The car was loaded early in the morning of May 30th at Samuel P Taylor State Park. San Francisco freeways were then criss-crossed to eventually arrive at Mount Diablo summit about 2 pm, after climbing the narrow road from Danville to the top of the mountain. A few flowers were photographed close to the top. A brief break was taken at the summit, to enjoy the panoramic view and observe with admiration a handful of bicyclists who had “legged” it all the way to the top. The two miles to Juniper Camp were then descended to set up camp. (Since this was the last time the car would be used before driving home, photography was limited to just plants/butterflies, because batteries could not be recharged.)

(Butterfly Mariposa Lily, Deer Flat Trail, Mount Diablo)

After that, a short walk along Deer Flat Trail, leading off from Juniper Camp, seemed like the best plan. Within a short time, one of the plants for which Mount Diablo is famous, the Mount Diablo Fairy Lantern, was found. There were a number of other plants seen on the short walk; Butterfly Mariposa, Red Ribbons Clarkia, Pink Spineflower, Woolly Sunflower, Mule’s Ears, and many Chaparral Clematis seeds on vines hanging from a variety of shrubs/trees. In the camp itself, besides the Juniper trees, there were many oaks and other trees, such as California Hoptree.

(Road from Juniper Camp to Summit)

On the drive up the mountain, the best “plant” areas were seen at Rock City and the road between Juniper Camp and the Summit. Thus on May 31st, a walk was undertaken from Juniper camp to the Summit and back again, a distance of two miles there and two miles back, and an altitude change of about 800 feet.

(Foothill Penstemon on Summit Road, Mount Diablo)

It was a very profitable walk – many plants were seen despite being late in a very dry season. Plants photographed were: Cobweb Thistle, Yerba Santa, Golden Yarrow, Whispering Bells, Golden Blazing-star, Common Broomrape, Golden Eardrops, Colchita or Hill Lotus, Pink Spineflower, Imbricate Phacelia, Foothill Penstemon, Woolly Sunflower, Blue Witch and Gumweed. The most popular plants for insects were Yerba Santa, Golden Yarrow, Gumweed, Woolly Sunflower, Foothill Penstemon and Cobweb Thistle.

(Gorgon Copper on Woolly Sunflower)

On June 1st, on the way down the mountain, a stop was made at Rock City to photograph Yellow Mariposa Lily and Ithuriel’s Spear amongst others.

(Yellow Mariposa Lily at Rock City)

Thereafter, the hours of that day until shortly after 4pm, were spent traveling home.

Slideshows

• Mount Diablo

Links of Interest

• Mount Diablo SP
• Mount Diablo Interpretive Association
• Mount Diablo Live Cam
• Mount Diablo: Plants of the Summit and Fire Interpretive Trail