Today was spent on White Mountain. It was the driest visit I have seen this area
compared to previous visits, It had less wildflowers in bloom in terms of
numbers and species. However, the low rain didn't take away from the Bristlecone
Pines, as they are as impressive as ever. Unfortunately, I never manage to be
there early morning or early evening to see or photograph them in the best
light.
The flowers were sparse on the paved road, which goes up to Schulman Grove. Even
Schulman Grove had a lot less flowers than usual. Also the new visitor center is
still under construction and won't open until September. (There is a temporary
visitor center in a trailer).
If you are willing to drive the rough unpaved but auto accessible road to the
Patriarch Grove you will get to see most of the flowers now in bloom. The most
plentiful flower is Coyote Mint and the greatest numbers of flowers are closer
to and in the Patriarch Grove. Both groves have Bristlecone Pines and hiking.
This time of year, with the long days, it is very tough to be at the Patriarch Grove early enough for soft light. And the good light only lasts a very short time before it blows out.
That dang road has given me two flats over the years. One tire was a throw-away. I finally learned to go nice and slow and air down. Going fast really smooths out the drive, but there is a price to be paid for it. Lots of sharp rocks.
Discussion
1 repliescompared to previous visits, It had less wildflowers in bloom in terms of
numbers and species. However, the low rain didn't take away from the Bristlecone
Pines, as they are as impressive as ever. Unfortunately, I never manage to be
there early morning or early evening to see or photograph them in the best
light.
The flowers were sparse on the paved road, which goes up to Schulman Grove. Even
Schulman Grove had a lot less flowers than usual. Also the new visitor center is
still under construction and won't open until September. (There is a temporary
visitor center in a trailer).
If you are willing to drive the rough unpaved but auto accessible road to the
Patriarch Grove you will get to see most of the flowers now in bloom. The most
plentiful flower is Coyote Mint and the greatest numbers of flowers are closer
to and in the Patriarch Grove. Both groves have Bristlecone Pines and hiking.
To see photos and plant lists go to:
http://naturalhistorywanderings.com/2012/07/15/white-mountain-wildflowers-71512/
That dang road has given me two flats over the years. One tire was a throw-away. I finally learned to go nice and slow and air down. Going fast really smooths out the drive, but there is a price to be paid for it. Lots of sharp rocks.