Southern California Club Xterra

Southern California Club Xterra => SCCX Xcursions => Topic started by: Paul on March 01, 2010, 05:26:47 PM

Title: Wild Flowers to Peak in First Few Weeks of March
Post by: Paul on March 01, 2010, 05:26:47 PM: Anza Borrego Foundation Reports Peak of Blooms at Anza Borrego DSP Expected First Few Weeks of March

Quote
The chillier windy weather in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park has depressed the blooming of many flowers. If weather continues to warm up, the peak of the bloom is predicted for the first few weeks of March. [You can also read more about flowers at Anza Borrego DSP on DesertUSA's Wildflower Reports page.]

Coyote Canyon
Title: Re: Wild Flowers to Peak in First Few Weeks of March
Post by: FrankB on March 01, 2010, 05:46:45 PM: I was in Anza Borrego on Sunday. The bloom is coming along nicely; not quite there yet, but there are still a lot of flowers out there right now. The area on the north side of Henderson Canyon is really green right now, and should pop in maybe a week (hard to say, I'm certainly no expert). There are already a lot of sand verbena, desert lillies and lupine blooming right now.

We also wandered through those washes along Arroyo Salado area to the south of S-3, out to 17 Palms, the Pumpkin Patch, then back down Ella Wash to Arroyo Salado and Short Wash (same route we took with the club in November). Lots of flowers out that way. The Ocotillo Wells OHVRA rangers that were set up at the Pumpkin Patch (doing an informative thing about the "pumpkins") said that they have a pretty nice bloom going in their area as well.

This coming weekend should be really nice, but as Paul mentioned, Tierra del Sol adds a lot of people to the area, and if the newspapers run their ususal flower articles, that will add to crowds. Henderson Canyon Road can be packed. Coyote Canyon was quite chaotic last time there was a big bloom, with lots of people who don't understand the dynamics of meeting another vehicle on a one-lane trail. If you want some quiet time with the flowers I would suggest either the washes south of S-3 or the Buttes Pass / Hawk Canyon area. Once you get far enough off the pavement to where the mini-van drivers start getting scared it gets a lot better.

(http://frankbaiamonte.smugmug.com/So-Cal-Explorations-Day/Arroyo-Salado-Anza-Feb-2010/FB011851/799685898_FUmTK-L.jpg)
Title: Here is another report
Post by: sturndog on March 03, 2010, 08:53:05 AM: Carol Leigh's wildflower report at http://calphoto.com/wflower.htm (http://calphoto.com/wflower.htm)

Santa Barbara / San Ynez mountains should be nicxe in a few weeks too.
Title: Re: Wild Flowers to Peak in First Few Weeks of March
Post by: Bobby B. on March 21, 2010, 11:15:37 PM: Well, we'll see what Death Valley has to offer come Friday.
Title: Re: Wild Flowers to Peak in First Few Weeks of March
Post by: ultrapc40 on March 22, 2010, 05:15:52 PM: I went to AB. on sunday. It was awesome out there.
Title: Re: Wild Flowers to Peak in First Few Weeks of March
Post by: Paul on March 22, 2010, 07:30:45 PM: Quote from: ultrapc40 on March 22, 2010, 05:15:52 PM
I went to AB. on sunday. It was awesome out there.

Might be able to break this weekend for Anza ... not sure at this point.
Title: Re: Wild Flowers to Peak in First Few Weeks of March
Post by: FrankB on March 22, 2010, 10:51:21 PM: Quote from: ultrapc40 on March 22, 2010, 05:15:52 PM
I went to AB. on sunday. It was awesome out there.

I was out there on Sunday as well . . . Old Kane Springs Road & Harper Canyon around the Cactus Garden, then over to Buttes Pass Road, Hawk Canyon, part of the Goat Trail, and the southern portion of Borrego Mountain Road as far as the top of the drop-off. Lots of flowers, and the cactus are blooming as well. I'm going back tomorrow (Tuesday) too, if anyone is going to be out there let me know.

(http://frankbaiamonte.smugmug.com/So-Cal-Explorations-Day/Anza-Borrego-Cactus-032110/FB012530/816255508_qf9rz-L.jpg)

I'll probably be out there next weekend too.
Title: Re: Wild Flowers to Peak in First Few Weeks of March
Post by: ultrapc40 on March 22, 2010, 11:22:29 PM: I knew I should have called you Frank. I end up going to the vistor center to check things out because i have no clue where to go. After that, I took 2 landcriuser that came with me to calsite mine. I parked the Ram and walked up as they drive up. you can do that trail in a WRX now.
Title: Re: Wild Flowers to Peak in First Few Weeks of March
Post by: Blackx on March 23, 2010, 09:32:05 PM: Quote from: FrankB on March 22, 2010, 10:51:21 PM
I was out there on Sunday as well . . .
Frank I saw you driving out there. I was on my way back from my friends place in Volcan Mtn. I also ended going out today with one of my business partners. Did you go today?
Title: Re: Wild Flowers to Peak in First Few Weeks of March
Post by: FrankB on March 23, 2010, 09:53:02 PM: Quote from: Blackx on March 23, 2010, 09:32:05 PM
Frank I saw you driving out there. I was on my way back from my friends place in Volcan Mtn. I also ended going out today with one of my business partners. Did you go today?

I went to Sandstone Canyon today (Tuesday 3/23). It was great. Lots of flowers and all the great geology as well. There is even a newly fallen rock in the middle of a narrow part of the canyon that was not there when we did the club run back in November or so. Just barely enough room to get through.

Also stopped at the Cactus Garden on Old Kane Springs Road again, this time in the very late afternoon. The light was great for photos. I'll put some pics up in a day or so.
Title: Re: Wild Flowers to Peak in First Few Weeks of March
Post by: Ghost65 on March 24, 2010, 07:17:44 AM: I am playing golf in Borrego Springs next Wednesday, so I am hopeful to make a side trip and check out some of the flowers. Thanks for all the tips.