Plant Guide to S. Los Santos Trail / E. Hidden Valley Road, Santa Rosa Plateau

Plant Guide to S. Los Santos Trail / E. Hidden Valley Road, Santa Rosa Plateau

This is a working list, about which I make no guarantees at all until I officially release it. Use at your own risk!

Introduction and Explanation of Plant Trail Guides
Introduction
Highlights of This Trail
Fieldwork Dates and Summary of List Changes With Time
The Plant Guide
Comments On Specific Species
Introduction

Highlights of This Trail

The botanical highlights of this trail are:

Number of Unique Taxa On This Trail

The following histogram gives the number of trails in my database that contain each taxon on this trail. There were 90 trails in my database when this histogram was made; 16 of those trails, including this one, are at the Santa Rosa Plateau. A number of "1" means the taxon has only been found on this trail among the trails in my database; numbers of "16" or smaller may indicate taxa found only at the Santa Rosa Plateau.

Number of Trails
Containing A Taxon Number Of Taxa
On This Trail % of Taxa
On This Trail
1 0 0%
2 4 2%
3 8 4%
4 7 4%
5 2 1%

1-5 21 12%
6-10 20 11%
11-15 36 20%
16-20 27 15%
21-25 22 12%
26-30 16 9%
31-35 8 4%
36-40 10 6%
41-45 11 6%
46-50 2 1%
51-55 6 3%
56-60 1 1%
All 180 100%

We found 1 additional on-trail species not in the above table that has not been fully identified yet. The unidentified ones are marked with ?, sp or ssp in the id? column in the guide, and have no entries in the #all column.
(This section not updated since 20 March 2005.) The taxa that are unique to this trail, or found on only 1-2 other trails out of my 89 trails on 20 March 2005, are:

# of Trails Common Name Latin Name
1 Gambel's dwarf milk-vetch Astragalus gambelianus
1 California lotus Lotus wrangelianus
1 toad rush Juncus bufonius var. bufonius

2 Darnel Lolium temulentum
2 Indian clover Trifolium albopurpureum var. albopurpureum
2 English rye-grass Lolium perenne
2 flax-flowered linanthus Linanthus liniflorus
2 California oxalis Oxalis albicans ssp. californica
2 winged water-starwort Callitriche marginata
2 weak blue grass Poa infirma

3 common lomatium Lomatium utriculatum
3 balloon clover Trifolium depauperatum var. truncatum
3 tawny popcorn flower Plagiobothrys fulvus
3 purslane speedwell Veronica peregrina ssp. xalapensis
3 Siskiyou aster Aster lanceolatus ssp. hesperius
3 clustered field sedge Carex praegracilis

Fieldwork Dates and Summary of List Changes With Time

The following table gives the dates the trail was walked and taxa recorded. After each visit, the table gives the total number of taxa on the list and the breakdown of the taxa without positive identification. See Explanation of Plant Trail Guides to understand the symbols below.

Visit Date Visit # # taxa # "?" # "sp" # "~" # "ssp"
4/10/2002 1 84 2 9 3 6
5/7/2003 2 87 3 8 1 4
5/15/2003 3 119 1 4 3 2
6/8/2003 4 120 1 5 2 2
12/8/2003 5 121 0 4 2 2
12/8/2003 5 138 1 5 4 3
3/16/2005 6 157 0 3 6 3
4/13/2005 7 160 0 0 2 1
7/9/2005 8 178 0 0 2 0
9/12/2005 9 180 0 2 1 0
2/23/2006 10 181 0 1 1 0

On 5/7/03, only the first 0.03 miles was surveyed, since rain interrupted the survey. On 6/8/03, I made a quick trip only to mile 0.20 just to verify one species. On 12/8/03, I primarily was checking the Stephanomeria sp.. Also, on 12/8/03, I extended the guide to the Hidden Valley Spur using fieldwork from 4/10/02. The first entry above for 12/8/03 is just for the S. Los Santos Trail; the second entry includes the new portion.
The Plant Guide

Version for printing, without lines and other text on this page (9 pages)
The mileages have not yet been rectified to GPS measurements. In particular, the total length of this guide is probably 2.21 miles, not the 2.09 miles given below. I'll correct this when I do an accurate GPS'ing of the trail tied to landmarks in this guide.

