Outdoor Adventure USA

Southwest Wildflower Viewing Destinations

With all of the rain we've seen this year, wildflower blooms should be spectacular. There are already a few locations where blooms are happening, and if we get some cooperative warm 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.

Here is a good example of the desert bloom of a Joshua Tree. In all my travels in our Mojave Desert, this is one bloom that I have seldom seen. A treat for the eyes, and for the nose too.

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 some 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!!!

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 places where wildflower blooms are to be found as well.

The deserts however, offer multiple opportunities to enjoy this spring event, and are, by far, one of 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.



SUGGESTED WILDFLOWER LOCATIONS

• 1. Carrizo Plain National Monument

Carrizo Plain National Monument is a fascinating and relatively unknown Monument, with an intriguing history and equally compelling reasons to put it on your list of places to visit. The monument is quite large, as the map below shows. The monument is some quarter of a million acres and measures about 50 miles long and up to 15 miles wide.


The Plain is situated in a basin with Soda Lake being the lowest point and it's centerpiece. The interesting and unique aspect of Soda Lake is that when it rains, the water all drains into Soda Lake, but being situated in a basin, there is no outlet for the water to drain out. The result is that in wet years, Soda Lake is full (so to speak.) and looks like this:

Source: Discover Central California (https://www.discover-central-california ... -monument/)
When the rain stops and the weather turns warm, the lake dries up leaving behind all the salts, and giving the appearance of baking soda. And, looks like this:

Source: Discover Central California (https://www.discover-central-california ... -monument/)


The topography of the CPNM is unique in that it it is largely a flat treeless grassland, surrounded by large mountains. Long before the Central Valley was dominated by agricultural and residential interests, the area was a vast grassland, the only remnants of which today is the Carrizo Plain National Monument. Many roads traverse the Monument (which is open year round), and camping in designated areas is allowed.

For this net, the main focus on the Monument will be the spring wildflower blooms. When that happens, it is the best of the best. In the last several years, when spectacular pictures of wildflower booms are reported, they are often from the Carrizo Plain National Monument.

The following are pictures that showcase the amazing display that appears in the Carrizo Plain when the bloom is in full swing:


Now, this is a "SUPER BLOOM"!!! (At Carrizo NM.)

• 2 Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve (https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=627)

The Antelope Valley is located in the western Mojave Desert at an elevation ranging from 2600--3000 feet, making it a high desert environment. No special vehicle is required to visit the Reserve and no hiking for long distances or in rough terrain is necessary. It is easy to reach on paved roads and there are eight miles of trails through the gentle rolling hills.

• $10 admission per vehicle

• open year around from dawn to dusk

• benches along the trails for those who need a rest or to just soak up the sights and quiet

• eight miles of trails through the gentle rolling hills

Some pics of the Reserve.

• 3. Anza Borrego Desert State Park

Anza Borrego is a favorite wildflower destination for SoCal, due mostly to the huge size of the park, the ability to traverse almost 600 miles of off road trails, an amazing diversity of very scenic and unique terrain, and untold numbers of wildflower locations. The park is also right on the way to Julian with great lodging and dining. For those so inclined, the wine region of Temecula is also nearby. The park staff and the Anza Borrego Foundation actively locate and report wildflower conditions throughout the season. While the park often gets a little crowded during the bloom season, one can get the solitude of an uncrowded flower field if you can take your 4WD off road.

A good example is Coyote Canyon. While the trail into the Canyon can be difficult for 2WD vehicles, especially in the sandy stretches, the tougher trail begins right after what was called the "third stream crossing." This is the point where most vehicles stop. With a 4WD vehicle, the trip to the top, in the Collins Valley, is rewarding and much, much less crowded. Lots of wildflowers, too.

Some pics of Anza Borrego.

Wild Flower Predictions for 2024

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/)
  

  CALIFORNIA WILDFLOWERS 2024 – WHERE TO SEE THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SUPERBLOOM
  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 several individual day reports 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 Are 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.

TO: ALL CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, CENTRALIZED LIST OF FIREARMS DEALERS, MANUFACTURERS, EXEMPT FEDERAL FIREARMS LICENSEES, AND CALIFORNIA AMMUNITION VENDORS.

This bulletin provides a brief summary of California firearms/weapons bills that were signed into law in 2023. This bulletin also provides a summary of bills signed into law prior to 2023 that take effect in 2024.

