Outdoor Adventure USA

Wildflower Destinations

With all of the rain we've seen this year, there should be a great wildflower season. There are already locations where blooms are happening, and if we get some cooperative spring weather, it should be a great wildflower show. There are several well known places, and they will be the subject of our discussion, but there are many out-of-the-way locations that need to be discussed as well. Let us know what you have found.

Destinations: Spring Wildflowers (Super Bloom????)

Wildflower blooms are the creation of a mix of environmental conditions including rain, when the rain occurs, how much occurs, temperatures, previous years conditions, sunlight, and more. And, for it to become a "Super Bloom" , the quantity of each ingredient must be just right. “Super Blooms” is not a precisely defined term, but it usually means a season in which there are unusually high numbers of wildflowers.

While wildflowers are most often associated with desert regions, it would be unfair however, not to point out that they also occur in the mountains and plains. The generous helping of rain that the the southwestern US has received this winter is a key ingredient for wildflowers, and it has prompted quite a number of predictions of a "Super Bloom." Since the season is just getting under way, we may have to wait for the "Super" part of the bloom to appear before we are able to agree. In the meantime however, for those whose idea of an adventure is remote location travel, it's time to fire up the 4WD and find finding blooms in your favorite desert or mountain spot. For the rest, there are a huge number of locations that are easily accessible to all vehicles that will offer a great view of this wildflower season.

The popularity of wildflower seasons has increased significantly in the last decade or so, with many parks and locations featuring hotlines and recommendations on the areas best to visit. While desert wildflower blooms seem to be the most popular, they are, by no means, the only pace to visit. And, it merits emphasis, that wildflower blooms are not confined to places identified by the various park or adventure websites. We have found that some of the best locations are those we discover by exploration, or in back country locations we have visited.

Let there be no mistake about this Spring event, it will be a photographers paradise. TRANSLATION: If you have some shots of past visits, or from this year, let us see them!!!

General Wildflower Locations

The terms "desert" and "wildflower" are often found together, but that is by no means the only climates or zones where they are to be found. Mountains and Plains are also places where wildflower blooms are to be found.

The deserts however, offer more opportunities to enjoy this spring event, and are, by far, the most popular.. For the American South West, there are vast areas that are considered deserts, included in the states of Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, and California. In particular, one of the largest deserts in the USA is the Mojave, covering some 54,000 square miles, the Sonoran, covering some 100,000 square miles, and the Great Basin, covering some 190,000 square miles.

In the images below, you can see the general boundaries of the Mojave, the Sonoran, and the Great Basin Deserts, and it is easy to see that there are many areas where wildflowers can be found. This is clearly not a "California" only phenomenon, as these deserts cover vast areas of the USA, including parts of Utah, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Idaho, Utah, and yes, California.

The popularity of Wildflower viewing has increased so much in recent times, that hotlines, park information, and internet adventure sites are great sources of information that you can consult to see where the best areas are to be found, near where you live.

Wild Flower Predictions for 2023

Mostly due to the above average rainfall this winter, there is no shortage of wildflower "Super Bloom" predictions. Here is what they are saying:

• 1. MK Library - March 2024 (https://www.mklibrary.com/california-super-bloom/)
  

  2024 Wildflower Outlook
  The 2024 California Super Bloom wildflower season is fast approaching, and if there is anything I’ve learned over the past few years, it’s that there is no better time than the present to stop and smell the flowers. The extremely rainy California winter may mean that we will finally be treated to another rare super bloom somewhere in the state this year.

• 2. Desert USA - 2024 (https://www.desertusa.com/dusablog/dese ... rs-season/)
  

  Desert Wildflowers 2024
  DesertUSA anticipates a robust wildflower season in some desert regions this year. The influence of Hurricane Hilary in August 2023, which brought substantial rain and flooding to Southern California desert regions, has set the stage for potential floral abundance. As we transition into 2024, we eagerly await further developments in the weather.

• 3. San Diego Explorer - February 7, 2024 (https://sandiegoexplorer.com/california ... uperbloom/)
  

  With all the rain we’ve had in the last weeks, 2024 looks promising for a higher-than-average bloom, maybe even a superbloom. We’ll have to keep watching how the rain continues in Southern California this spring. In any case, it is still worth driving out there and soaking it all in and enjoying nature.

• 4. CA State Parks - (https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30077)
  

  2024 Spring Flower Bloom
  This spring, California’s desert state parks could potentially be adorned with a sea of rainbow colors as the wildflower season is expected to be an impressive one, and California State Parks is asking all visitors to enjoy them responsibly. Depending on the park, visitors may see colorful lupine, coreopsis, desert sunflowers, evening or brown-eyed primroses, desert bells, desert poppies or desert lilies. Below you will find resources such as safety tips, and updates to state parks

The popularity of wildflower exploration has given rise to several "wildflower hotlines", some of which are excellent sources of current information, so I'll only mention two:

• Anza Borrego Desert Foundation Wildflower Hotline, https://theabf.org/experience-anza-borrego/wildflowers/

• The Theodore Payne Wildflower Hotline, https://theodorepayne.org/learn/wildflower-hotline/

I am most familiar with the Anza Borrego Desert State Park, having spent considerable time exploring the area, both in search of wildflowers as well as 4WD exploration. Their hotline not only gives a current view of wildflowers but also offers interactive maps and an individual day report on active areas. In the park, many of the roads that offer access to these areas are trails that will require 4 WD. One such very popular area is Coyote Canyon, and I have seen way too many stuck cars that required help returning to "more friendly" roads. Be careful when the pavement ends and the dirt begins.

