Being outdoors on a fresh spring day is thrilling, especially if you're hiking on a path known for its abundant springtime flowers. I'm not sure if spring or autumn is best, both have their advantages, but in spring there's a sense of renewal and rebirth, and I like that. Right now, our yard is filled with purple blossoms, just like we would see on the Buttermilk Bend trail. But purple wasn't the only color we'd see today -- decorative yellows line a trail hillside, as you see in the photo below.
Buttermilk Bend trail is part of South Yuba River State Park. The So Yuba River is ripping along at an average 3,000 cfs, and I do mean ripping! So loud that the river's roar could drown out normal conversation if you were close to it.
In February 2024, the trail was closed due to a washout about a half mile in, and we missed our annual wildflower walk that year. We were delighted to hear the news that this favorite trail (of many) had reopened a couple of weeks ago and happy to step on the new bridge, above, spanning the washout; this would be our first spring trip on this trail in two years.
Lupines were the star of the show today, it being a bit late in the season (at this elevation, less than 1,000') for heaps of Poppies and other early bloomers. But the Lupines made up for any seeming lack, and Poppies were indeed scattered along the way.
These two, Canyon Dudleya and Lupine, were eye-catching favorites.
White Globe Lilies favored shadier spots. They seem so delicate.
Purple and gold, y'all.
Pipevine Swallowtails were busy flying from flower to flower. Hard to get a decent photo when they don't light on the front of a flower. They're black with iridescent blue hindwings and they're beautiful.
Jimmy and I were not alone. Plenty of others were Out and About, even kids. Then we remembered today was Good Friday and kids were on spring break and parents probably had the day off. And the trail was open again, yeehaw!
A profusion of Blue Dicks.
You know that water is snow melt, right, coming from the High Sierra, where they've had tons o' snow this winter. The river was high, fast and cold. Deadly if you somehow fell in.
The temp at our house when we left was in the mid-50's, so we pulled on long pants and long-sleeved shirts. Phooey. I never get it right -- we should've worn shorts and T's -- temp here was in the mid-70's. Lower elevation and south-facing hills make a big difference. A cool breeze wafting off the water felt good.
Before too long we realized we weren't seeing bees. With so much to pollinate, shouldn't there be a goodly number of bees? There's one on the Lupine, above, but we had to search for it.
Look! Aan entire village of Chinese Houses!
This huge and gorgeous Silverbush Lupine sat by itself on an eroded hump, but it looked happy!
Altogether now! Lupine, Poppies, Canyon Dudleya, Bush Monkeyflower, and Bird's Foot Cliffbrake. We saw many more varieties: Twining Snakelily, Dutchman's Pipe, Prettyface, Purple Sanicle, and so on and so on.
Love this side-by-side arrangement.
Always good to know and pass it on. Parking here is ten bucks, but I think most folks don't mind paying for such a great 2.5-mile out-and-back hike. I wouldn't try being here on a weekend (or a holiday, but retired people don't always know what day it is). 😊 South Yuba State Park is less than 20 miles from our house, easy-peasy for us -- we are so fortunate to be close to such outstanding parks!
Anyhoot, we enjoyed our time here, despite the crowd -- under blue skies and with flowers galore, listening to a wild river the entire distance, what's not to like?
Happy Easter!
