Indian Paint Brush

Castilleja sp.

We'd heard that the wildflowers were peaking at Carson Pass in the Sierras, so my friend Jane and I made a quick decision to head for the area, do some hiking and enjoy some of the best flowers ever.

We left home at 7:00 a.m. and found and paid for a campsite at Kirkwood Lake. We didn't wait to set up our tents and headed for the trail head at Woods Lake, elevation 8240'. We then hiked to Winnemucca Lake, elevation 8980', because we had heard the hillside above this trail had one of the best flower displays. Having driven up from sea level, we really felt the elevation. The flowers were spectacular and the weather was perfect. We weren't at all disappointed.

The mid-day light wasn't great for photography, but the flowers and scenery were good for the soul.