Patterson Pass (Part 2) in Bloom – May 2023

Patterson Pass in Bloom

Sunday May 21, 2023

Patterson Pass is turning out to be a great place for us. We had seen the highway sign for it on other trips north/south on the highway 93 corridor through Nevada, but didn’t check it out because it looked to be too far off the highway and possibly too steep for towing Cougar with our old Suburban. However, the grade is milder than it looks, it’s quiet, very few people here, exceptionally scenic, and the wildflowers are amazing.

Cougar at Patterson Pass Campground
Scenic Views – Snake Range Across the Valley
Larkspur Adds to the Palette of Colors
Indian Paintbrush Brighten My Day
Penstemon
Aster’s Yellow Cousin

The sky is less hazy today and it is very pleasant sitting out with coffee and my stack. I am happy and grateful to be alive! As always, wherever we are, Clifford works on his ham radio and antennas to get the best reception he can. it is always fun to put out the sign our friend LeeAnn made for him.

Clifford is Radio Point

Monday May 22 – We sure do like this place. I’m glad I didn’t talk Clifford out of coming – not that I can talk him into or out of anything, but he had concerns about not having enough propane. We are being as conservative as we can with the propane. It’s so peaceful and scenic here, really a perfect spot for us right now.

There is a heavy rain in the afternoon, great for the trees and flowers.

Looking Out at the Rain

Wednesday May 24 – It is mostly cloudy again this morning, but very pretty. I take photos of paintbrush with snow-capped mountain in the distance. As the clouds build, it looks to be an indoor day, but out my window I have a view of the sky, mountains to the east, juniper, and paintbrush, so I’m happy.

Paintbrush with the Schell Creek Range in the Background
Clouds Building

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Today I talk to the neighbor Kristine as she is out walking her dog. She is very friendly and it is nice to chat with a woman. She is solo RVing and has had quite the interesting life this past year. She is very adventuresome and I admire her courage!

(kristinedidit on Instagram)

In the early evening, across the valley we see a storm cell of over the Snake Range. Very interesting to see such a localized formation.

Storm Cell Over the Snake Range

Saturday, May 27. So lovely this morning as I sit in the shade of one of the junipers with coffee and journals. I love my front yard with the junipers and so many wildflowers. The wildflowers are totally delightful, but as clouds and breeze increase, it becomes too windy for good photos. However, life is good and I am grateful to be here now.

Sitting in the Shade of Junipers

Clifford is taking advantage of the pleasant weather to work on his bicycle. He enjoys pushing the limits and going where many bikes don’t go.

Clifford Customizes His Bicycle

Sunday, May 28. This morning we get up very late, but the extra sleep is needed after staying up late working on projects. Every day I see different wildflowers on my way to and from the restroom and as I walk about the campground. Globe mallow are beginning to bloom. I love the wildflowers here, the views, our site with Junipers hugging us, but especially the wildflowers.

Globe Mallow are Beginning to Bloom
Globe Mallow in Bloom

Tuesday, May 30. I went to bed a little earlier last night, so was up before 7:00 and went for an early walkabout. Our friend Lori has come to this campground and is camped nearby. She and I chat as we walk down the road where the globe mallow are more fully blossomed.

Flower Seeker – Photo by Lori

Wednesday, May 31.

I get up early as we are leaving Patterson past today.  Lori left before we got up, as she has a long drive to her next destination. It was fun to see a friend, and I hope her travels go well. I didn’t do any packing last night, but will get started as soon as Clifford gets up. This has been one of my favorite campgrounds ever, largely because of the flowers. I’ve taken hundreds of photos, but nothing captures the essence of just being here with them in person. I am grateful that we have had this opportunity and look forward to coming to this campground again some day.

Good-bye to Patterson Pass for Now

Super-Bloom at Patterson Pass Campground – May 2023

Super-bloom at Patterson Pass, Nevada – May 2023

Thursday May 18, 2023

For the past week Clifford and I have been at the Pioche City RV Park on the outskirts of this small mining town. Today we are leaving Pioche and heading to Patterson Pass Campground between here and Ely off US highway 93, which runs north/south through eastern Nevada.

It looks like a beautiful day to travel.

A Good Day to Travel

We have never been there, but the review sounds good and it is probably not so steep a road as it looks on the map.

Patterson Pass – Photo by Clifford

We arrive at Patterson Pass Campground in the afternoon and are pleased at the easy access and choice of sites. We walk through the campground and pick site #10 as there are enough junipers for shade and a windbreak.

Cougar into Place

As soon as we are set up, I go on a walkabout to explore and take photos of the scenic landscape, our campsite, and all the wildflowers. Across the valley, I think we are seeing the Snake Range and perhaps Wheeler Peak and Granite Peak in the Great Basin National Park. 

Snake Range
Wildflowers at Patterson Pass

Friday May 19, 2023

It is a fortunate time to be here. I talked to a ranger yesterday and he said that just a couple of weeks ago this campground was still under 2 feet of snow. The ground is moist and I can see recent elk tracks, and obviously the wildflowers are loving it now. The Castilleja – Indian Paintbrush – are plentiful and so vivid, a delight to see. Wildflowers abound in white, purple, and yellow.

Indian Paintbrush are Plentiful
Penstemon
Porter’s Aster and a Yellow Cousin

Cumulus clouds bring a little rain and a rainbow in the afternoon. There are some very interesting clouds near sunset and the subdued light is better for photos without sun glare. Cell service is marginal but I am really glad to have it all being this far from the highway and not near any towns.

Afternoon Rainbow
Unusual Cloud Formation

Saturday May 20, 2023

More clouds this morning, hazy to the east and the sky is pale. Maybe wildfire smoke from the fires in Alberta? I spend the morning meandering about taking photos of wildflowers – so many, so beautiful!

Maybe Related to Asters?
Indian Paintbrush in Abundance

After the delightful walkabout, I sit out under the junipers with coffee and my “stack” – journal, planner, inspirational reading. I hope that the cell service is good enough to do an online Tai Chi class, but it turns out to be too sketchy to do the class. Ah well, I can make up my own routine. 

Sitting Out with Coffee and the “Stack”

We are grateful that we were adventuresome enough to give Patterson Pass a try and that we get to stay a while longer. Every day brings different weather and more flowers.

View from Patterson Pass Campground