Meandering in Mineral King

Warning: Long post ahead.

For some reason, choosing a destination and then chugging up a steep trail just isn’t floating my boat this summer. We did a quick down-the-road-and-up-the-Nature-Trail. 

Are these Baby’s Breath? Maybe.
These are fireweed. They are common in Alaska, and I recently saw them on a Russian photographer’s Instagram post. 
Sierra Currant – still haven’t formed berries. You first saw them here.
This bridge on the Nature Trail is listing downstream.
Almost back to the cabin from walking the Nature Trail. Looked as if it might rain – nope, bluffers.

We took a meandering walk with some cabin friends. When Trail Guy asked where we wanted to go, the friends said anything at all was fine with them. I said, “The aspens are calling me”. 

First, we went up the canyon toward Crystal Creek. This year the wildflowers are doing very well where it crosses the trail. This might be normal, but maybe I never paid much attention before because I was always aiming toward other patches of flowers. This year I am thankful for any green and any flowers that I can find.

We meandered to Soda Springs, and along the way we saw my favorite flower: Explorer’s Gentian.

I would like to know why some of these places are called “Soda” and others are called “Iron”. They all look like bubbling water that turns the ground orange; they all have the same yucky taste. Onward to the aspens. . .

Then we meandered down the old route AKA “old Farewell Gap Trail”. Nope, not a trail – it is simply a route. It was GREEN!! As we meandered, we found some things that normally wouldn’t be seen if we were thundering along a trail. Bane Berry is new to me – learned from one of my books that it is poisonous. (Good thing our friend held back from tasting it in spite of being tempted.)

What’s this? More Iron Springs? Soda Springs? Rusty Water?

Another Iron Springs, dried up?

Back at the cabin, I admired the Corn Lilies in bloom. This is an unusually heavy year for flowers on these plants that are usually just green, looking like and getting called “Skunk Cabbage”.

And thus we conclude another Mineral King meander.

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10 Comments

  1. Thanks! I feel like I made this soul refreshing meander in person! Sandy Crawford

    • Thank you for checking in, Sandy. I appreciate your comment. And oh my goodness, what a rainy week we’ve had up the hill.

  2. I like those white round little ball flowers with spikes that look like the coronavirus in your tenth picture. What are those called?

    • Marjie, those are called Ranger Buttons and are prolific this year! Thanks for checking in.

  3. Never apologize for a lengthy Mineral King post! I always enjoy (vicariously) your hikes in the valley and photos along the way. Lord willing, I’ll be able to do the same (in person) in a week!

    • Sharon, I thought I was warning readers so they could refill their coffee mugs before settling in. 😎

  4. Thanks for sharing your walk! Looks like a very enjoyable time.

    • You are welcome, Anonymous. Green is always a blessing in hot dry Central California.

  5. I enjoyed that from hot humid Austin. Thanks!

    • Hi Anonymous – thank you for commenting from hot humid Austin. Do you have a bumper sticker that reads “Keep Austin Weird”? I think that is so funny!

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