Late spring 2005 has turned out to be a banner season for waterfalls and wildflowers, so Dick and Geno drove up to Grouse Falls and Placer Big Trees Grove, both located off Mosquito Ridge Road between Foresthill and French Meadows Reservior.

A short ½-mile hike leads to an observation platform to view Grouse Falls across a deep canyon. The falls tumble down approximately 600 vertical feet.

The Placer Big Trees Grove of the Giant Sequoia, Sequoiadendron giganteum, is the northernmost grove of this species in existence. This small redwood grove, originally consisting of only six trees, was discovered in 1855 by Joe Matlock. A 1½-mile trail meanders through an old-growth forest of conifers -- Douglas Firs, Ponderosa and Sugar Pines and Incense Cedars -- some as tall or taller than the redwoods.

Wildflowers were abundant both on the drive up Mosquito Ridge Road and in the forest of the Big Trees Grove.

 
Bridge over the north fork of the middle fork of the American River below Foresthill
 
Bush Monkey Flowers were in profusion on the roadside cliffs
 
Cascading Grouse Falls (600') from the viewing platform
 
A couple of old growth Douglas Fir trees
 
Emerging bear grass grows into some provocative shapes
 
Hmmm....a couple more interestingly shaped bear grass blossoms
 
Mahala Mat, an alpine ground cover
 
Unidentified #1 Fuzzy fringe flower appropriately named Pussy Ears
 
Ground Iris Pretty Face
 
Bark patterns of Ponderosa Pines
 
Indian Paint Brush
 
Yellow Wood Violet

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