Wildflowers take over Tahoe

Posted on June 18, 2008
Filed Under Outside |

If you haven’t noticed . . . the wildflowers are going off right now. Earlier and more abundant than ever.

Some say it’s due to the lack of spring freezes which allowed the flowers to propagate.

Others think it’s a distress response. A wildflower panic.

With the weather getting hotter “we’d better increase our chances by taking over this entire meadow or hillside.”

Everywhere you go, it’s apparent. And beautiful.

Hillsides of lupine, mules ear and arrowleaved balsamroot have been spotted on Highway 4 near Lake Alpine and Bear Valley, Sunflower Hill, on the road up to Martis Peak, Northstar and along the North Shore.

Scarlet gilia and golden rod fields can be seen along the Truckee River in South Shore.

And if you’re lucky, you can find elephant heads, shooting stars, lark spur and camas lilies especially around the Truckee River, Ophir Creek and Amacker Ranch.

Have you noticed the large fragrant lilac bushes too?

But don’t take my word.

Get out there and check it out for yourself.