My intent for this field excursion was to retrace the route we had followed previously up the steep, rocky gully from mile marker 67.7 on the Angeles Crest Highway, then to botanize along the PCT first eastward to near Mt. Hawkins and then westward to Windy Gap, which is 0.3 miles from Little Jimmy Campground, and finally to descend via a little-travelled use trail down to the highway and thence back to the parking area. After ascending beyond the springy area, the forest becomes much drier and shows the lingering effects of the 2002 Curve Fire, and yet there are masses of many species in glorious bloom along this trail. What I chiefly like about this walking route is the fantastic views both to the south and northwards out over the desert. It was a beautiful day in the middle high country with a temperature in the low 70's and a lovely cooling breeze. I only saw two other hikers all day. An asterisk indicates a non-native taxon.

Davidson's buckwheat
Eriogonum davidsonii
Polygonaceae
[Named for Anstruther Davidson, 1860-1932]

Great red paintbrush
Castilleja miniata ssp. miniata
Orobanchaceae
[Named for Domingo Castillejo Muñoz, 1744?-1793]

Whitebark raspberry
Rubus leucodermis
Rosaceae

Mexican elderberry
Sambucus nigra ssp. caerulea
Adoxaceae

Brittle fern
Cystopteris fragilis
Woodsiaceae

Mountain pink currant
Ribes nevadense
Grossulariaceae