This bulletin is for informational purposes only. Because it is a summary, it does not cover every aspect of the bills addressed below. The full text of the bills can be accessed at: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/. The Department of Justice will hereinafter be referred to as “the Department.”

BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW IN 2023
For the long list: https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/media/2024-dle-02.pdf

AB 28 (Stats. 2023, ch. 231) – Firearms and ammunition: excise tax
Effective July 1, 2024

• Imposes an excise tax in the amount of 11% of the gross receipts from the retail sale of firearms, firearm precursor parts, and ammunition.

• Establishes the Gun Violence Prevention and School Safety Fund within the State Treasury. Funds collected pursuant to the new excise tax will be deposited into this fund and allocated to specified gun violence prevention, mental health, law enforcement, and victim service programs.

• Requires firearms dealers and ammunition vendors to possess a valid certificate of registration issued by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration pursuant to Revenue and Taxation Code section 36036.

AB 725 (Stats. 2023, ch. 239) – Firearms: reporting of lost and stolen firearms
Effective July 1, 2026

• Expands the definition of firearm to include the frame or receiver of the weapon, including both completed frames and receivers, or firearm precursor parts in the provisions that require a person to report any lost or stolen firearm to a law enforcement agency and that require the agency receiving such a report to enter a description of the lost or stolen firearm into the Department’s Automated Firearms System.

AB 1089 (Stats. 2023, ch. 243) – Firearms
Effective January 1, 2024

• Changes existing law to now require anyone who utilizes a three‐dimensional printer or Computer Numerical Control (CNC) milling machine to manufacture a firearm to be a state‐licensed manufacturer.

• Prohibits the sale, purchase, possession or receipt of a three‐dimensional printer or CNC milling machine that has the sole or primary purpose of manufacturing firearms by anyone in the state except for state‐licensed firearm manufacturers.

• In Civil Code section 3273.50, expands the definition of firearm‐related products to now include certain three‐dimensional printers and CNC milling machines that are marketed, sold as, or reasonably designed and intended to be used to manufacture or produce firearms. This law requires individuals engaged in the manufacture, distribution, importation, marketing, or sale of these machines to comply with a specified standard of conduct.

• Provides that a civil action may be brought against an individual who distributes any code or digital instructions for manufacturing a firearm using a three‐dimensional printer or CNC milling machine, or who violates specified provisions relating to the use, sale, marketing, advertising, transfer, possession, purchase, or receipt of a CNC milling machine or three‐dimensional printer.

• Makes an individual strictly liable for any personal injury or property damage, as specified, caused by any firearm manufactured using the distributed code or manufactured by a CNC milling machine, three‐dimensional printer, or similar machine.

• Authorizes the Attorney General, a county counsel, and city attorneys to bring an action seeking injunctive relief and a civil penalty not exceeding $25,000 for each violation of Civil Code sections 3273.61, 3273.62 and Penal Code section 29185.

AB 1483 (Stats. 2023, ch. 246) – Firearms: purchase
Effective January 1, 2025

• Eliminates an existing private party transaction exemption from the prohibition on more than one firearm purchase within a 30‐day period.

• Creates an exemption to the 30‐day period for any private party transfers where the seller is, at the time of the transaction, required under state law or by court order to relinquish all firearms.

• Creates an exemption to the 30‐day period for private party transfers where the seller is transferring firearms as a result of death of the owner of the firearms.

AB 1587 (Stats. 2023, ch. 247) – Financial transactions: firearm merchants
Effective July 1, 2024

• Requires payment card networks to make the merchant category code for firearms and ammunition businesses, established by the International Organization for Standardization on September 9, 2022, available for merchant acquirers that provide payment services for firearms merchants.

Effective May 1, 2025

• Requires merchant acquirers to assign to firearms merchants the aforementioned category code.

• Authorizes the Attorney General to enforce these provisions and to bring a civil action to enforce these provisions and remedy harm caused by a violation of these provisions.

• Requires a court that determines that a person or entity has violated these provisions to award specified relief, including injunctive relief and a civil penalty in the amount of $10,000 for each

KK6CTT for the check-in, 03/20/24, please.

Although not the purpose of "trips to the desert," specifically...there have been flowers and sites to behold along the way for sure!

Desert Wildflower Field Guide: https://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/Field ... guide.html

Check in please, KC6JGZ, Russ

So beautiful!
Please check in Randy KF6KOC and Becky KF6RGR.

thanks

Check in please - Thanks - Bernie