All kinds of colorful wildflowers at Davis Lake
By Don Quilici
After a record-breaking year of many major-sized snowstorms this last winter, the Davis Lake area, just north of Portola, California has some spectacular displays of colorful wildflowers blooming at the present time.
The wildflowers:
They can be seen along the east side of the lake, from the junction at the south end to the end of the paved road at Lightning Tree Boat Ramp.
Included in the annual display of wildflowers are scattered yellow Buttercups, a “zillion” yellow Mule Ears, all kinds of purple Lupine, rare and beautiful red Snow Plants (also known as Snow Flowers) and some kind of blue-colored ground cover (I’m not sure what it is called).
Three other locations where you can enjoy the wildflowers are:
— On both sides of Grizzly Road as you drive north past the golf cart overpass for the Grizzly Ranch Golf Course.
Keep your eyes peeled for lots of Mule Ears and Lupine.
— Across from the fire station on Grizzly Road.
There are countless Mule Ears in that area.
— On both sides of the newly constructed hiking path at Catfish Cove on the south end of the lake.
There is a good mix of Mule Ears and Lupine, together with other assorted flowers, as you amble along that path.
How to get to Davis Lake:
Davis Lake can be reached from Carson City by taking U.S. 395 north to Reno. Then from Reno go past Bordertown and past the Nevada-California state line to a junction with California S.R. 70 at Hallelujah Junction.
At Hallelujah Junction, take S.R. 70 west toward Portola and Quincy to a junction with Grizzly Road, which is about seven miles east of Portola.
That junction is just past a State roadside rest on the left and a cemetery on the right, after you have driven by the airport at Beckwourth and through the tiny Town of Beckwourth.
Turn right onto Grizzly Road and go north for about six miles to Davis Lake.
The entire trip will be about 80 miles (one-way) from Carson City.
The spectacular Snow Plant (AKA Snow Flower):
My all-time favorite wildflower is the Snow Plant, it is gorgeous.
Your best bet for seeing Snow Plants is on the right side of Grizzly Road, as you drive north along the lake, but you’ll need sharp eyes to see them.
The Snow Plant has a bright red color that almost looks unreal and it is found near pine trees in forested areas in late spring and early summer.
It can be either a single plant or in groups.
It resembles a tightly wrapped asparagus plant in the early stages of its growth and then opens slightly into a gorgeous red, bell-shaped flower.
The Snow Plant can be anywhere in size from only several inches tall up to a foot or more in height.
Some special tips:
— Remember that it is against the law to disturb a Snow Plant in California. Do not pick or dig up a Snow Plant, as it could cost you a lot of money if you’re caught.
— When you park your vehicle or walk across Grizzly Road, be aware of the high-speed traffic whizzing past.
— When you do spot some flowers, carefully park, well off the highway, and then casually wander through the forest.
— Don’t forget your insect repellant, the bugs are out in full force, especially the gnats and mosquitoes.
— Take a camera and enjoy Mother Nature’s beauty at this time of the year.
Finally:
When you are done, be sure to stop at “The Frosty” of the J & J Grizzly Store on the south end of Davis Lake for some food and drinks or supplies.
My favorite lunch at that location is a cheeseburger (no onions) with French fries and a can of pop. Try it, you’ll like it.
Special Note:
Last Friday on our photographic walk in the forest on the east side of the lake and at different locations around the lake, we saw a number of mule deer including a doe with twin fawns that still had their spots.
In addition, there were all kinds of seagulls, coots, pelicans, ducks and geese flying past us or swimming in Davis Lake.
Surprisingly for a Holiday Friday, we did not see many boats and only one group of six shore fishermen who complained that the fishing was slow.
Perhaps it was slow, because one of them was throwing a stick into the water where they were fishing, so their dog could swim out and fetch it back. Duh!
There were many campers in the one U.S.F.S. campground that was open, plus the campground was completely full at the Grizzly Store.
Bet Your Favorite Pigeon
Bet your favorite pigeon that he can’t tell you what is our personal all-time record for seeing the most Snow Plants at one location.
If he grins and says, “In 2009, Elaine found a group of 13 Snow Plants at one location at Davis Lake,” he could have been with us on that outing.
This year, the most Snow Plants we saw at one location were six.
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