California Native Plant Society Sierra Foothills Chapter 2023 Field Trip Schedule

California Native Plant Society
                                       Sierra Foothills Chapter
                                      2023 Field Trip Schedule
After a three-year hiatus, the Sierra Foothills Chapter of the California Native Plant Society is excited to
offer a full slate of field trips for 2023.

All field trips require an RSVP. Some locations and trails will have a limit on the participants or number
of vehicles. Some trips are listed with multiple dates or a date range. These will have one trip with the
specific date to be determined based on plant phenology to catch the best blooms. Some trips may have
unplanned schedule changes, updates, or cancellations. Dates and any changes will be communicated to
people that RSVP directly with the trip leader. The website and newsletters may not reflect schedule or
meeting changes.

The field trip schedule, past years’ schedules, and other are available on our new and improved website:
https://chapters.cnps.org/sierrafoothills/meeting-events/

For all field trips: bring lunch, water, sunscreen/sun protection, appropriate clothing, and footwear. We
encourage closed toes shoes, pants, and bringing rain gear if there is any chance of rain. You are
responsible for your own gear, food, and water. Field trip leaders do not provide anything for attendees
other than cheerful guidance to experience native plants. Hiking level varies with each trip. Pets are not
allowed at our field trips. These field trips may include typical Sierra Nevada exposure to adverse
environmental conditions such as heat, rain, thunderstorms, poison oak, rattlesnakes, biting and
stinging insects, and potential for altitude sickness at higher elevations. Your trip will be enhanced by
bringing field guides, magnifying lenses, and a camera, though these are optional.

Carpooling is encouraged. Some field trips will have a cap on vehicles and a carpool will be arranged at
the meeting site.

Field trips are open to everyone, you don’t need to be a dues-paying member to attend, but please
consider joining our membership and supporting the good work of the California Native Plant Society.

Saturday, April 1 – Merced River Trail (Briceburg)

Leader: David Campbell with Bureau of Land Management Ranger David Greenwood
Hiking Level: Moderate - Flat Trail along railroad grade turned trail to start, then hiking up steeper foot
trail with moderate elevation gain. 5.5 miles out and back.
Description: Explore the main stem and North Fork of the Merced River to see early season foothill
blooms. This should be good timing to view the hillsides covered in poppies. This trip pairs with the May
6 Hite Cove field trip along the South Fork of the Merced River to view later season blooms and all the
forks of the Merced River. The trail is a flat railroad grade turned trail to start, then follows up a steeper
grade along the North Fork of the Merced and onto a different aspect where we expect to find a
different suite of species blooming.
Meeting Place: Meet at the Briceburg Visitor Center Parking (right off of Hwy 140). Compress into fewer
vehicles if possible to drive to the trailhead, about 5 miles down Briceburg Rd., a graded dirt road along
the River.

Meeting Time: 8:00 am
RSVP and More Information Contact: DCampbell.CNPS@gmail.com

Friday, April 7 – UC Merced Vernal Pools and Grassland Reserve

Leader: Joy Baccei UC Merced Vernal Pools and Grassland Reserve Director with David Campbell
facilitating
Hiking Level: Easy
Description: Explore the phenomena of vernal pools and their unique assortment of plants at the UC
Merced Vernal Pools and Grassland Reserve. Reserve Director Joy Baccei will lead to visit several pools
and discuss the natural history and up to date work at the Reserve. Find more details about the Reserve
here: https://vernalpools.ucmerced.edu/
Meeting Place: Park at the Le Grand Parking Lot (paid parking lot) at the UC Merced Campus, 5400 Lake
Rd., Merced, CA 95343. More specific information for parking and meetup location will be provided
once you RSVP.
Meeting Time: 12:00 pm
RSVP and More Information Contact: DCampbell.CNPS@gmail.com

Sunday, April 16 – Red Hills

Leader: Doug Krajnovich
Hiking Level: Part 1 easy / Part 2 moderate
Description: For Part 1, we will botanize the unique serpentine flora of Red Hills, starting around the
main parking lot. Then drive to the North Serpentine Loop and walk up the road and along the creek.
Those who want a shorter, gentler hike can turn around at any time during Part 1. For those who wish
to continue, Part 2 will follow the Railroad Grade trail back to the main PL (total walking distance 4-5
miles).
Meeting Place: Main parking lot with picnic tables and outhouse on south side of Red Hills Road.
Meeting Time: 9:00 am
RSVP and More Information Contact: djkran@comcast.net or landline: 209-580-4595 (no cell)

