Friday, April 7, 2006

The flowers are finally out at the Antelope Valley Poppy Preserve. Try the South and North Poppy Loop trails for some nice patches of our state flower (Eschscholzia californica), along with goldfields (Lasthenia californica), lupine (Lupinus bicolor), cream cups (Platystemon californicus), fiddleneck (Amsineckia tessellata) and forget-me-not (Cryptantha circumscissa). Expect the peak bloom period here to occur sometime around the middle of the month, but try to plan your trip to coincide with good weather – the poppies stay shut in the rain!

Another place to try in the area is the northwest part of the Antelope Valley. There are some nice carpets of goldfields, California coreopsis (Coreopsis californica), desert dandelion (Malacothrix glabrata), pygmy lupine and some patches of golden poppy for those willing to look. The best fields right now are off of Gaskell Road. Take 170^th Street West north from Highway 138, then turn west on the first street past “A” street. This unsigned dirt track turns into Gaskell Road; proceed west to the flowers.

Prisk Native Garden, located at San Vicente and Los Arcos in Long Beach, is holding their annual Open House this Saturday from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. This garden, dedicated to the native plants of California, has dozens of species in bloom. Among them are tansy phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia), Mojave bluebells, farewell to spring (Clarkia unguiculata), tidy tips (Layia platyglossa), owl’s clover (Castilleja exserta), desert mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua), bird’s eye gilia (Gilia bicolor) and desert penstemon (Penstemon pseudospectabilis). To reach the garden, exit the 405 Freeway south at Palo Verde and make a hard right turn onto Los Arcos. Drive three blocks to the garden on the right.

The Eaton Canyon Nature Center in Pasadena is well worth the trip right now. You’ll find encelia, phacelia, black sage (Salvia mellifera), fuschia-flowered gooseberry (Ribes speciosum), canyon sunflower (Venegacia capesioides), sticky monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus) and coral bells among the many flowers in bloom. The nature center is located at the base of Mount Wilson, north of the 210 Freeway on Altadena Drive.

In the Santa Monica Mountains a nice hike is the Sandstone Peak Trail at the Circle X Ranch. Don’t be disappointed by the lack of flowers at the start of the trail – you need to walk a bit to find the nice displays. You’ll see hairy ceanothus (Ceanothus oliganthus), prickly phlox (Leptodactylon califfornicum), black sage, golden yarrow (Eriophyllum confertiflorum) and hoary-leaf ceanothus (Ceanothus crassifolius) among the many species in bloom.

At Topanga State Park try the Dead Horse Trail for some nice variety. Along the trail are green-bark ceanothus (Ceanothus spinosus), canyon sunflower, hummingbird sage (Salvia spathacea), manzanita (Arctostaphylos ssp.), buttercup (Ranunculus californica), blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium bellum), sticky monkeyflower and wild morning glory (Calystegia macrostegia).

The flowers have really progressed nicely at Carrizo Plain National Monument west of Bakersfield. As you take Highway 58 into the monument you will see lots of goldfields and California coreopsis in bloom. Try Simmler Road on the east side of Soda Lake for more coreopsis, along with fiddleneck and tidy tips. Many of the flowers are still in the bud stage, so the next few weeks should be spectacular.

Further east, the popular Shell Creek area is now beginning to bloom, with lots of goldfields, baby blue-eyes (Nemophila menziesii) and tidy tips. To reach the area, proceed west on Highway 58 from Carrizo Plain and turn north on Shell Creek Road.

The wildflower season is progressing nicely on Figueroa Mountain north of the city of Santa Barbara. As you start your drive up Figueroa Mountain Road you will see shiny yellow buttercups (Ranunculus californicus) along with purple fiesta flowers (Pholistoma auritum), Johnny jump-ups (Viola pedunculata), hummingbird sage (Salvia spathacea), blue dicks (Dichelostemma pulchellum), popcorn flowers (Plagiobothrys nothofulvus), lomatium (Lomatium californicum), miners lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata) and fiddlenecks (Amsineckia tessellata). Along the second bend, flaming red Indian paintbrush is blooming along the serpentine rocks. A bit further to the right, a small field of shooting stars, lomatium and popcorn flowers are in bloom. In the beautiful canopy area, just past this field on the left, one will see the sky lupine (Lupinus nanus) blooming. It is certainly much smaller than last year, perhaps due to the lack of early rain. In this area, fiesta flowers, buttercups, fiddlenecks, popcorn flowers and hummingbird sage are all in bloom.

