Claytonia perfoliata ssp. perfoliata
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Anza Borrego Desert State Park and the Santa Rosa Ecological Plateau - 3/12/10
I took a day trip up to Anza Borrego Desert State Park on Friday, March 12. 2010. It was a nice, sunny day, which was perfect for a walk out amongst the wildflowers. I spent quite a deal of time at Coyote Canyon (located at the end of Di Giorgio Rd) and around the Henderson Canyon Road area. I was kind of disappointed in Coyote Canyon. It was not nearly as beautiful as it was a few years ago, so I didn't take any landscape photos. It seems like the wild mustard has taken over the area. I did find plenty of wildflowers, however, ready for their close-ups, including: Dune Primrose, Sand Verbena, Spectacle Pod, Desert Dandelion, Desert Chicory, Desert Lily and Common Phacelia (to name a few). Around the Henderson Canyon area I found most of the same wildflowers as I did in Coyote Canyon, including several Beavertail and Cholla Cacti, which had buds, but no blooms. The weather had been cold, so this has slowed down the bloom, and, per the park's website, the peak bloom should be in the next week or 2.
The park's visitor center is located in the town of Borrego Springs, CA (in San Diego County) on Palm Canyon Dr.
I also travelled to Murrieta to the Santa Rosa Ecological Plateua to the Vernal Pools part of the park. It seems like the bloom was just starting there. I did find some Ground Pink, Johnny Jump Ups, Shooting Stars, California Poppies, Miner's Lettuce, Wild Cucumber, Blue Dicks, and, of course, the Chocolate Lily (which can be found on the Trans Preserve Trail). Quite a few of these were in bloom. I plan on returning in a few weeks to check out the trails around the visitor center and back at the vernal pools again. They have some really nice trails around there, even if you are not a wildflower enthusiast ;)
The park's visitor center is located in the town of Murrieta, CA, in Riverside County. (39400 Clinton Keith Rd, Murrieta, CA,)
I posted some photos below.
Links to check out:
Anza Borrego Desert State Park
Anza Borrego - Wikipedia
Anza Borrego - Desert USA
Anza Borrego Wildflowers
Santa Rosa Plateau
Santa Rosa Plateau Wildflowers
Santa Rosa Plateu hiking
The park's visitor center is located in the town of Borrego Springs, CA (in San Diego County) on Palm Canyon Dr.
I also travelled to Murrieta to the Santa Rosa Ecological Plateua to the Vernal Pools part of the park. It seems like the bloom was just starting there. I did find some Ground Pink, Johnny Jump Ups, Shooting Stars, California Poppies, Miner's Lettuce, Wild Cucumber, Blue Dicks, and, of course, the Chocolate Lily (which can be found on the Trans Preserve Trail). Quite a few of these were in bloom. I plan on returning in a few weeks to check out the trails around the visitor center and back at the vernal pools again. They have some really nice trails around there, even if you are not a wildflower enthusiast ;)
The park's visitor center is located in the town of Murrieta, CA, in Riverside County. (39400 Clinton Keith Rd, Murrieta, CA,)
I posted some photos below.
Links to check out:
Anza Borrego Desert State Park
Anza Borrego - Wikipedia
Anza Borrego - Desert USA
Anza Borrego Wildflowers
Santa Rosa Plateau
Santa Rosa Plateau Wildflowers
Santa Rosa Plateu hiking
Santa Rosa Ecological Plateau - Chocolate Lily
Fritillaria biflora var. biflora
found on the Trans Preserve Trail
Santa Rosa Ecological Plateau - Johnny Jump Ups (5)
Viola pedunculata
found on the Trans Preserve Trail
Monday, March 08, 2010
Road Trip - 3/7/10
I took a drive on Sunday, 3/7/10, that started from Hwy 58 going up to Santa Margarita. There were plenty of wildflowers blooming (including a nice patch of Tidy Tips right by the onramp to the I-5) along the way, including Tidy Tips, Goldfields and some Red Stemmed Filaree, which was turning the hillsides a lovely shade of lavender in some spots. I also spotted some Phacelia near McKittrick, but I guess it is too early for the Phacelia yet. I didn't check out Carrizo Plain this time. I heard it was still pretty green there yet. I also spotted some nice patches of Shooting Stars and Popcorn Flower along the 58. Shell Creek Road wasn't very showy yet, but there are a few Baby Blue Eyes, Tidy Tips and a few California Poppies hanging around. Gonna make a return trip there maybe in a week or two.
My next stop was the Los Osos State Natural Reserve in (you guessed it, Los Osos). It is a nice little park with a few hiking trails amongst the old oak trees. (watch out for the poison oak...it is abundant, but if you stick to the trails, it won't bug you). The trails branch off here and there, and it is easy to get turned around, but since the park is right next to the road, you can find your way back pretty easily. It was muddy in a few spots, but not overall, it was in pretty good shape. Not many wildflowers here. I spotted a few Pitcher Sage, Miner's Lettuce and Sun Cups though.
Next was Figueroa Mountain. It was pretty breezy and kind of cold and overcast that day, so I didn't get many photos (plus I REALLY had to use the bathroom.....no bathrooms there until you hit the campground - lol). I did spot Johnny Jump Ups, Pitcher Sage, Goldfields, Shooting Stars, Chocolate Lilies, Blue Dicks, to name a few. No huge blooms yet though.
I continued up the coast on the 101 and then out to Hwy 1 all the way up to Torrance, then I headed back home. This weekend, I plan on heading to Anza Borrego Desert State Park, Santa Rosa Ecological Plateau, Malibu Creek, Solstice Canyon and maybe even the Pinnacles National Monument (and hopefully maybe up Carmel Valley Road...such a nice drive!!).
Until then, happy trails!!
Links to check out:
Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve
Los Osos Oaks
US Forest Service - Figueroa Mountain
GORP - Figueroa Mountain
California Wildflower Hotline
Carol Leigh's California Wildflower Hotsheet
My next stop was the Los Osos State Natural Reserve in (you guessed it, Los Osos). It is a nice little park with a few hiking trails amongst the old oak trees. (watch out for the poison oak...it is abundant, but if you stick to the trails, it won't bug you). The trails branch off here and there, and it is easy to get turned around, but since the park is right next to the road, you can find your way back pretty easily. It was muddy in a few spots, but not overall, it was in pretty good shape. Not many wildflowers here. I spotted a few Pitcher Sage, Miner's Lettuce and Sun Cups though.
Next was Figueroa Mountain. It was pretty breezy and kind of cold and overcast that day, so I didn't get many photos (plus I REALLY had to use the bathroom.....no bathrooms there until you hit the campground - lol). I did spot Johnny Jump Ups, Pitcher Sage, Goldfields, Shooting Stars, Chocolate Lilies, Blue Dicks, to name a few. No huge blooms yet though.
I continued up the coast on the 101 and then out to Hwy 1 all the way up to Torrance, then I headed back home. This weekend, I plan on heading to Anza Borrego Desert State Park, Santa Rosa Ecological Plateau, Malibu Creek, Solstice Canyon and maybe even the Pinnacles National Monument (and hopefully maybe up Carmel Valley Road...such a nice drive!!).
Until then, happy trails!!
Links to check out:
Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve
Los Osos Oaks
US Forest Service - Figueroa Mountain
GORP - Figueroa Mountain
California Wildflower Hotline
Carol Leigh's California Wildflower Hotsheet
Shell Creek Rd - Poppy
Eschscholzia californica
There were a few poppies out on Shell Creek Road. It is still a tad early for peak bloom yet.
Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve
Love these old looking oak trees. They look like something out of a scary movie.
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