This is the time of the year that the great outdoors presents a magnificent array of wild flowers to dazzle the eye. One can experience this awesome spectacle by driving along any of the country roads in or around Mariposa.  One road provides the viewer with a unique glimpses of a rather rare flower, the White Mountain Lupine.  Mountain Lupine comes in many colors and the purple version is the most common and off of Triangle Road in Lushmeadows it sometimes is almost overwhelming with its wonderful musky fragrance that floats  over the ground.

The White Lupine can be seen in splotches along Yaqui Gulch Road.  It is a delicate flower and some will say it is really a very pale yellow.  Whatever you wish to call it, it still remains a beautiful sight nodding slowly within a gentle soft warm spring breeze,

While seeking a country road to see these kinds of wild flowers a slow drive along Aqua Fria Road offers an extra reward. In 1850 Aqua Fria was a small mining community along Aqua Fria Creek when the California legislative proclaimed it to be the county seat of Mariposa County which in 1850 comprised nearly 20% of all of California and was, of course, the states largest county.  A mile or so off of 140 will bring you to the edge of the township site and the luxurious grasses there contain large groups of yellow mustard flowers and a number of flowers that look like Black Eyed Susan’s, but although they are not, they are definitely just as pretty as Black Eyed Susan’s. There is too, an occasional sprinkling of tiny white blossoms that dance just above the grasses along Aqua Fria creek that widens in places into delicious looking pools of cold mountain water. This trip is always a real treat all year around.

Try it. You’ll like it!