Proceed up the hill, the beautiful orange California poppies are blooming along the road, as well as on the rocky hillsides. Blue-eyed grass is also in bloom up the second bend on the left. Ceanothus is still in bloom in this area, as well as throughout the mountain. Buttercups, goldfields, California poppies, blue dicks and lupine continue to bloom. Keep your eyes opened, a Catalina mariposa lily (Calochortus catalinae) was spotted this week in one of the grassy fields. Usually when one comes out, others follow shortly after.

Just past Vista Point you’ll see California poppies, coreopsis (Coreopsis californica), blue dicks, popcorn flowers, lomatium and buttercups. Just past the station, on the right shooting stars are present. In the rocky serpentine field, just before Tunnell Ranch road, a few wallflowers are in bloom.

While heading towards Davy Brown and Nira, popcorn flowers, California poppies, fiddlenecks, a few lupine and bush poppies are in bloom. A couple of gooseberry (Ribes malvifolium) bushes are in bloom as well. Keep your eyes opened for these beauties along shady slopes. Their fuchsia-like red flowers are absolutely stunning. Along the road, on the left hand side, about one mile from Cachuma Saddle, baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii) are in bloom. About a half a mile before Davy Brown, a pink prickly phlox bush (Leptodactylon californicum) is in bloom on the gravely hillside on the right. One can see another display of baby blue eyes along the left rocky hillside as well as some more prickly phlox, in the winding area before the creek crossing at the Lower Manzana Trailhead.

Due to the unusual weather, it is hard to know what to expect from this wildflower season, however, we will keep you informed as more wildflowers bloom. For more information about wildflowers on the Santa Lucia Ranger District, please call Helen Tarbet at 805-925-9538, ext. 246, or send her an e-mail at htarbet@fs.fed.us.

To the north, try the Kern River Preserve for some nice variety of blooming wildflowers. Over twenty species are in flower, including fiddleneck, Bigelow’s coreopsis (Coreopsis bigelovii), owl’s clover, pygmy lupine, goldfields and golden poppy. The preserve is off of Highway 178 east of Lake Isabella

A drive along Highway 178 through the Kern River Canyon is particularly rewarding right now, with some areas literally packed with flowers. Among the dozens of species in bloom are chia (Salvia columbariae), caterpillar phacelia (Phacelia cicutaria), tansy phacelia, fiesta flower (Pholistoma auritum), Coulter’s jewelflower (Caulanthus cooperia var lemmonii), sitcky monkeyflower, blue dicks and pygmy lupine.

In the Kern River Valley, try Keyesville Road for some nice displays of goldfields. Off of Sierra Way near the South Fork Wildlife area are some outstanding examples of Bigelow’s coreopsis in bloom. Also found here are lacy phacelia, thistle sage and chia. Try Highway 178 between South Lake and Mountain Mesa for some more goldfields.

In San Diego County, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park is about three weeks behind schedule due to snow. Along Highway 8 from the town of Alpine to Old Highway 80 the bush poppies are in bloom. In the park’s lower elevations manzanita and Gregg’s ceanothus (Ceanothus greggii) are in flower. Expect an explosion of color in a few weeks, as many annuals and perennials are greened-up and in bud.

The bloom is past peak at lower elevations of Death Valley National Park, but higher elevations still continue to boast of some nice color. Try Highway 190 near the east entrance for Mojave star, gravel ghost (Atrichoseris platyphylla), golden evening primrose (Camissonia brevipes) and Bigelow’s monkeyflower (Mimulus bigelovii). Near Jubilee Pass there is still a lot of desert gold (Eschscholzia glyptosperma) on the alluvial fans, along with notch-leaf phacelia (Phacelia crenulata), Arizona lupine (Lupinus arizonicus) and gravel ghost.

Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia) are in bloom at both the west entrance and the north entrance to Joshua Tree National Park. The south entrance near Cottonwood features bright red chuperosa (Justicia californica) in flower, and you’ll find Bigelow’s monkeyflower and canterbury bells (Phacelia campanularia) in bloom near Cottonwood Spring. In Pinto Basin the outstanding bladderpod (Isomeris arborea) bloom continues, along with ocotillo (Fouquieria spendens). Further south, off of Dillon Road near Coachella are some nice examples of purple sand verbena.

Northern California

The flowers have really come out in good form at Pinnacles National Monument. Try the Juniper Canyon Trail or the Balconies Cliffs Trail for some outstanding wildflower viewing. Among the dozens of species in bloom are Fremont’s star lily (Zigadenas fremontii), Johnny jump-ups (Viola pedunculata), purple nightshade (Solanum umbellifoerum), woolly Indian paintbrush (castilleja foliolosa), buck brush (Ceanothus cuneatus), red maids (Calandrinia ciliate), California buttercup (Ranunculus californicus), sticky monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus), blue dicks (Dichelostemma capitatum) and shooting stars (Dodecatheon clevelandii ssp. patulum).

Between the city of Salinas and Monterey, 4700 acre Toro Park is best known for its picnic areas, softball fields and playgrounds, but it also boasts some outstanding wildlands. Along the park’s trails you should see shooting stars, suncups (camissonia ovata), sanicle and Johnny jump-ups (Viola pedunculata) in bloom. Toro Park is six miles south of Salinas off of Highway 68.

In the Sierra Foothills, try Highway 4 west of Copperopolis. Along the roadway are butter and eggs, popcorn flower, fiddleneck, goldfields, blue dicks and lots of tidy tips. Higher elevations in the Sierras are still several weeks away from peak bloom period.

On Table Mountain near Oroville the display isn’t quite as spectacular as last year, but still worth the trip. There are lots of goldfields in bloom, along with bird’s eye gilia, Johnny jump-ups, golden poppies, purple owl’s clover, pygmy lupine and sticky monkeyflower.

In the Bay Area, try Henry Coe State Park for a wide variety of native plants in bloom. Among the many species in flower are Johnny jump-ups, blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium bellum), golden poppy, milk maids (Cardamine californica), shooting stars, woodland shooting stars (Dodecatheon hendersonii), pygmy lupine (Lupinus bicolor), giraffe head (Lamium amplexicaule), and purple sanicle (Sanicula bipinnatifida).

Wildflower Walks and Events

Prisk Native Garden

Saturday, April 8 – Open House, 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. A rare chance to view this garden dedicated to the wild plants of California. Call (562) 439-6002 for more information.

Los Padres National Forrest:

Figueroa Mountain Wildflowers – April 8 at 9:00 A.M.

Pozo Wildflowers – May 13 at 9:30 A.M.

Call (805) 925-9538, ext. 246 for more information, or Email htarbet@fs.fed.us

Kern River/Southern Sierra:

Bioregions Festival – April 29 and April 30 – Tour the eastern Kern River Valley and the Eastern Sierra on Saturday the 29^th, and visit the Southern High Sierra on Sunday the 30^th. From 7:00 A.M. until dark. Cost is $45.00 for one day, $75.00 for both days. Email natureali@ixpres.com for information.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area:

Leo Carillo State Park – Adventure With a Ranger – Every Sunday at 9:00 A.M.

Pt. Mugu State Park – Adventure With a Ranger – Every Saturday at 9:00 A.M.

Coachella Valley:

The Living Desert sponsors wildflower walks to hotspots in the Coachella Valley each Wednesday through April 12. The cost is $35.00, and reservations are required. Call 760-346-5694, Ext. 2502 for details.

Placerita Canyon Nature Center:

Wildflower Walks – Saturday, April 9 and Saturday, May 14 – 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.

Eaton Canyon Nature Center:

Field Trips In Nature – a two hour class for children 5 and up. Cost is $5.00 per child. Call 626-398-5420 for information.

El Dorado Nature Center:

Discovery Tours – two-hour guided tour. Cost is $4.00 per person. Call 562-570-1745 for reservations.