In early June, flowers are adding splashes of color to a few trails in Northern Nevada, as well as one trail that’s a short drive across the state line into California. Where can you find some wildflower color? Here are a few ideas:
Fay Luther Trail, Gardnerville
As of June 9, orange and yellow California poppies brightened the Fay Luther trailside. To find them, walk the main trail from the parking lot and turn right on the first trail (the Fay Luther/Job’s Peak Ranch Trail) 1/3 mile from the trailhead. The poppies are less than a half mile from that righthand turn.
Along with the California poppies, you might see a white prickly poppy or two and even more on a hillside that’s recovering from a mudslide that happened a few years ago.
To see yellow wildflowers, including clumps of miniature yellow daisies, take the Lonesome Trail that eventually loops back to where you turned right from the main trail.
Another option to see white yarrow and mariposa lilies is to take the main trail from the parking lot as it ventures into California and turn right about a half mile up on the interpretive trail. The mariposa lilies are on the right after the trail climbs uphill and flattens out where there is a view of the Carson Valley.
Genoa Canyon Trail
The wild roses, paintbrush, arrowleaf balsamroot, and little white flowers we saw here over the last couple of weeks on the Genoa Canyon Trail may or may not be past their prime. But even so, there’s a lot of unique vegetation on the first half mile or so of this trail along with a bubbling little stream that makes it a relaxing hike. The trail becomes steeper after it veers away from the stream. You’ll earn some nice views of the Carson Valley as you trek your way steadily uphill.
Gated Road Next to Desolation Hotel
Drive into California from Gardnerville, about 20 minutes up State Route 88, and you’ll reach a place called Hope Valley. On the left side of the road is Desolation Hotel, As you’re facing Desolation Hotel (really a cluster of quaint cabins), to the right, you’ll see a dirt road with a gate. As of June 3, purple lupine, yellow violets, wallflowers, and snow plants decorated the trail for the first quarter mile or so. Past that the lupine had buds, so expect lots of color there soon, if they aren’t blooming already. When the lupine stop blooming, red paintbrush takes over here.
We went back here on June 10 and the lupine were still going strong,
The road/trail takes a steep turn to the right. A little ways past this you’ll find a miniature stream with geraniums, taller lupine and I think also delphiniums if my memory serves me correctly. As of a couple of weeks ago, those flowers were just leafing out, so they should be starting to bloom soon.
Another lush meadow farther up the trail also boasts bouquets of color. I have not been up that far this year yet to know how far the flowers have progressed. My guess is that they may have another week or so to go.
This road/trail is also a great place to see fall color.