Mile S # ID? Common Name Latin Name #Here #All
0.00 Beginning of south end of trail at jct. with Vernal Pool Trail; elevation 2080 feet (634 m); trail immediately descends from the Mesa de Colorado.
0.00 l 1 *soft chess Bromus hordeaceus 99 / 9 40
0.00 b 2 *wild oats Avena fatua 99 / 9 26
0.00 l 3 *ripgut brome Bromus diandrus 99 / 9 52
0.00 b 4 *short-fruited filaree Erodium brachycarpum 99 / 9 14
0.00 b 5 *smooth cat's ear Hypochaeris glabra 99 / 9 35
0.00 r 6 dwarf lupine Lupinus bicolor 99 / 9 29
0.00 r 7 graceful tarplant Holocarpha virgata ssp. elongata 99 / 9 15
0.00 r 8 sharp-toothed sanicle Sanicula arguta 50 / 9 16
0.00 l 9 *shortpod mustard Hirschfeldia incana 99 / 9 51
0.00 r Sign: "Los Santos Trail / To Ranch Road 2.4 mi"
0.00 r 10 southern California morning-glory Calystegia macrostegia ssp. arida⁺ 10 / 5 8
0.00 11 dove weed Eremocarpus setigerus 99 / 9 25
0.00 r 12 California buckwheat Eriogonum fasciculatum var. foliolosum 2 / 2 51
0.00 l 13 California-aster Lessingia filaginifolia var. filaginifolia 50 / 9 51
0.00 l 14 *red brome Bromus madritensis ssp. rubens 99 / 9 53
0.00 r 15 purple needlegrass Nassella pulchra 99 / 9 20
0.00 b 16 blue dicks Dichelostemma capitatum ssp. capitatum 99 / 9 46
0.00 r 17 San Diego birdsfoot lotus Lotus hamatus 99 / 9 24
0.00 r 18 rusty-haired popcorn flower Plagiobothrys nothofulvus 99 / 9 13
0.00 r 19 checkerbloom Sidalcea malviflora ssp. sparsifolia 99 / 9 25
0.01 r 20 splendid mariposa lily Calochortus splendens 99 / 9 20
0.01 r 21 purple clarkia Clarkia purpurea ssp. quadrivulnera 99 / 9 26
0.01 r 22 common lomatium Lomatium utriculatum 20 / 7 3
0.01 r 23 *narrowleaf filago Filago gallica 99 / 9 45
0.01 r 24 rattlesnake weed Daucus pusillus 99 / 9 29
0.01 r 25 johnny jump-up Viola pedunculata 99 / 9 16
0.01 r (telegraph weed, Heterotheca grandiflora; Vasey's prickly pear, Opuntia Xvaseyi; a young Engelmann oak, Quercus engelmannii)
0.02 r 26 Gambel's dwarf milk-vetch Astragalus gambelianus 2 / 1 4
0.02 r 27 balloon clover Trifolium depauperatum var. truncatum 99 / 9 7
0.02 r 28 purple sanicle Sanicula bipinnatifida 50 / 9 11
0.02 29 pin-point clover Trifolium gracilentum var. gracilentum 10 / 2 8
0.03 r (California everlasting, Gnaphalium californicum)
0.03 r (coast live oak, Quercus agrifolia var. agrifolia; California fuchsia, Epilobium canum ssp. canum)
0.04 Trail bends left.
0.04 r 30 fringe-pod Thysanocarpus curvipes 50 / 9 9
0.05 Trail bends right.
0.05 r 31 *windmill pink Silene gallica 99 / 9 33
0.05 r 32 leafy daisy Erigeron foliosus var. foliosus 10 / 9 44
0.05 l 33 tomcat clover Trifolium willdenovii 10 / 2 17
0.05 r 34 *hairy rattail fescue Vulpia myuros var. hirsuta 99 / 9 19
0.05 b 35 *hedge mustard Sisymbrium officinale 99 / 9 20
0.05 b 36 southern miner's lettuce Claytonia perfoliata ssp. mexicana 99 / 9 25
0.05 r 37 *common chickweed Stellaria media 5 / 1 25
0.05 b 38 common bedstraw Galium aparine 99 / 9 38
0.05 l 39 *redstem filaree Erodium cicutarium 50 / 9 55
0.05 r 40 coast live oak Quercus agrifolia var. agrifolia 10 / 9 42
0.05 r 41 *California burclover Medicago polymorpha 99 / 9 40
0.05 r (poison oak, Toxicodendron diversilobum)
0.05 b 42 *sow thistle Sonchus oleraceus 20 / 9 42
0.06 Enter small grove of Engelmann oaks.
0.06 l 43 *hedge parsley Torilis nodosa 99 / 9 14
0.06 l 44 tree clover Trifolium ciliolatum 10 / 2 12
0.06 l 45 blue larkspur Delphinium parryi ssp. parryi 10 / 5 14
0.06 r 46 *slender wild oats Avena barbata / 40
0.06 r 47 *Darnel Lolium temulentum 20 / 2 4
0.06 r 48 California brome Bromus carinatus var. carinatus 10 / 2 24
0.06 b 49 *foxtail barley Hordeum murinum ssp. glaucum 99 / 9 13
0.06 l 50 Engelmann oak Quercus engelmannii 30 / 9 23
0.06 r 51 *prickly lettuce Lactuca serriola 50 / 9 42
0.07 l 52 poison oak Toxicodendron diversilobum 10 / 9 43
0.08 l 53 wild-cucumber Marah macrocarpus var. macrocarpus 10 / 4 44
0.08 r Bench without a back.
0.08 r 54 *yellow salsify Tragopogon dubius 1 / 1 13
0.08 Exit small grove of Engelmann oaks.
0.09 r 55 Indian clover Trifolium albopurpureum var. albopurpureum 10 / 2 3
0.09 r 56 California lotus Lotus wrangelianus 5 / 1 4
0.10 l 57 red maids Calandrinia ciliata 99 / 9 17
0.11 Trail bends left.
0.11 l 58 *scarlet pimpernel Anagallis arvensis 99 / 9 33
0.12 l 59 blue-eyed grass Sisyrinchium bellum 99 / 9 19
0.12 b 60 western buttercup Ranunculus occidentalis 99 / 9 6
0.12 Trail bends right.
0.13 Minor local low point on trail.
0.13 l 61 *bristly ox-tongue Picris echioides 4 / 2 11
0.13 l 62 *Italian rye-grass Lolium multiflorum 99 / 9 18
0.14 r 63 silver puffs Uropappus lindleyi / 26
0.14 r 64 slender cottonweed Micropus californicus var. californicus 99 / 2 7
0.14 r 65 wrinkled rush Juncus rugulosus⁺ 30 / 5 13
0.14 r 66 dense sedge Carex densa 1 / 1 3
0.15 r 67 purple owl's clover Castilleja exserta ssp. exserta 5 / 2 13
0.15 Minor local high point on trail
0.15 r 68 *mouse-ear chickweed Cerastium glomeratum 10 / 1 19
0.17 b 69 *tocalote Centaurea melitensis 99 / 9 45
0.18 l 70 goldenstar Bloomeria crocea 20 / 1 12
0.18 r 71 *English rye-grass Lolium perenne / 2
0.18 r 72 California plantain Plantago erecta 40 / 2 13
0.18 r Begin field of slender cottonweed, Micropus californicus var. californicus.
0.19 r 73 three spot Osmadenia tenella 30 / 1 15
0.19 b 74 *nit grass Gastridium ventricosum 99 / 9 26
0.19 Trail turns left 90° around a large Engelmann oak.
0.20 r 75 warty spurge Euphorbia spathulata 10 / 1 4
0.20 r 76 flax-flowered linanthus Linanthus liniflorus 20 / 1 2
0.20 r 77 tawny popcorn flower Plagiobothrys fulvus 10 / 2 3
0.20 78 *Crete weed Hedypnois cretica 10 / 2 20
0.22 End field of slender cottonweed, Micropus californicus var. californicus.
0.22 79 one-sided bluegrass Poa secunda ssp. secunda 10 / 2 23
0.23 Jct. east end of shortcut trail (ahead); go right. In late 2003, the shortcut trail now looks like the main trail, with the trail itself becoming disused.
0.24 b 80 toad rush Juncus bufonius var. bufonius 30 / 3 14
