Hot Mineral King Time

When it is hot down the hill, we also think it is hot in Mineral King. “Hot” is a relative term, but when one is in the sun, with mosquitos and biting flies, one is uncomfortable on several whiny levels.

Here is a brief summary:

  1. The bottom mile of the road has been repaved; the upper sections continue to worsen.
  2. The biting flies and mosquitos are out in full force.
  3. People are still wrapping up their cars since the marmots are still feeding their young; theory (or perhaps it is “settled science”) has it that the lactating females are the ones who damage cars.
  4. The wildflowers are decent this year and many varieties are appearing earlier than usual.
Very green in spite of low water (that blue spot is a tarped car).
See? GREEN!
A single iris in bloom across the creek from us incites envy – in 30+ years I have only had one iris bloom.
A cabin neighbor has the most interesting door handle with a spoon for a latch (is that the latch? or is it a trigger?)
The fire crews left many piles like this around the cabins. They look as if they are waiting for a match – how’s that for irony?
The crimson columbine are early with a few profuse patches along the Nature Trail.
No biting flies or mosquitos show in the photo and you can’t feel the heat and humidity either; I braved both to bring you this photo.
This little weird flower is everywhere around Mineral King and nowhere in my wildflower books.
It is also almost impossible to get a clear photo – I deleted about 10 blurry versions.
The Mariposa lilies are thick along the last 1/4 miles of the road, looking like polka dots among the sage and ferns.

 

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