I was concerned more about ice up on skyline than that early autumn threat of wet roads in the Bay Area. Because, indeed, traction was fine as long as there wasn't too deep a pool of water on the road.

And, OH! Pedicularis groenlandica -- way more elephant-like than the https://flashbak.com/how-medieval-artists-saw-elephants-claws-hooves-trunks-like-trumpets-and-castles-on-their-backs-426529/ that altamira16 linked to! Also, lovely purple.