I am not exactly sure, but from what I can find, my best guess would be this is Eriogonum inflatum.  At this stage of growth the leaves match the closest compared to any other plant I have looked at.  I would be interested to see what it looks like as it continues to mature.

The flower buds have not progressed much. I've attached a close-up photo I took of the four buds last evening (04/21/19)

Bad news -- a few days ago some critter came along and ate the crown of the plant!  The older leaves are all that's left though there's a possibility some new leaves are growing back already.  I'm watching it to see if it recovers.  I believe this to be a deep rooted plant that probably can stand being munched on.

It must taste good to somebody!  Hopefully it recovers and sends up a stalk or flower.

I don't know for sure but am thinking these plants are the same as my "mystery" plant.  I haven't hiked out to the specific plant to see what it looks like, though I might do that later if it stops raining.  Gotta love the rain!

The latest photo's with a flower will be tufted evening primrose (Oenothera caespitosa)  I'm not certain that that is the same plant as the first pictures.  The leaves of this plant on all the pictures I can find a varied enough that it is hard to say for certain.

Thank you.  I'm keeping an eye on the original plant, but it's taking quite a beating from being walked on plus munched on, no doubt because it's exposed out in the middle of an open spot with no other plants nearby.  I'm tempted to put a cage over it so it will have a chance to develop.

I agree that the original plant's leaves seem different than the other photos of plants I posted, however it seemed to me that the original's regrowth leaves (prior to the most recent munching) were coming in different than they had started out.  I will take more photos in a day or two and maybe bring rocks or something to protect it a little.