0.24 b 81 clustered toad rush Juncus bufonius var. congestus 10 / 1 9
0.24 Cross small drainage
0.24 r 82 *cut-leaved geranium Geranium dissectum 20 / 2 13
0.24 l 83 *curly dock Rumex crispus 10 / 5 23
0.25 b 84 soap plant Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. pomeridianum 20 / 9 19
0.27 r (California thistle, Cirsium occidentale var. californicum)
0.28 r 85 chocolate lily Fritillaria biflora var. biflora 5 / 2 5
0.28 r (white-flowering currant, Ribes indecorum)
0.28 r Bench without a back.
0.28 r 86 southern honeysuckle Lonicera subspicata var. denudata 2 / 2 40
0.28 r A yellow-flowered "purple sanicle", Sanicula bipinnatifida
0.28 r 87 California everlasting Gnaphalium californicum 3 / 3 43
0.28 r (toyon, Heteromeles arbutifolia; grand mountain dandelion, Agoseris grandiflora; and a field of chocolate lilies, Fritillaria biflora var. biflora, and slender tarweed, Hemizonia fasciculata.)
0.28 r 88 climbing bedstraw Galium nuttallii ssp. nuttallii 20 / 3 30
0.29 Trail turns left and descends to cross drainage.
0.29 b 89 *winter vetch Vicia villosa ssp. varia 99 / 2 19
0.29 r 90 goldenrod Solidago californica 10 / 1 35
0.29 l 91 seashore bentgrass Agrostis pallens 20 / 1 11
0.29 r 92 milk maids Cardamine californica var. californica 20 / 1 6
0.29 r (meadow-rue, Thalictrum fendleri var. polycarpum)
0.29 b 93 *Italian thistle Carduus pycnocephalus⁺ 20 / 2 21
0.29 Cross drainage; local low point, elevation 1990 feet (605 m); channel was deepened by about 1 foot in early 2005. Very old Engelmann oak immediately downstream.
0.29 r 94 *little-seed canarygrass Phalaris minor 1 / 1 2
0.29 b 95 deergrass Muhlenbergia rigens 10 / 1 21
0.29 r (whorled dock, Rumex conglomeratus)
0.30 c 96 slender tarweed Hemizonia fasciculata 20 / 3 18
0.30 l (California squirreltail, Elymus elymoides ssp. californicus)
0.31 r (coyote bush, Baccharis pilularis)
0.32 l 97 fragrant everlasting Gnaphalium canescens ssp. beneolens 2 / 2 23
0.32 r 98 nodding needlegrass Nassella cernua / 17
0.32 b 99 Indian milkweed Asclepias eriocarpa 30 / 9 18
0.33 l Jct. west end of shortcut trail; continue straight.
0.33 r (laurel sumac, Malosma laurina)
0.34 l Field of purple needlegrass, Nassella pulchra; trail bends right and goes uphill.
0.36 l 100 blue wildrye Elymus glaucus ssp. glaucus 10 / 2 21
0.36 r 101 deerweed Lotus scoparius var. scoparius 5 / 2 29
0.37 l 102 *goldentop Lamarckia aurea 10 / 2 22
0.37 Trail bends left and soon flattens out.
0.37 r 103 chamise Adenostoma fasciculatum 5 / 1 37
0.37 r 104 yellow mariposa lily Calochortus weedii var. weedii 10 / 2 12
0.37 r (bristly bird's beak, Cordylanthus rigidus ssp. setigerus)
0.37 r 105 heartleaf penstemon Keckiella cordifolia 1 / 1 28
0.37 r (golden yarrow, Eriophyllum confertiflorum var. confertiflorum)
0.37 l Begin field of Mariposa lilies, Calochortus splendens.
0.39 r 106 Torrey's scrub oak Quercus acutidens 2 / 2 26
0.39 r (hollyleaf redberry, Rhamnus ilicifolia)
0.39 r 107 white sage Salvia apiana 1 / 1 38
0.39 r 108 strigose lotus Lotus strigosus 10 / 1 33
0.39 r (rush-rose, Helianthemum scoparium)
0.40 r End field of splendid Mariposa lilies, Calochortus splendens; trail curves right; cross old fenceline (see barbed-wire fenceposts on both sides; division between 1984 and 1991 purchases?)
0.41 l (Vasey's prickly-pear, Opuntia vaseyi)
0.41 l 109 San Diego wreathplant Stephanomeria diegensis 99 / 9 21
0.41 l Second chocolate lily patch on trail
0.43 Trail enters field of needlegrass, blue-eyed grass, and both slender and graceful tarweed. Edge of Mesa de Colorado ahead; view of San Jacinto Peak at 2 o'clock
0.45 l 110 canchalagua Centaurium venustum 4 / 4 15
0.45 r View of white spot on hill across drainage - rock exposure?
l 111 earth brodiaea Brodiaea terrestris ssp. kernensis 20 / 1 7
0.46 r 112 *prickly sow thistle Sonchus asper ssp. asper 20 / 5 30
0.48 b 113 popcorn flower Cryptantha intermedia 50 / 3 27
0.48 Trail steeply ascends edge of Mesa de Colorado.
0.48 b 114 caterpillar phacelia Phacelia cicutaria var. hispida 50 / 2 16
0.49 b 115 San Diego pea Lathyrus vestitus var. alefeldii 4 / 2 21
0.49 End steepest part of ascent; trail jags left
0.49 r (California sagebrush, Artemisia californica)
0.50 r (A patch of ~5 white-flowered "blue dicks" plants, Dichelostemma capitatum ssp. capitatum)
0.50 b 116 California oxalis Oxalis albicans ssp. californica 5 / 2 4
0.50 Trail is now on top of Mesa de Colorado and bends right; elevation ~2050 feet (625 m). Note unusual white blooms of bush lupine off-trail to left, looking like chick lupine, Lupinus microcarpus var. microcarpus
0.51 b 117 slim vetch Vicia ludoviciana var. ludoviciana 5 / 1 9
0.51 b 118 bird's-foot fern Pellaea mucronata var. mucronata 2 / 1 30
0.51 l 119 coast-range melic Melica imperfecta 10 / 4 43
0.51 b 120 long-stemmed buckwheat Eriogonum elongatum var. elongatum 20 / 2 28
0.51 r 121 narrowleaf bedstraw Galium angustifolium ssp. angustifolium 2 / 2 49
0.52 b 122 bush lupine Lupinus excubitus var. hallii 50 / 3 10
0.52 b The bush lupine produces a stunning display here and shortly beyond here, with colors varying from white to pink to blue to lavender to purple
0.53 r 123 lanceleaf dudleya Dudleya lanceolata 1 / 1 20
0.55 Trail jogs right.
0.58 r 124 common fiddleneck Amsinckia menziesii var. intermedia 5 / 1 15
0.58 l 125 bicolored everlasting Gnaphalium bicolor 1 / 1 29
0.59 Enter small grove of seven Engelmann oaks.
0.60 b 126 miner's lettuce Claytonia perfoliata ssp. perfoliata 50 / 2 23
0.61 Leave small grove of Engelmann oaks; trail bends right.
0.61 b 127 Spanish clover Lotus purshianus var. purshianus 99 / 9 31
0.62 l 128 vinegar weed Trichostema lanceolatum 50 / 9 15
0.63 b 129 *grass poly Lythrum hyssopifolia 50 / 4 15
0.63 c 130 winged water-starwort Callitriche marginata 3 / 1 5
0.63 l 131 shining peppergrass Lepidium nitidum var. nitidum 10 / 1 6
0.63 l 132 pygmy-weed Crassula connata 20 / 1 28
0.63 l 133 *annual blue grass Poa annua 20 / 2 12
