Natural History Wanderings

This is an updated summary of reports and predictions for the 2010 desert wildflower season from a variety of wildflower, park and natural history websites, and calls to visitor centers and hotlines.

Amboy Crater (near Amboy, CA and Route 66):  Good rainy season. Early March.

Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve:  Will probably begin middle of March and be best beginning to middle of April.  Reserve is closed to all vehicles until at least March 1; gate is open to visitors entering on foot.  They will have updates later in season at their website: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=627 and hotline at: (661)-724-1180

Anza Borrego:  The state Park website states “After a winter of bountiful rain, the desert is poised to burst into 
a riot of colorful blossoms. We currently expect a very good bloom.  We estimate that the peak of the bloom will occur between the
 end of the last week of February and the end 
of the second week of March.  Please click this link for the wildflower update for February 25. 

Flower Update and Map February 25 2010.pdf ….. But as long as the weather doesn’t get 
too hot, or too windy, we expect a spectacular 
desert wildflower show this year.  Come on out and enjoy this rare and
 breathtaking wildflower event!”  Best spots are currently Coyote Canyon Road, , Borrego Palm Canyon and Henderson Canyon. Other spots to check out are Culp Valley, Plum Canyon, Fish Creek Badlands, Elephant Trees Trail and Palo Verde Wash and Arroyo Salado.  There are serious concerns about the spread of invasive, alien mustard.

Carrizo Plain:  Lots of green.  Reports of some small flowers beginning to appear including fiddleneck, goldfields and storksbill (non-native).  Look for peak to be in mid-March.

Death Valley: Predicting a moderate season with a peak at the lower elevations in late March to early April.  Last update by park posted on Feb. 17.; a new one  should be out any day.

Gorman/Tehachapi/ Tejon Ranch: Ft. Tejon rangers predict best in Gorman-Lebec area beginning May. (http://tejonranch.com/conservation/spring_wildflowers.asp )  From what I have read about past blooming history this seems fairly late to me.

Hungry Valley:  The Ranger station says it is currently too cold for flowers. No reports for 2010 yet at website ,. (http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=21945 ; 661-248-5700); will star posting when bloom gets going which is probably going to be the end of March. Tours begin in April

Joshua Tree: As of March 1, the park site reports a slow start due to almost no fall rain but above average rain in winter.  Scattered bloom near south entrance.  Lots of green that will probably be in bloom in two weeks.  Currently, Joshua trees starting to bloom at higher elevations, Bladderpod in bloom near north entrance, Chuperosa on road near Cottonwood Octotillo in Pinto Basin.

Mojave National Preserve: Not seeing anything yet.  Peak will probably be late March into April.  Mid Higher elevations will blooms into May. No reports for 2010 yet at website.

Red Rock State Park:  Rain good so far, will need more over next few weeks.  Most likely peak will be end of March into April, but too early to know for sure.

Short Canyon:  Had good rains.  Best blooming period should be the end of March to April

Due to budget cuts most California state parks have greatly reduced services and less information is available.  Best current sources of information are the websites listed on the “Wildflower Reports:What’s Blooming Where” page above.  All predictions are tentative as wind, excessive or lack of precipitation, and severe hot or cold can change everything..

The LA Times had article on February 28, 2010:  California Desert will soon burst with Wildflowers by Benoit Bourgeois

http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-flowers-20100228,0,1785501,full.story

(cut and paste into your browser if the link doesn’t work when you click on it)

Please feel free to submit any additions in the comments section below.