain, we pause to admire the giant mammoth statue outside the Visitors’ Center.
Fresh air, alpine walks and wildflowers –
Who could ask for more?
Happy Wandering!
Pictures: 17July2013
[…] took the hike to Rainbow Lake (see: The Devils Postpile), before walking around Agnew Meadow (see: Wildflowers). We passed it again, on our way back to the starting-point for the gondola to the top of Mammoth […]