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A Cascade of Color

Bigleaf Maple, Spanish Creek (10/8/22) Michael Beatley

Whenever Micheal Beatley and his granddaughter, Liliana, go hiking, they’re sure to send back colorful remembrances of their hikes.

Yesterday, they hiked the Cascade Trail along Spanish Creek in Plumas County (northern Sierra) where fall colors are Patchy (25% of peak), though it’s also at a low elevation (3,200′).

They were surprised to find Mountain Sweet Cicely (Osmorhiza berteroi) in bloom, a short-lived perennial that grows across both American continents. It loves wooded areas and has a brilliant purple leaf at peak in autumn. In all other seasons, it is forest green.

We usually reserve a First Report for the first report submitted for a given destination, but the vivid purple of Peaking Mountain Sweet Cicely leaves is so rarely seen, that we’re scoring a First Report to Michael and Liliana.

Further, we searched and believe this to be the finest example of Mountain Sweet Cicely’s peak purple color to be found on the internet. Good eye!

Mountain Sweet Cicely, Cascade Trail (10/8/22) Michael Beatley
Quaking Aspen, Buck's Lake, Quincy-Oroville Rd (10/8/22) Michael Beatley
Cascade Trail, Spanish Creek (10/8/22) Michael Beatley
Cascade Trail, Spanish Creek (10/8/22) Michael Beatley
Cascade Trail, Spanish Creek (10/8/22) Michael Beatley
  • Cascade Trail, Spanish Creek (3,200′) – Patchy (10-50%)
  • Buck’s Lake (5,167′) – Patchy (10-50%)
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