0.63 l 134 purslane speedwell Veronica peregrina ssp. xalapensis 3 / 1 3
0.63 l 135 *rabbits-foot grass Polypogon monspeliensis 20 / 2 24
0.63 Cross drainage from old vernal pool at center of bowl-shaped area to left. (The old vernal pool area also drains to west.)
0.63 b 136 *Mediterranean barley Hordeum marinum ssp. gussoneanum 20 / 1 6
0.64 r 137 ground pink Linanthus dianthiflorus 5 / 1 9
0.65 l 138 brown microseris Stebbinsoseris heterocarpa / 1 3
0.65 l (California peony, Paeonia californica)
0.65 b 139 angel's gilia Gilia angelensis 50 / 4 14
0.67 Trail leaves the Mesa top briefly.
0.67 140 goldfields Lasthenia californica 5 / 1 12
0.68 l 141 prickly cryptantha Cryptantha muricata 50 / 1 16
0.69 Local low point on trail, elevation ~2020 feet (615 m)
0.70 r 142 slender wreathplant Stephanomeria exigua ssp. deanei 2 / 1 14
0.71 r 143 California thistle Cirsium occidentale var. californicum 1 / 1 11
0.72 Trail is now back on top of the Mesa de Colorado
0.73 r (horseweed, Conyza canadensis)
0.74 r (purple head, Acourtia microcephala)
0.75 r 144 Vasey's prickly-pear Opuntia vaseyi 1 / 1 24
0.75 r (California bee plant, Scrophularia californica ssp. floribunda)
0.77 Trail curves around a large Engelmann oak.
0.77 r 145 bajada lupine Lupinus concinnus 10 / 3 11
0.78 b 146 collar lupine Lupinus truncatus 99 / 9 24
0.79 Trail curves left 90°.
0.80 r (blue elderberry, Sambucus mexicana)
0.81 l Good view of Avenaloca and Redonda Mesas; (low wall made of basalt boulders)
0.86 r 147 laurel sumac Malosma laurina 1 / 1 42
0.86 l (California fuchsia, Epilobium canum ssp. canum)
0.91 Minor local low point on trail where it curves right around a large coast live oak
0.93 l Trail curves right 90° near local high point on trail; elevation ~2050 feet (625 m)
0.95 r New (in 2005) big Italian thistle patch, weeded out
1.00 l Note unusual hillside location for plants normally found in drainages such as Juncus rugulosus, Lythrum hyssopifolia and Juncus bufonius
1.03 l (closest blue elderberry, Sambucus mexicana)
1.04 Local low point on trail.
1.04 l 148 white-flowering currant Ribes indecorum 2 / 2 22
1.07 l 149 coyote bush Baccharis pilularis 1 / 1 25
1.08 l 150 *white-stemmed filaree Erodium moschatum 10 / 1 20
1.08 Local high point
1.08 l 151 horseweed Conyza canadensis 10 / 9 37
1.08 l Field of seedling coast live oaks, Quercus agrifolia, in 2005; 10% dead on 7/9/05, 30-40% dead on 9/12/05 and 2/23/06
1.10 l 152 California bee plant (dead) Scrophularia californica ssp. floribunda⁺ 5 / 1 17
1.10 Local low point on trail.
1.11 Local high point on trail; trail begins descent to Hidden Valley Spur Road
1.13 r 153 slender madia Madia gracilis 5 / 1 19
1.13 l 154 long-spurred plectritis Plectritis ciliosa ssp. insignis 30 / 2 3
1.13 b 155 grand mountain dandelion Agoseris grandiflora 5 / 1 11
1.18 Descent is now steep.
1.20 r 156 (dead) big squirreltail (dead) Elymus multisetus⁺ 10 / 1 7
1.20 Trail turns right 90°
1.21 r 157 golden yarrow Eriophyllum confertiflorum var. confertiflorum 1 / 1 56
1.21 b 158 *spring vetch Vicia sativa ssp. sativa 99 / 5 6
1.26 Huge patch of spring vetch appeared here in 2005
1.27 r (Huge circle of winter vetch, Vicia villosa ssp. varia, appeared a hundred feet from the trail here in 2003)
1.27 r 159 western ragweed Ambrosia psilostachya 50 / 5 37
1.28 b 160 *jointed goatgrass Aegilops cylindrica 50 / 9 4
1.29 End S. Los Santos Trail at Hidden Valley Spur Road; low point, elevation ~1920 feet (585 m); turn right on Hidden Valley Spur Road
1.29 l (western sycamore, Platanus racemosa; big leaf mistletoe, Phoradendron macrophyllum)
1.30 r 161 elk thistle Cirsium scariosum 2 / 2 11
1.31 l 162 *Bermuda grass Cynodon dactylon 50 / 9 31
1.31 b 163 *sand spurrey Spergularia bocconei 99 / 9 14
1.39 Begin steep short uphill.
1.42 Top of ascent; Jct. Hidden Valley Road; 200 inch telescope visible on Palomar Mountain; continue straight; elevation 1930 feet (590 m); sign facing that section of road: "Los Santos Trail (to right); To Adobes 1.5 mi (to left)"
1.46 l (California poppy, Eschscholzia californica)
1.46 c 164 rattlesnake weed Chamaesyce albomarginata 3 / 1 10
1.48 c 165 *knotweed Polygonum arenastrum 50 / 9 20
1.49 r 166 *rose clover Trifolium hirtum 10 / 1 13
1.49 c 167 *pineapple weed Chamomilla suaveolens 20 / 3 19
1.49 c 168 *weak blue grass Poa infirma 10 / 1 6
1.49 Cross small drainage
1.55 r Beautiful field of blue-eyed grass, Sisyrinchium bellum; local high point, elevation ~1940 feet (590 m)
1.61 r 169 ~ California meadow barley Hordeum brachyantherum ssp. californicum 10 / 1 3
1.62 l 170 mule fat Baccharis salicifolia 1 / 1 39
1.70 l Check for different Juncus or Eleocharis
1.74 r (Small field of California poppy, Eschscholzia californica)
1.75 b 171 creeping wild rye Leymus triticoides 20 / 1 12
1.79 l Good display of bush lupine, Lupinus excubitus var. hallii
1.83 r (southern cattail, Typha domingensis; former cattle holding pen)
1.91 l 172 small-flowered fiddleneck Amsinckia menziesii var. menziesii 10 / 2 8
1.91 r (Windmill)
1.93 l Jct. fenced-off old Hidden Valley Road; sign: "Hidden Valley Road (left); to Trailhead 1.3 mi (left)"
1.93 l 173 *horehound Marrubium vulgare 5 / 1 32
1.95 r 174 *bull thistle Cirsium vulgare 3 / 1 19
1.95 l 175 sp goosefoot Chenopodium sp. 1 / 1
1.97 r 176 Mexican rush Juncus mexicanus 20 / 1 16
1.97 Beginning of bridge to dross drainage; elevation ~1875 feet (570 m)
1.97 l 177 *whorled dock Rumex conglomeratus 3 / 1 11
1.97 b 178 common spikerush Eleocharis macrostachya 20 / 1 12
1.97 b 179 *dallis grass Paspalum dilatatum 2 / 1 9
1.97 b 180 Siskiyou aster Aster lanceolatus ssp. hesperius 20 / 1 2
1.97 b 181 clustered field sedge Carex praegracilis 50 / 1 4
2.03 Cross between two old supports for a gate
2.05 Saddle between Poppy Hill and S. Trans Preserve Trail ridge; elevation ~1910 feet (582 m); view of 200 inch Palomar Telescope ahead.
2.09 Jct. Trans Preserve Trail; elevation 1880 feet (573 m); see its plant guide if you are turning right on it; end this guide

