#libre mountain

There is hope with the abundant winter rains that there will be a Super Bloom along the PCT. The previous post talked about the potential in general terms. Now we thought that we might highlight a couple of areas along the trail where you may encounter a Super Bloom this spring. We would appreciate readers sending us their recommendations too ([email protected])

Every spring, the PCT bursts into a colorful display of California poppies, with their silky orange petals. Among the places where you may experience a poppy Super Bloom is in the arm of the Mojave north of Libre Mountain. I had a wonderful walk through fields of California poppies on the PCT early one April. It is possible to get a sense of the timing and extent of the bloom at the nearby Antelope Valley California Poppy State Reserve by phoning the Poppy Reserve Wildflower Hotline at 661/724-1180 or visit the website: http://parks.ca.gov/?page_id=627

David Hough hiked the PCT in sections between 2001- 2013 and is about one third of the way through a second section-hike of the entire trail.  He just recently finished California’s Section E . . . an often maligned section that includes the California Aqueduct walk and can often be incredibly hot and dry.  But, if hikers hit it just right, the wildflower bloom can be spectacular.  As David said about his walk this year, “I was once again impressed by the wildflowers and green grass (and brush) and relatively abundant water, and during the week, nobody here except us PCT hikers.” 

Over the past month we have highlighted a number of the unique features of Section E -- the historic Rock Inn near Lake Hughes, the incomparable Casa de Luna, the site of the St. Francis Dam collapse, and, if you hit the section just right . . . the amazing display of flowers. Here are three of David’s photos (from top to bottom):  an amazing sunset from upper Bouquet Canyon, the trail south from Hiker Town toward the San Andreas Fault Zone and Libre Mountain, and a carpet of California poppies.

Indeed, every section of the PCT has its day.

I met ‘Happy Trails’ during my recent walk north to south along Area E. He is among the early long distance hikers and captured this shot of the lush growth of Claytonia perforliata under the oak canopy abundant in the Libre Mountain area.

Miner’s lettuce, the common name, refers to its use by California Gold Rush miners who ate it to get their vitamin C to prevent scurvy. It can be eaten as a leaf vegetable and is quite refreshing. I think it tastes similar to spinach.