Cogswell 1950 "Journal" 12a Onion Creek canyon, 6050-6100 ft., in SW corner Sec. 1, R 14 E, T. 16 N., Placer Co., Calif. -- along & just , E of American River Canyon Road (q.v.). VEG. TYPES: conifer forest (Abies concolor, Pinus j#effreyi and/or ponderosa, Libocedrus decurrens ) with open, forb-covered or bare areas (cleared ?) in canyon floor; riparian woodland (barely developed) along stream (Populus trichocarpa, P. tremuloides) and thickets between the scattered trees there & a- bout a seep on bench S of creek (Alnus tenuifolia, Salix sp.). Shrub areas in openings of forest up- slope to S were just skirted. VISITS: Aug. 20 ("enroute" to Placer Co. Big Trees, /A see below); Aug. 22. Placer Co. Big Trees, on N-facing slope & draw between it & opposite one of headwaters of Mosquito Creek, a tributary of Middle Fork of American River, in Sec. 18, R 13 E, T 14 N. ---- this trip to the northern- most grove of Sequoia gigantea took nearly all day from S.B. Lodge & Soda Springs, via the American River Canyon road from the latter -- a bumpy dirt road, some spots on steeper switchbacks so bumpy the chassis of our Chev. suburban bounced a lot. Until the logging areas S of Robertson Flat were entered & road became many inches deep in dust, it was a beatiful trip; but since we took no detailed note of just where vari- ous vegetation was I cannot outline it here. The Sequoias are at about 5200 ft. elevation, in a moist (still) glen on the N side of a round-topped, forested promontory which justs southward toward the Amer. River. We saw 6 or 7 trees (see photos ). The rest of the forest is more or less typical Transition zone conifers, but with much more abundant shrub understory than is found near Bear Valley. Azaleas, Chinquapin, & bush-sized Tanbark Oak were distinctly new items. While we were wandering around after lunching in the shade of 3 of the Big Trees, an old dead fir bole some 100+ ft. tall crashed suddenly to the ground be- tween two parts of our group, which had scattered out to take pictures & for other purposes. No one had a narrow escape, however; and we all marvelled that such an event would take place on a very quiet, almost wind- less day just when we were there. See Map for few locations of birds seen or views enroute. VISIT: Aug. 20. Pierce Meadow, S. of -- see W/ Signal Peak, W. base of