Comments On Specific Species

Calystegia macrostegia ssp. arida. About half the plants at the SRP appear to be ssp. arida, with the other half split between sspp. "intermedia" and "tenuifolia". It has long troubled me to be finding three subspecies in the small area of the SRP. Worse, the classification of a given plant has changed with time, which was extremely puzzling.
These difficulties were resolved when I found clear evidence that subspecies "intermedia" and "tenuifolia" are bogus. Hence I assign all the SRP plants to ssp. arida.
Juncus rugulosus. This first specimen, growing in a fairly unusual location on the side of a hill, rather than in a drainage, has wrinkled leaves, but the stem is mostly not wrinkled or with obscure wrinkles. This is quite unlike the other specimens on the trail. It has a number of other differences from the other specimens, such as heads in groups of 6-11, not 4-8; a perianth length to 3.6 mm, not to 3.0 mm; and anthers much longer than filaments, not ~ filaments. Thus it almost appears to be an intergrade with J. dubius.
The more-recent Flora of North America treatment has combined these two species, and called it a single species, J. dubius. This makes much more sense, since the geographic distribution of the formerly-separate J. dubius was a bit, shall we say, dubious, occurring only on the periphery of the J. rugulosus distribution.
Elymus multisetus, Scrophularia californica ssp. floribunda. There used to be a good display of ~20 mature Elymus multisetus plants here (10 plants on trail, and ~10 more just off-trail), but they all seem to have died in the 2001-2002 drought. There was a single young plant off-trail near mile 1.13 in 2005. The Scrophularia californica appear to have been killed when a coast live oak, Quercus agrifolia, tree fell and smothered them in 2004 or 2005.
Carduus pycnocephalus. This noxious weed appeared here first in May 2003, and the four plants were removed. Unfortunately, in March 2005, several more appeared at the first location, which I weeded out, and a patch of ~500 hundred plants was discovered later on the trail. Carole Bell and helpers completely removed the large patch before they bloomed. In July 2005, I discovered two more plants just upstream at the first location that had already gone to seed, so there will be several hundred plants at the first location in 2006.
I thank:

Jane Strong for her considerable assistance with helping me to learn the plants of the Santa Rosa Plateau;
Kay Madore for assistance in the fieldwork on 5/15/03, 3/16/05, 9/12/05, and 2/23/06; and for finding Brodiaea terrestris ssp. kernensis on 5/24/03 and the off-trail Thalictrum fendleri var. polycarpum on 2/4/06; and
Marianna Settles for finding Trifolium hirtum on 5/15/03.

Number of Trails Containing A Taxon	Number Of Taxa On This Trail	% of Taxa On This Trail
1	0	0%
2	4	2%
3	8	4%
4	7	4%
5	2	1%

1-5	21	12%
6-10	20	11%
11-15	36	20%
16-20	27	15%
21-25	22	12%
26-30	16	9%
31-35	8	4%
36-40	10	6%
41-45	11	6%
46-50	2	1%
51-55	6	3%
56-60	1	1%
All	180	100%

# of Trails	Common Name	Latin Name
1	Gambel's dwarf milk-vetch	Astragalus gambelianus
1	California lotus	Lotus wrangelianus
1	toad rush	Juncus bufonius var. bufonius

2	Darnel	Lolium temulentum
2	Indian clover	Trifolium albopurpureum var. albopurpureum
2	English rye-grass	Lolium perenne
2	flax-flowered linanthus	Linanthus liniflorus
2	California oxalis	Oxalis albicans ssp. californica
2	winged water-starwort	Callitriche marginata
2	weak blue grass	Poa infirma

3	common lomatium	Lomatium utriculatum
3	balloon clover	Trifolium depauperatum var. truncatum
3	tawny popcorn flower	Plagiobothrys fulvus
3	purslane speedwell	Veronica peregrina ssp. xalapensis
3	Siskiyou aster	Aster lanceolatus ssp. hesperius
3	clustered field sedge	Carex praegracilis

Visit Date	Visit #	# taxa	# "?"	# "sp"	# "~"	# "ssp"
4/10/2002	1	84	2	9	3	6
5/7/2003	2	87	3	8	1	4
5/15/2003	3	119	1	4	3	2
6/8/2003	4	120	1	5	2	2
12/8/2003	5	121	0	4	2	2
12/8/2003	5	138	1	5	4	3
3/16/2005	6	157	0	3	6	3
4/13/2005	7	160	0	0	2	1
7/9/2005	8	178	0	0	2	0
9/12/2005	9	180	0	2	1	0
2/23/2006	10	181	0	1	1	0

