Calphoto has a new wildflower report for Yosemite,395 and Sonora Pass:
Not great overall, as expected; here are the highlights:
- Some showy stands of elderberry between Big Oak Flat entrance & Crane Flat.
- Lots of lupine & madia in the burn zone above Big Meadow (between Crane Flat & the Valley).
- Lots of milkweed in bloom in Yosemite Valley, and more to come (lots of buds). Field of gilia capitata between Curry Village and Yosemite Village.
- Several showy displays of mountain pride along the Tioga Pass road, beginning a ways past the Tamarack Flat turnoff. Some of the best are on the east side of the pass, near the top of Lee Vining Canyon.
- At Panum Crater, lots of sulphur buckwheat & evening primrose.
- Plenty of wallflowers on the east approach to Sonora Pass.
See older reports at: calphoto : Where to photograph in California.


Because of the dry weather, do you expect the wildflowers in the mountains to be minimal this year? Do you think the wildflower season has past? I’m curious about the Yosemite high country or Eastern Sierras. Thanks!
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By: Linda, A Nature Mom on June 27, 2013
at 9:34 AM
I did see some flowers when I was in Lakes Basin/Plumas county area. It seemed on the early side by a couple of weeks:
https://naturalhistorywanderings.com/2013/06/15/northern-sierra-birds-wildflowers-and-butterflies/
I am guessing there will be flowers but early and not a great year. For eastern sierra I would check with the following, possibly calling before going:
Bishop BLM: http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bishop/wildflower.html#hotspot
Parcher’s Resort: http://parchersresort.net/
Rock Creek Lodge: http://www.rockcreeklodge.com/
For Yosemite I would call the Park and try to speak with a high country Ranger Naturalist and also follow their Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/YosemiteNPS?hc_location=stream
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By: Sandy Steinman on June 28, 2013
at 7:32 AM
Excellent! Thank you for the resources!!
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By: Linda, A Nature Mom on June 28, 2013
at 5:18 PM
I just found this report for Frog Lake near Carson Pass, which is predicting peak flowers this week, which is two to three weeks early: http://carsonnow.org/story/06/27/2013/outdoors-don-q-wildflowers-and-trout-fishing-frog-lake
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By: Sandy Steinman on June 28, 2013
at 6:07 PM