Saturday, April 22 – Stockton Creek Preserve, Mariposa

Leader: Peggy Moore
Hiking Level: Easy
Description: Come see what is flowering at Stockton Creek Preserve. With over 250 species documented
through iNaturalist and plenty of moisture this year, we should be able to see a variety of native species
in bloom. We will primarily use an old road to access the preserve, which is mostly easy, rolling terrain,
but there will be some hills.
The preserve is protected through a partnership between The Sierra Foothill Conservancy
(www.sierrafoothill.org) and the Mariposa Public Utility District. Established in 2011, this 410-acre
preserve supports pine woodlands, foothill chaparral, grassland, aquatic and streamside communities.
Meeting Place: Stockton Creek Preserve Trailhead, Mariposa. Meet at the large gravel turnout on
Highway 140 located 0.9 mile north of the junction of Highway 140 and Highway 49 North (that is, 0.9
mile up Hwy 140 north of the four-way stop adjacent to the Chevron station and Premier Valley Bank

[formerly Yosemite Bank]). The four-way stop is at the end of Mariposa closest to Yosemite. “Stockton
Creek Preserve Trailhead” is marked on Google Maps.
Note: Verizon cell service is pretty good in the preserve.
Meeting Time: Meet at 9:00 am. We will plan to be back at the cars by 1:00 pm.
RSVP and More Information Contact: pemoore4@gmail.com or cell: 209-617-7775

Saturday, May 6 – Hite Cove Trail

Leader: Tom Reyes
Hiking Level: Moderate – crowded narrow trail along a steep slope
Description: Join us for a hike along the Hite Cove Trail in the Sierra National Forest to view late spring
wildflowers in the Merced River Canyon. This field trip pairs well with the early-spring field trip to the
Merced River Trail near Briceburg to observe the change in flowering species throughout the season.
This trail is renowned for its botanical diversity and steep river canyon landscapes. We’ll see how our big
water year affects the wildflowers and explore the diverse vegetation communities of this special place.
This will be a slow-moving out-and-back hike, so you can turn back early if you need to.
Meeting Place: Hite Cove Trailhead next to Redbud Lodge on Hwy 140, 7 miles west of El Portal, 22 miles
east of Mariposa. Please arrange carpools if possible because parking space will be limited at the
trailhead.
Meeting Time: 9:00 am
RSVP and More Information Contact: treyes@cnps.org

Saturday, May 27 – Soils of the Motherlode

Leader: Theresa Kunch, Natural Resources Conservation Service Soil Scientist
Hiking Level: Easy
Description: We will meet at the USFS building where we will look at a freshly dug pit and discuss soil
physical and chemical properties and their effect on plant growth. We will then go into the soil lab
(where water and restrooms will be available) and while having a sack lunch we’ll look at samples of
soils from different local geologies. After lunch we will carpool to 2 or 3 different roadcuts (exposed soil
profiles along the side of a road) where we can use what we learned in the morning to compare some
soils of the Motherlode.
Meeting Place: Stanislaus National Forest Supervisors Office at 19777 Greenley Road, Sonora CA 95370
Meeting Time: 10:00 am
RSVP and More Information Contact: theresakunch@gmail.com or 209-591-3708 (cell) or 209-591-
5179 (office)

Saturday, June 3 – Mariposa Creek Parkway

Leader: Letha Goger facilitating, other partners may lead the hike
Hiking Level: Easy
Description: This short field trip is tied to our membership meeting. Jessica Thompson, Operations
Director from the Sierra Foothills Conservancy will speak at the membership meeting. After the speaker,
we will take a short walk along Mariposa Creek Parkway to view the established portion and next phase
of development. There will be additional events tied to National Trails Day over the course of the
weekend including an open session to visit with other partners on the project, representatives from

Mariposa County, and a volunteer opportunity. We will also be discussing future opportunities for CNPS
involvement on the Parkway project. More details will be forthcoming on specific time of the meeting
and mini field trip along the parkway. Later that evening, Mariposa Arts Council will host a free concert
for Music on the Green at the Mariposa Art Park.
Meeting Place: Community Room at Creekside Terrace, 5118 Fournier Rd, Mariposa, CA 95338
Meeting Time: TBD, stay tuned to our website, newsletter, and social media for more details.
RSVP and More Information Contact: lethagoger@gmail.com

Saturday, June 10 – Ackerson Meadow

Leader: Barry and Judy Breckling with Tim Kuhn or Mel Steller, Yosemite National Park Restoration
Ecologists
Hiking Level: Easy
Description: Four hundred acres of Ackerson Meadow, an area of critical wetlands and meadow habitat,
were added to Yosemite National Park in 2016. We'll wander through the meadow itself and visit nearby
areas that have interesting plants. Tim Kuhn or Mel Steller will also be present to discuss the upcoming
massive restoration project to repair the head cut creek and restore wetland hydrology, and wetland
plant species.
Meeting Place: Library parking lot in Groveland, just east of Mary Lavaroni Park on Main Street, Highway
120. Or at Ackerson Meadow Dirt Parking Lot around 10:00 am.
Meeting Time: 9:15 am in Groveland, 10:00 (ish) at Ackerson Meadow Dirt Parking lot
RSVP and More Information Contact: Barry and Judy Breckling at breckling@garlic.com or 209-878-
3041