Mile	S	#	ID?	Common Name	Latin Name	#Here	#All
0.00				Beginning of south end of trail at jct. with Vernal Pool Trail; elevation 2080 feet (634 m); trail immediately descends from the Mesa de Colorado.
0.00	l	1		*soft chess	Bromus hordeaceus	99 / 9	40
0.00	b	2		*wild oats	Avena fatua	99 / 9	26
0.00	l	3		*ripgut brome	Bromus diandrus	99 / 9	52
0.00	b	4		*short-fruited filaree	Erodium brachycarpum	99 / 9	14
0.00	b	5		*smooth cat's ear	Hypochaeris glabra	99 / 9	35
0.00	r	6		dwarf lupine	Lupinus bicolor	99 / 9	29
0.00	r	7		graceful tarplant	Holocarpha virgata ssp. elongata	99 / 9	15
0.00	r	8		sharp-toothed sanicle	Sanicula arguta	50 / 9	16
0.00	l	9		*shortpod mustard	Hirschfeldia incana	99 / 9	51
0.00	r			Sign: "Los Santos Trail / To Ranch Road 2.4 mi"
0.00	r	10		southern California morning-glory	Calystegia macrostegia ssp. arida⁺	10 / 5	8
0.00		11		dove weed	Eremocarpus setigerus	99 / 9	25
0.00	r	12		California buckwheat	Eriogonum fasciculatum var. foliolosum	2 / 2	51
0.00	l	13		California-aster	Lessingia filaginifolia var. filaginifolia	50 / 9	51
0.00	l	14		*red brome	Bromus madritensis ssp. rubens	99 / 9	53
0.00	r	15		purple needlegrass	Nassella pulchra	99 / 9	20
0.00	b	16		blue dicks	Dichelostemma capitatum ssp. capitatum	99 / 9	46
0.00	r	17		San Diego birdsfoot lotus	Lotus hamatus	99 / 9	24
0.00	r	18		rusty-haired popcorn flower	Plagiobothrys nothofulvus	99 / 9	13
0.00	r	19		checkerbloom	Sidalcea malviflora ssp. sparsifolia	99 / 9	25
0.01	r	20		splendid mariposa lily	Calochortus splendens	99 / 9	20
0.01	r	21		purple clarkia	Clarkia purpurea ssp. quadrivulnera	99 / 9	26
0.01	r	22		common lomatium	Lomatium utriculatum	20 / 7	3
0.01	r	23		*narrowleaf filago	Filago gallica	99 / 9	45
0.01	r	24		rattlesnake weed	Daucus pusillus	99 / 9	29
0.01	r	25		johnny jump-up	Viola pedunculata	99 / 9	16
0.01	r			(telegraph weed, Heterotheca grandiflora; Vasey's prickly pear, Opuntia Xvaseyi; a young Engelmann oak, Quercus engelmannii)
0.02	r	26		Gambel's dwarf milk-vetch	Astragalus gambelianus	2 / 1	4
0.02	r	27		balloon clover	Trifolium depauperatum var. truncatum	99 / 9	7
0.02	r	28		purple sanicle	Sanicula bipinnatifida	50 / 9	11
0.02		29		pin-point clover	Trifolium gracilentum var. gracilentum	10 / 2	8
0.03	r			(California everlasting, Gnaphalium californicum)
0.03	r			(coast live oak, Quercus agrifolia var. agrifolia; California fuchsia, Epilobium canum ssp. canum)
0.04				Trail bends left.
0.04	r	30		fringe-pod	Thysanocarpus curvipes	50 / 9	9
0.05				Trail bends right.
0.05	r	31		*windmill pink	Silene gallica	99 / 9	33
0.05	r	32		leafy daisy	Erigeron foliosus var. foliosus	10 / 9	44
0.05	l	33		tomcat clover	Trifolium willdenovii	10 / 2	17
0.05	r	34		*hairy rattail fescue	Vulpia myuros var. hirsuta	99 / 9	19
0.05	b	35		*hedge mustard	Sisymbrium officinale	99 / 9	20
0.05	b	36		southern miner's lettuce	Claytonia perfoliata ssp. mexicana	99 / 9	25
0.05	r	37		*common chickweed	Stellaria media	5 / 1	25
0.05	b	38		common bedstraw	Galium aparine	99 / 9	38
0.05	l	39		*redstem filaree	Erodium cicutarium	50 / 9	55
0.05	r	40		coast live oak	Quercus agrifolia var. agrifolia	10 / 9	42
0.05	r	41		*California burclover	Medicago polymorpha	99 / 9	40
0.05	r			(poison oak, Toxicodendron diversilobum)
0.05	b	42		*sow thistle	Sonchus oleraceus	20 / 9	42
0.06				Enter small grove of Engelmann oaks.
0.06	l	43		*hedge parsley	Torilis nodosa	99 / 9	14
0.06	l	44		tree clover	Trifolium ciliolatum	10 / 2	12
0.06	l	45		blue larkspur	Delphinium parryi ssp. parryi	10 / 5	14
0.06	r	46		*slender wild oats	Avena barbata	/	40
0.06	r	47		*Darnel	Lolium temulentum	20 / 2	4
0.06	r	48		California brome	Bromus carinatus var. carinatus	10 / 2	24
0.06	b	49		*foxtail barley	Hordeum murinum ssp. glaucum	99 / 9	13
0.06	l	50		Engelmann oak	Quercus engelmannii	30 / 9	23
0.06	r	51		*prickly lettuce	Lactuca serriola	50 / 9	42
0.07	l	52		poison oak	Toxicodendron diversilobum	10 / 9	43
0.08	l	53		wild-cucumber	Marah macrocarpus var. macrocarpus	10 / 4	44
0.08	r			Bench without a back.
0.08	r	54		*yellow salsify	Tragopogon dubius	1 / 1	13
0.08				Exit small grove of Engelmann oaks.
0.09	r	55		Indian clover	Trifolium albopurpureum var. albopurpureum	10 / 2	3
0.09	r	56		California lotus	Lotus wrangelianus	5 / 1	4
0.10	l	57		red maids	Calandrinia ciliata	99 / 9	17
0.11				Trail bends left.
0.11	l	58		*scarlet pimpernel	Anagallis arvensis	99 / 9	33
0.12	l	59		blue-eyed grass	Sisyrinchium bellum	99 / 9	19
0.12	b	60		western buttercup	Ranunculus occidentalis	99 / 9	6
0.12				Trail bends right.
0.13				Minor local low point on trail.
0.13	l	61		*bristly ox-tongue	Picris echioides	4 / 2	11
0.13	l	62		*Italian rye-grass	Lolium multiflorum	99 / 9	18
0.14	r	63		silver puffs	Uropappus lindleyi	/	26
0.14	r	64		slender cottonweed	Micropus californicus var. californicus	99 / 2	7
0.14	r	65		wrinkled rush	Juncus rugulosus⁺	30 / 5	13
0.14	r	66		dense sedge	Carex densa	1 / 1	3
0.15	r	67		purple owl's clover	Castilleja exserta ssp. exserta	5 / 2	13
0.15				Minor local high point on trail
0.15	r	68		*mouse-ear chickweed	Cerastium glomeratum	10 / 1	19
0.17	b	69		*tocalote	Centaurea melitensis	99 / 9	45
0.18	l	70		goldenstar	Bloomeria crocea	20 / 1	12
0.18	r	71		*English rye-grass	Lolium perenne	/	2
0.18	r	72		California plantain	Plantago erecta	40 / 2	13
0.18	r			Begin field of slender cottonweed, Micropus californicus var. californicus.
0.19	r	73		three spot	Osmadenia tenella	30 / 1	15
0.19	b	74		*nit grass	Gastridium ventricosum	99 / 9	26
0.19				Trail turns left 90° around a large Engelmann oak.
0.20	r	75		warty spurge	Euphorbia spathulata	10 / 1	4
0.20	r	76		flax-flowered linanthus	Linanthus liniflorus	20 / 1	2
0.20	r	77		tawny popcorn flower	Plagiobothrys fulvus	10 / 2	3
0.20		78		*Crete weed	Hedypnois cretica	10 / 2	20
0.22				End field of slender cottonweed, Micropus californicus var. californicus.
0.22		79		one-sided bluegrass	Poa secunda ssp. secunda	10 / 2	23
0.23				Jct. east end of shortcut trail (ahead); go right. In late 2003, the shortcut trail now looks like the main trail, with the trail itself becoming disused.
0.24	b	80		toad rush	Juncus bufonius var. bufonius	30 / 3	14
0.24	b	81		clustered toad rush	Juncus bufonius var. congestus	10 / 1	9
0.24				Cross small drainage
0.24	r	82		*cut-leaved geranium	Geranium dissectum	20 / 2	13
