August Castle Peak
Area Wildflower Hike

Ten NWHP members and friends enjoyed a mid-August hike to view wildflowers still in full bloom, in the Castle Peak area off I-80. This hike had been postponed for a month due to snow lingering in high areas of the Sierras. Our hiker party was happily greeted about half way up the trail by slopes of yellow senecios, lupines, larkspurs, columbines, asters and monkeyflowers, to name a few.

We were surprised by the large number of hikers heading out, a few of whom were carrying large packs for camping out overnight. The view of the peak, 9,103 feet at the top, with craggy, volcanic rocks predominant, was an interesting backdrop to our lunch stop just below the ridge leading to the peak.

Our hiking group consisted of Donna Clontz, Kathy Drake, Carleen Ernest, Isabel Espinoza, Brian Ashleman, Art Hakes, Kathy and Charlie Noneman, Kay Sanders, and Jan Walker.

As usual, we talked about taking another hike in the fall to enjoy the fall colors in the high Sierras. Nothing definite has been planned, but if we do, our members will be notified.

Kay Sanders