June 25 or later, depending on snow conditions – Clark Fork to Boulder Lake

Leader: Doug Krajnovich
Hiking Level: Strenuous 8 mile roundtrip, starting at 6,500 ft. and ending at 8,200 ft.
Description: Buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) grows profusely around the border of Boulder Lake. That
is our target plant, and you will need to hoof it all the way to Boulder Lake to see it. Be prepared for one
or more creek crossings.
Meeting Place: Trailhead at end of Clark Fork Road. (Coming from Sonora, Clark Fork Road splits off
Hwy. 108 roughly two miles before Dardanelle. If you pass Dardanelle, you missed the turn.) Trailhead
parking is limited so you may need to park further back and walk to the trailhead.
Meeting Time: 9:00 am
RSVP and More Information Contact: djkran@comcast.net , landline = 209-580-4595 (no cell)

July 8 – 22, depending on best bloom period – Carson Pass Meadows

Leader: Bob Dean
Hiking Level: Strenuous due to high elevation
Description: The destination of this hike is a small meadow with a lot of native plants. The hike starts at
about 8,000 feet elevation and rises to about 9,000 feet, with a lot to stop and see along the way
including ancient junipers, beautiful scenery and plenty of wildflowers in the snowmelt-fed runnels.
Meeting Place: TBD
Meeting Time: TBD

RSVP and More Information Contact: 209-754-5887

Saturday & Sunday, July 29–30 – High Sierra Double Header: Saddlebag Lake/Twenty Lakes Basin and
Green Creek to West Lake

Motivation: We are bringing back the High Sierra Double Header and invite you to make it a weekend.
High Sierra field trips sometimes get canceled because of thunderstorms, and even with perfect
weather, attendance is often light because it is a lot of driving from the foothills for a day trip. Drive up
on Thursday or Friday; – find a campsite (or more comfy lodging in Lee Vining or Mammoth Lakes); – get
acclimated to the altitude; – then join us for one or both weekend field trips.

July 29 – Saddlebag Lake/Twenty Lakes Basin

Leader: Tom Reyes
Hiking Level: Strenuous due to elevation of 10,000 ft.
Description: View a huge diversity of wildflowers in a beautiful setting of alpine lakes and meadows.
Located at the convergence of granite and metamorphic rock types and nestled between Mt. Conness,
Shepherds Crest and Tioga Crest, this basin is a gem of the High Sierra. We will take the water taxi across
Saddlebag Lake to surpass a 1.5 mile hike along talus (or not if you're up for it!). The water taxi costs $13
per person round trip/$8 one-way.
Meeting Place: Meet at Saddlebag Lake Resort located up a well marked dirt road 2 miles east of Tioga
Pass. People who choose to hike around the lake can meet the group at the water taxi drop off.
Meeting Time: 9:30 am. People who choose to hike around the lake can find us slowly botanizing our
way away from the dock shortly after 10 am.
RSVP and More Information Contact: treyes@cnps.org

July 30 – Green Creek to West Lake

Leader: David Campbell
Hiking Level: Strenuous due to elevation, mileage, and elevation gain and loss
Description: Hike along Green Creek to West Lake with magnificent views of metamorphic geology along
the east side of the Sierra in the Hoover Wilderness of Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. We’ll start at
Green Creek Trailhead and hike towards West Lake with views of Gabbro Peak, Glines Canyon,
Dunderburg Peak, and Monument Ridge. We will compare vegetation to the Saddlebag Lake and Twenty
Lakes Basin trip the previous day. Total trail mileage will be 8.5 miles there and back with about 1,800 ft.
of elevation gain and loss. We may secure a campsite at Green Creek Campground, but can’t guarantee
availability.
Meeting Place: Green Creek Trailhead from Green Creek Campground.
Meeting Time: 8:00 am (earlier start in case of thunderstorms, may hike part of the way and turn back if
high chance of afternoon storms)
RSVP and More Information Contact: DCampbell.CNPS@gmail.com

August 26 or September 9, 2023 – Winnemucca Lake/Mokelumne Wilderness

Leader: Bob Dean
Hiking Level: Strenuous due to elevation

Description: This trail is well known for its beautiful vistas and splendid wildflower displays. There were
excellent wildflowers in 2019 when we visited on September 8. Trip may be pushed out to catch the best
blooming period. We will cover some ground and begin our walk back no later than early afternoon.
That time of year there's the possibility of thunderstorms building up by late afternoon and we don't
want to be caught in the open. There should be plenty of leisure time to look at plants and catch an
occasional bird. Carry a poncho or rain cover of some sort and something to hold body heat. Be sure to
bring water and something to munch on. Despite the altitude the walk will be leisurely so I don't
anticipate too much exertion.
Meeting Place: We'll meet at the Carson Pass sno-park parking lot on the north side of Hwy. 88
Meeting Time: 10:00 am
RSVP and More Information Contact: 209-754-5887