0.24	l	83		*curly dock	Rumex crispus	10 / 5	23
0.25	b	84		soap plant	Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. pomeridianum	20 / 9	19
0.27	r			(California thistle, Cirsium occidentale var. californicum)
0.28	r	85		chocolate lily	Fritillaria biflora var. biflora	5 / 2	5
0.28	r			(white-flowering currant, Ribes indecorum)
0.28	r			Bench without a back.
0.28	r	86		southern honeysuckle	Lonicera subspicata var. denudata	2 / 2	40
0.28	r			A yellow-flowered "purple sanicle", Sanicula bipinnatifida
0.28	r	87		California everlasting	Gnaphalium californicum	3 / 3	43
0.28	r			(toyon, Heteromeles arbutifolia; grand mountain dandelion, Agoseris grandiflora; and a field of chocolate lilies, Fritillaria biflora var. biflora, and slender tarweed, Hemizonia fasciculata.)
0.28	r	88		climbing bedstraw	Galium nuttallii ssp. nuttallii	20 / 3	30
0.29				Trail turns left and descends to cross drainage.
0.29	b	89		*winter vetch	Vicia villosa ssp. varia	99 / 2	19
0.29	r	90		goldenrod	Solidago californica	10 / 1	35
0.29	l	91		seashore bentgrass	Agrostis pallens	20 / 1	11
0.29	r	92		milk maids	Cardamine californica var. californica	20 / 1	6
0.29	r			(meadow-rue, Thalictrum fendleri var. polycarpum)
0.29	b	93		*Italian thistle	Carduus pycnocephalus⁺	20 / 2	21
0.29				Cross drainage; local low point, elevation 1990 feet (605 m); channel was deepened by about 1 foot in early 2005. Very old Engelmann oak immediately downstream.
0.29	r	94		*little-seed canarygrass	Phalaris minor	1 / 1	2
0.29	b	95		deergrass	Muhlenbergia rigens	10 / 1	21
0.29	r			(whorled dock, Rumex conglomeratus)
0.30	c	96		slender tarweed	Hemizonia fasciculata	20 / 3	18
0.30	l			(California squirreltail, Elymus elymoides ssp. californicus)
0.31	r			(coyote bush, Baccharis pilularis)
0.32	l	97		fragrant everlasting	Gnaphalium canescens ssp. beneolens	2 / 2	23
0.32	r	98		nodding needlegrass	Nassella cernua	/	17
0.32	b	99		Indian milkweed	Asclepias eriocarpa	30 / 9	18
0.33	l			Jct. west end of shortcut trail; continue straight.
0.33	r			(laurel sumac, Malosma laurina)
0.34	l			Field of purple needlegrass, Nassella pulchra; trail bends right and goes uphill.
0.36	l	100		blue wildrye	Elymus glaucus ssp. glaucus	10 / 2	21
0.36	r	101		deerweed	Lotus scoparius var. scoparius	5 / 2	29
0.37	l	102		*goldentop	Lamarckia aurea	10 / 2	22
0.37				Trail bends left and soon flattens out.
0.37	r	103		chamise	Adenostoma fasciculatum	5 / 1	37
0.37	r	104		yellow mariposa lily	Calochortus weedii var. weedii	10 / 2	12
0.37	r			(bristly bird's beak, Cordylanthus rigidus ssp. setigerus)
0.37	r	105		heartleaf penstemon	Keckiella cordifolia	1 / 1	28
0.37	r			(golden yarrow, Eriophyllum confertiflorum var. confertiflorum)
0.37	l			Begin field of Mariposa lilies, Calochortus splendens.
0.39	r	106		Torrey's scrub oak	Quercus acutidens	2 / 2	26
0.39	r			(hollyleaf redberry, Rhamnus ilicifolia)
0.39	r	107		white sage	Salvia apiana	1 / 1	38
0.39	r	108		strigose lotus	Lotus strigosus	10 / 1	33
0.39	r			(rush-rose, Helianthemum scoparium)
0.40	r			End field of splendid Mariposa lilies, Calochortus splendens; trail curves right; cross old fenceline (see barbed-wire fenceposts on both sides; division between 1984 and 1991 purchases?)
0.41	l			(Vasey's prickly-pear, Opuntia vaseyi)
0.41	l	109		San Diego wreathplant	Stephanomeria diegensis	99 / 9	21
0.41	l			Second chocolate lily patch on trail
0.43				Trail enters field of needlegrass, blue-eyed grass, and both slender and graceful tarweed. Edge of Mesa de Colorado ahead; view of San Jacinto Peak at 2 o'clock
0.45	l	110		canchalagua	Centaurium venustum	4 / 4	15
0.45	r			View of white spot on hill across drainage - rock exposure?
	l	111		earth brodiaea	Brodiaea terrestris ssp. kernensis	20 / 1	7
0.46	r	112		*prickly sow thistle	Sonchus asper ssp. asper	20 / 5	30
0.48	b	113		popcorn flower	Cryptantha intermedia	50 / 3	27
0.48				Trail steeply ascends edge of Mesa de Colorado.
0.48	b	114		caterpillar phacelia	Phacelia cicutaria var. hispida	50 / 2	16
0.49	b	115		San Diego pea	Lathyrus vestitus var. alefeldii	4 / 2	21
0.49				End steepest part of ascent; trail jags left
0.49	r			(California sagebrush, Artemisia californica)
0.50	r			(A patch of ~5 white-flowered "blue dicks" plants, Dichelostemma capitatum ssp. capitatum)
0.50	b	116		California oxalis	Oxalis albicans ssp. californica	5 / 2	4
0.50				Trail is now on top of Mesa de Colorado and bends right; elevation ~2050 feet (625 m). Note unusual white blooms of bush lupine off-trail to left, looking like chick lupine, Lupinus microcarpus var. microcarpus
0.51	b	117		slim vetch	Vicia ludoviciana var. ludoviciana	5 / 1	9
0.51	b	118		bird's-foot fern	Pellaea mucronata var. mucronata	2 / 1	30
0.51	l	119		coast-range melic	Melica imperfecta	10 / 4	43
0.51	b	120		long-stemmed buckwheat	Eriogonum elongatum var. elongatum	20 / 2	28
0.51	r	121		narrowleaf bedstraw	Galium angustifolium ssp. angustifolium	2 / 2	49
0.52	b	122		bush lupine	Lupinus excubitus var. hallii	50 / 3	10
0.52	b			The bush lupine produces a stunning display here and shortly beyond here, with colors varying from white to pink to blue to lavender to purple
0.53	r	123		lanceleaf dudleya	Dudleya lanceolata	1 / 1	20
0.55				Trail jogs right.
0.58	r	124		common fiddleneck	Amsinckia menziesii var. intermedia	5 / 1	15
0.58	l	125		bicolored everlasting	Gnaphalium bicolor	1 / 1	29
0.59				Enter small grove of seven Engelmann oaks.
0.60	b	126		miner's lettuce	Claytonia perfoliata ssp. perfoliata	50 / 2	23
0.61				Leave small grove of Engelmann oaks; trail bends right.
0.61	b	127		Spanish clover	Lotus purshianus var. purshianus	99 / 9	31
0.62	l	128		vinegar weed	Trichostema lanceolatum	50 / 9	15
0.63	b	129		*grass poly	Lythrum hyssopifolia	50 / 4	15
0.63	c	130		winged water-starwort	Callitriche marginata	3 / 1	5
0.63	l	131		shining peppergrass	Lepidium nitidum var. nitidum	10 / 1	6
0.63	l	132		pygmy-weed	Crassula connata	20 / 1	28
0.63	l	133		*annual blue grass	Poa annua	20 / 2	12
0.63	l	134		purslane speedwell	Veronica peregrina ssp. xalapensis	3 / 1	3
0.63	l	135		*rabbits-foot grass	Polypogon monspeliensis	20 / 2	24
0.63				Cross drainage from old vernal pool at center of bowl-shaped area to left. (The old vernal pool area also drains to west.)
0.63	b	136		*Mediterranean barley	Hordeum marinum ssp. gussoneanum	20 / 1	6
