What better way to celebrate the coming of spring than a morning in the Merced River Canyon admiring the blooming flowers there? This month we are partnering with the Central Sierra Chapter of the California Native Plant Society to share knowledge and wonder together at the season’s spring blossoms and the beautiful ecosystems that accompany them.
Please RSVP so that we can keep you posted on information or updates to the event.
When/Where:
- Saturday, April 12, 2025
- 9 am – ~1 pm
- Meet at El Portal Market on Highway 140 (10913 CA-140, El Portal, CA 95318)
The El Portal Market is right off Highway 140 by the gas station, easy to find, and, importantly for coordination, has cell reception. This will not be true for the other places that we will be going to for the day, so be aware and plan ahead!
From El Portal Market, we will carpool downcanyon to the trailhead at Incline, which has limited parking close to the trailhead. Experienced nature journalers will be free to explore at their pace, while those new to nature journaling or who would like a little more guidance are welcome to hang back for a brief introduction before we set out.
At 12:30 pm, we will regroup at McClendon’s Beach Day-Use Area for a pot-luck picnic lunch. McClendon’s is roughly a half-mile back up the road that we came in on.
Are you interested in car-pooling/or catching a ride from Yosemite Valley or somewhere else nearby? Let me know, and I’ll see if I can help coordinate.
What to Expect:
Conditions
Average April temperatures are centered on ‘ideal’ in Yosemite Valley. It tends to be warmer in El Portal and sunny, and April rains are rare, so we can hope for great weather.
However, Ma Nature has been known to throw a mean curve ball or two in her time, so when it comes to conditions, be sure to keep your eyes on the ball. Take a look at the weather forecast for El Portal, where we will be meeting. NPS also provides a list of local forecasts, which vary tremendously by location/elevation. This can help you get a good picture of what to expect. Please RSVP so that we can keep you posted on event updates.
What we might see
Expect an abundance of wildflowers! The bright orange carpets of tufted poppies (Eschscholzia caespitosa) tend to peak in this area around the end of March, so by mid-April we should still be able to catch the tail end of that wave and should also be starting to see more different species of flowers blooming along the hillsides. Look for lupines, black mustard, yerba santa, Chinese houses, and many more species along this walk.
I know this is a wildflower-focused trip, but … people have also been seeing river otters near here. There are beaver signs further along the trail by the river. We may see a few Sierra Newts as well. The American Dipper likes to nest near the river, a leucistic acorn woodpecker has been sighted near El Portal recently, as well as ducks, swallows and more.
What to Bring
Picnic dish or snack to share. Please let me know if you have any dietary restrictions. I am aware of some people whose diets are gluten-free and dairy-free, and we have a few vegetarians and vegans among us. While not every dish needs to accommodate every person, it would be nice to have a nice selection available for our post-journaling gathering.
If you can, please also bring a reusable plate/bowl and personal utensils to help us reduce waste.
Something to write with and on. I’ll try to have some extras in case someone forgets, but a bit of printer paper and a pen or pencil work fine too!
Clothing layers and sun protection. In April, days can start cool (40 F/ 4.5 C) and then warm to a sun-drenched splendor. Again, you’ll want to check a weather forecast as the date approaches, but multiple layers are always wise in the mountains.
Personal Items. We will be out and about all morning and into the afternoon. Be sure to have a small pack with your personal essentials on hand. This would include things like water, personal snacks, minor first aid supplies, and anything else you might need for a morning outdoors.
Bathroom kit. There are no restrooms along the trail, so you may also wish to bring supplies to avail yourselves of the local bushes. (Watch out for poison oak!) If you bring toilet paper, you will also want to bring some plastic bags so you can carry your used paper out with you. (There is a restroom near the picnic area.)
Your Curiosity and Wonder.
Be Aware:
Like any outdoor area – like any area – being aware of your surroundings is important for your safety. A few things to pay particular attention to in this area include:
- Poison Oak – is a beautiful plant to admire from a distance. Be careful not to touch it. We will see a lot of it along the trail.
- Ticks – unfortunately. Yes. Insect repellent, wearing long sleeved shirts and tucking your pants into your socks are all excellent deterrents. Wearing light colored clothing will also make them easier to spot if they do get on you. (Be sure to check for ticks afterward as well.)
- The Merced River – will be running fast and cold in April. Practice good water safety and be aware of downstream hazards if you are close to the river.
- Rattlesnakes – watch where you step.
- The trail we will be on follows a historic railroad bed, so it’s relatively flat and easy to walk. However, a little less than 3/4 of a mile up the trail, a small rockslide has created a small but steep hill. There is a well-beaten trail across the slide but please take care, especially when returning down the steep section. Some people may prefer not to cross, or may wish to crab walk/butt scooch down the loose dirt.
I (Theresa) will carry a small personal first aid kit and have more supplies in the car, so please reach out if you are experiencing any kind of trouble or concerns. Please also know that I do not have a current WFR or any medical certification. This is a gathering, not a guided trip, so please take responsibility, be careful, and watch out for yourselves and those around you.
More Resources
Here are a few resources that you might be interested in for our trip: (Let me know if you have any other favorites to recommend, and I’ll include them here.)
- How to Draw Flowers/Plants – If you’re looking for a quick tutorial or refresher on sketching plants and flowers I highly recommend this series of tutorials from John Muir Laws. His enthusiasm as well as his artistic skill make watching his videos fun and educational.
- Yosemite Wildflowers app – This is the one I use most often. It does cost money, but once downloaded, it works to help ID flowers without reception/wifi, which will be critical at this location. Also, since this focuses on flowers inside the park, we may see a few lower-elevation species that are not included.
- The Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada – Paper is a wonderful technology. This guide includes not only many wildflowers we are likely to find but also provides insights and information on a wide range of exciting non-wildflower things we may encounter as well.
- Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Labs – As an aspiring birder, this is another app that I often open while out exploring.
A Special Thank-You to The Redwoods In Yosemite for the free Yosemite cabin rental in Wawona that will host a few of us for the weekend.
