Sunday, August 2, Grass Lake

Sunday, August 2, 2026 Grass Lake

There will be a Sacramento Valley Chapter CNPS field trip to Grass Lake (north of Luther Pass on Highway 89, near the California/Nevada border, and south of Lake Tahoe) on Sunday, August 2, 2026. Trip leaders will be Carol Witham and Greg Kareofelas. We may be joined by members of the Bryophyte Chapter and CalFlora.

Grass Lake is a unique floating sphagnum bog, one of only two in California. The area is also home to several rare plants and insects. We will “trampoline” (actually “tremble and sway”) on the floating bog and explore the unique plants and animals surrounding this lake. Carol knows the dominant plant species and will have a plant list. Greg has expertise on the butterflies, dragonflies, and damselflies of the area. Who knows what else we might learn from other field trip participants.

We will meet at 10:00 AM at a pull off along the south side of Highway 89 just west of Luther Pass.

Google Maps and Google Streetview

From Highway 88, go north on Highway 89 for ~4 miles.

From Highway 50, go south on Highway 89 for ~7 miles.

The “pull off” parking area consists of a gravel area between a paved pull off passing lane and a series of wooden 6×6″ posts on the south side of the road. It is the only pull off with wooden posts.

Bring layered clothing for all kinds of weather. Wear shoes you won’t mind getting wet (walking out onto the bog will mean water higher than your normal hiking boot). Also bring water, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, snacks, lunch, etc.  Don’t forget dry shoes for the ride home.

We will probably end around 2:00-3:00 pm depending on what we find and the interests of the group. You can always depart according to your own schedule; we probably won’t travel more than ½ mile from the parking area.

There are no restrooms at Grass Lake. The nearest restrooms are at the Highway 88/89 junction (~4 miles toward Hope Valley) and at the Big Meadow Tahoe Rim Trailhead (~5 miles toward Meyers). I suggest you make a stop before arriving at Grass Lake.

If you are coming, please RSVP Carol Witham, and if you have any questions or last-minute issues you can call her cell at 916-761-7886 (but reception is iffy at Luther Pass).

Each participant will need to sign a standard CNPS Liability Waiver upon arrival.

Please RSVP to Carol W. Witham

Sorry, no dogs allowed because of the bog.