Our final (scheduled) walk for the year! For this trip, we'll be meeting at the Lemmon Rd. McDonalds at 730am. We'll travel from there to the Hwy 395 Rest Area just south of Susanville (62mi), where we will meet up with other carpoolers.  We expect to reach our final location approximately 945am. 

Windy Hollow is one of the largest vernal playas in its region of California. Most others have been converted to reservoirs, impacted by grazing or agricultural use. Part of the Modoc Plateau region of the Southern Cascades. Its local area (which I call the Lassen Plateau) has never been thoroughly studied botanically, and has many state-rare plants. One unusual feature is a 50-foot vernal waterfall draining the higher elevations to the west, and is evident only at snowmelt during heavy water years. The site is relatively intact, now “protected” by Lassen NF fencing during the grazing season.

 Windy Hollow has three state-rare plants including the following: Rorripa columbiae, a mustard which grows on the playa bottom and is uncommon and scattered over the bottom, most often near the shorelines. The newly-named Pyrrocoma anemophila, which occurs by the thousands on the playa bottom. We will be the first group ever to see the Pyrrocoma under its new name. Eriogonum ovalifolium, species not yet determined, also occurring on the playa bottom and on the shores.

Participants can stay as long as they choose, though leaders will likely head out before 5pm. Please make sure you bring lunch and insect repellent. I strongly recommend the newly developed Picaridin, under the Sawyer brand and sold at Walmart. Non-cancerous and totally effective against Windy Hollow’s mosquitoes and wasps.