Wildflowers - Where You Find Them

Some of the most rewarding wildflower finds are those that you come upon by exploring. Often this means on a hike, on four wheel drive excursions, driving to your favorite remote campsite, or along dirt roads that traverse your favorite desert or mountain areas. These are just some examples of my finds in my favorite desert.

Death Valley

I received this memo 5 days ago. I deleted the text on the reopening of North Road.

Death Valley National Park
News Release
Release Date: February 10, 2023
Contact: Abby Wines, 760-786-3221, abby_wines@nps.gov

Park reopens more flood-damage areas;
Encourages visits, in spite of no ‘superbloom’


Park is beautiful without a ‘superbloom’

‘Superbloom’ is an unofficial term used to describe unusually spectacular spring blooms. In Death Valley National Park, this event happens about once a decade.

“Death Valley is beautiful – with or without a carpet of flowers,” said Superintendent Mike Reynolds. “This spring we are predicting an average flower bloom.”

While the park is not forecasting a superbloom, there should be flowers in low elevations from late February through early April. Higher elevations will bloom through June.

The park received record rainfall during last summer’s monsoon season. August 5 was the rainiest day ever recorded at the Furnace Creek weather station: 1.70 inches. For context, the park averages 2.20 inches -- over a full year.

However, timing is everything. “Rain on Tuesday does not always yield flowers on Thursday,” Reynolds quipped. “But rain in August may be too early to sprout flowers in March.”

Fall rain seemed to be a key ingredient in the last three superblooms. The spectacular flower displays of 1998, 2005, and 2016 were preceded by 1.6, 2.7, and 1.3 inches of fall rain. Death Valley received about 0.3 inches of rain last fall.

“The canyons, sand dunes, and night skies here are amazing,” said Reynolds. “And spring is an ideal time to visit Death Valley.”

These all pictures I have taken in Death Valley

Carrizo Plain National Monument - Bureau of Land Management

The Carrizo Plain is a large enclosed grassland plain, approximately 50 miles long and up to 15 miles across, in southeastern San Luis Obispo County, California, about 100 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Wikipedia
Address: 17495 Soda Lake Rd, Santa Margarita, CA 93453
Hours: Open 24 hours
Phone: (661) 391-6000

"Bloom generally starts in mid March and peaks some time in late March or early April. Bloom generally continues until the third week in June before drying up. What is this? In good bloom years, the wildflower bloom at Carrizo Plain National Monument is nothing short of stupendous."

This is a picture I took in a regular wild flower year
This picture from LA Times during a super bloom year

Borrego Springs

Pictures taken in the Borrego Springs Area

Some feel this will be very good year for wild flower around Borrego Springs, CA. And there are already pockets of wildflowers.

DesertUSA's Wildflower Guide is an up-to-date status of various viewing areas (link).


Traffic, Vehicle and People

Wildflower viewing has become incredibly popular. Expect heavy vehicular and foot traffic during peak viewing periods. Probably best to come early and leave early.

As an example, a popular, reasonably close viewing area near Lake Elsinore has been closed effective February 6 2023:
Lake Elsinore closes popular wildflower viewing area in Walker Canyon

In March 2019, city officials called a “public safety crisis,” because of the huge crowds that overwhelmed the city. About 50,000 people were reported in one day, then-Mayor Steve Manos said in a Facebook post, and Walker Canyon was temporarily closed.

Traffic backed up for miles on the 15 and on city streets, overflowed portable toilets and contributed to one death. A California Highway Patrol sergeant, Steve Licon, 55, was hit by a car and killed on the 15 Freeway as he wrote a ticket. His brother said Licon was on special patrol the day of his death because of massive crowds coming to see the flowers. A visitor was also bitten by a rattlesnake.

As wildflowers begin to bloom, Lake Elsinore’s leaders have a message for the public: while some flowers are blooming in Walker Canyon, a super bloom is not expected and visitors should stay away.

“Unfortunately the area around Walker Canyon is not suitable for heavy traffic,” [Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco] said. “… If you are going to come here and you are going to park your car, you’re subject to citation, and possibly the tow of your vehicle.”

Authorities will be monitoring the area 24/7, officials said.

A web cam has been provided to see wildflowers in the area: Walker Canyon Wildflower Cam


Antelope Valley California Poppy Preserve

Poppies (and people) are widely scattered through the preserve, near Lancaster, during a bloom, sometime between April and June.

360 view showing the profusion of poppies. Note: these picture were taken intentionally to omit vehicles and people, both very abundant. You can see a parking area at the base of the hill behind me.
My favorite poppy is this two-tone variety.
Anza Borrego


Some good viewing is available along Henderson Canyon Road, just west of the Peg Leg Smith Historical Monument, and also along DiGiorgio Road going into Coyote Canyon. You might find some blooming toward the south in Little Blair Valley.

Other creatures find the flowers enjoyable in ways other than viewing them.
A nice ocotillo spotted near the parking area for the Hellhole Canyon Trail. They bloom with bright crimson-orange flowers in spring and sometimes in response to summer showers. The name "ocotillo" appropriately means "little torch".
The flowers aren't the only attraction in Anza Borrego. Many people enjoy over 100 sculptures from Ricardo Breceda scattered all around Borrego Springs. This dragon can be found along Borrego Springs Road in Galleta Meadows. Check out what's available from the Seley Orchards self-serve fruit stand when in the area.