0.64	r	137		ground pink	Linanthus dianthiflorus	5 / 1	9
0.65	l	138		brown microseris	Stebbinsoseris heterocarpa	/ 1	3
0.65	l			(California peony, Paeonia californica)
0.65	b	139		angel's gilia	Gilia angelensis	50 / 4	14
0.67				Trail leaves the Mesa top briefly.
0.67		140		goldfields	Lasthenia californica	5 / 1	12
0.68	l	141		prickly cryptantha	Cryptantha muricata	50 / 1	16
0.69				Local low point on trail, elevation ~2020 feet (615 m)
0.70	r	142		slender wreathplant	Stephanomeria exigua ssp. deanei	2 / 1	14
0.71	r	143		California thistle	Cirsium occidentale var. californicum	1 / 1	11
0.72				Trail is now back on top of the Mesa de Colorado
0.73	r			(horseweed, Conyza canadensis)
0.74	r			(purple head, Acourtia microcephala)
0.75	r	144		Vasey's prickly-pear	Opuntia vaseyi	1 / 1	24
0.75	r			(California bee plant, Scrophularia californica ssp. floribunda)
0.77				Trail curves around a large Engelmann oak.
0.77	r	145		bajada lupine	Lupinus concinnus	10 / 3	11
0.78	b	146		collar lupine	Lupinus truncatus	99 / 9	24
0.79				Trail curves left 90°.
0.80	r			(blue elderberry, Sambucus mexicana)
0.81	l			Good view of Avenaloca and Redonda Mesas; (low wall made of basalt boulders)
0.86	r	147		laurel sumac	Malosma laurina	1 / 1	42
0.86	l			(California fuchsia, Epilobium canum ssp. canum)
0.91				Minor local low point on trail where it curves right around a large coast live oak
0.93	l			Trail curves right 90° near local high point on trail; elevation ~2050 feet (625 m)
0.95	r			New (in 2005) big Italian thistle patch, weeded out
1.00	l			Note unusual hillside location for plants normally found in drainages such as Juncus rugulosus, Lythrum hyssopifolia and Juncus bufonius
1.03	l			(closest blue elderberry, Sambucus mexicana)
1.04				Local low point on trail.
1.04	l	148		white-flowering currant	Ribes indecorum	2 / 2	22
1.07	l	149		coyote bush	Baccharis pilularis	1 / 1	25
1.08	l	150		*white-stemmed filaree	Erodium moschatum	10 / 1	20
1.08				Local high point
1.08	l	151		horseweed	Conyza canadensis	10 / 9	37
1.08	l			Field of seedling coast live oaks, Quercus agrifolia, in 2005; 10% dead on 7/9/05, 30-40% dead on 9/12/05 and 2/23/06
1.10	l	152		California bee plant	(dead) Scrophularia californica ssp. floribunda⁺	5 / 1	17
1.10				Local low point on trail.
1.11				Local high point on trail; trail begins descent to Hidden Valley Spur Road
1.13	r	153		slender madia	Madia gracilis	5 / 1	19
1.13	l	154		long-spurred plectritis	Plectritis ciliosa ssp. insignis	30 / 2	3
1.13	b	155		grand mountain dandelion	Agoseris grandiflora	5 / 1	11
1.18				Descent is now steep.
1.20	r	156		(dead) big squirreltail	(dead) Elymus multisetus⁺	10 / 1	7
1.20				Trail turns right 90°
1.21	r	157		golden yarrow	Eriophyllum confertiflorum var. confertiflorum	1 / 1	56
1.21	b	158		*spring vetch	Vicia sativa ssp. sativa	99 / 5	6
1.26				Huge patch of spring vetch appeared here in 2005
1.27	r			(Huge circle of winter vetch, Vicia villosa ssp. varia, appeared a hundred feet from the trail here in 2003)
1.27	r	159		western ragweed	Ambrosia psilostachya	50 / 5	37
1.28	b	160		*jointed goatgrass	Aegilops cylindrica	50 / 9	4
1.29				End S. Los Santos Trail at Hidden Valley Spur Road; low point, elevation ~1920 feet (585 m); turn right on Hidden Valley Spur Road
1.29	l			(western sycamore, Platanus racemosa; big leaf mistletoe, Phoradendron macrophyllum)
1.30	r	161		elk thistle	Cirsium scariosum	2 / 2	11
1.31	l	162		*Bermuda grass	Cynodon dactylon	50 / 9	31
1.31	b	163		*sand spurrey	Spergularia bocconei	99 / 9	14
1.39				Begin steep short uphill.
1.42				Top of ascent; Jct. Hidden Valley Road; 200 inch telescope visible on Palomar Mountain; continue straight; elevation 1930 feet (590 m); sign facing that section of road: "Los Santos Trail (to right); To Adobes 1.5 mi (to left)"
1.46	l			(California poppy, Eschscholzia californica)
1.46	c	164		rattlesnake weed	Chamaesyce albomarginata	3 / 1	10
1.48	c	165		*knotweed	Polygonum arenastrum	50 / 9	20
1.49	r	166		*rose clover	Trifolium hirtum	10 / 1	13
1.49	c	167		*pineapple weed	Chamomilla suaveolens	20 / 3	19
1.49	c	168		*weak blue grass	Poa infirma	10 / 1	6
1.49				Cross small drainage
1.55	r			Beautiful field of blue-eyed grass, Sisyrinchium bellum; local high point, elevation ~1940 feet (590 m)
1.61	r	169	~	California meadow barley	Hordeum brachyantherum ssp. californicum	10 / 1	3
1.62	l	170		mule fat	Baccharis salicifolia	1 / 1	39
1.70	l			Check for different Juncus or Eleocharis
1.74	r			(Small field of California poppy, Eschscholzia californica)
1.75	b	171		creeping wild rye	Leymus triticoides	20 / 1	12
1.79	l			Good display of bush lupine, Lupinus excubitus var. hallii
1.83	r			(southern cattail, Typha domingensis; former cattle holding pen)
1.91	l	172		small-flowered fiddleneck	Amsinckia menziesii var. menziesii	10 / 2	8
1.91	r			(Windmill)
1.93	l			Jct. fenced-off old Hidden Valley Road; sign: "Hidden Valley Road (left); to Trailhead 1.3 mi (left)"
1.93	l	173		*horehound	Marrubium vulgare	5 / 1	32
1.95	r	174		*bull thistle	Cirsium vulgare	3 / 1	19
1.95	l	175	sp	goosefoot	Chenopodium sp.	1 / 1
1.97	r	176		Mexican rush	Juncus mexicanus	20 / 1	16
1.97				Beginning of bridge to dross drainage; elevation ~1875 feet (570 m)
1.97	l	177		*whorled dock	Rumex conglomeratus	3 / 1	11
1.97	b	178		common spikerush	Eleocharis macrostachya	20 / 1	12
1.97	b	179		*dallis grass	Paspalum dilatatum	2 / 1	9
1.97	b	180		Siskiyou aster	Aster lanceolatus ssp. hesperius	20 / 1	2
1.97	b	181		clustered field sedge	Carex praegracilis	50 / 1	4
2.03				Cross between two old supports for a gate
2.05				Saddle between Poppy Hill and S. Trans Preserve Trail ridge; elevation ~1910 feet (582 m); view of 200 inch Palomar Telescope ahead.
2.09				Jct. Trans Preserve Trail; elevation 1880 feet (573 m); see its plant guide if you are turning right on it; end this guide

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Plant Trail Guides For The Santa Rosa Plateau
Field Guide to the Santa Rosa Plateau: Plants

Copyright © 2002-2006 by Tom Chester.
Permission is freely granted to reproduce any or all of this page as long as credit is given to me at this source:
http://tchester.org/srp/plants/guides/s_los_santos.html
Comments and feedback: Tom Chester
Updated 4 March 2006.