Tumbleweed on Harding Truck Trail off Modjeska Canyon

Right across from Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary is the trailhead for Harding Truck Trail. It's a steep, hot trail with beautiful views that eventually leads to the highest peak in Orange County - Santiago Peak with an elevation of 5,687 feet. The 2007 Santiago fire burned portions of this trail and as we hiked along we could see remnants of burnt trees frozen Pompeii-ishly along the hillsides.

This pretty little weed lined the trail occasionally. I saw it in an empty field in Ladera a few years ago and remember it because of its cherry blossom like flower. It's called Russian thistle and you'll never guess what it turns into... tumbleweed!

Russian Thistle, aka Tumbleweed (salsola iberica)