Natural History Wanderings

Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association has two new wildflower updates:

January 17, 2014 even in this dry period there are flowers to be found. The Wilson trail, an easy hike on a faint dirt road. Take the Jasper trail and turn left on the four way crossing into (old) Culp Valley road and park at the Wilson trail (all signed). The road was good in 2014 and suitable for cars with some ground clearance. Flowers in bloom include Yellow pincushion, Chaenactis glabriuscula var. glabriuscula; Veatch\’s blazing star, Mentzelia veatchiana; and Indian Valley bush mallow, Malacothamnus aboriginum.

January 14, 2014 “a boulder rich hike” around Ghost mountain. The morteros are normally as short as hikes go. We made the hike a bit longer, into the canyon with plenty of boulders and back along the west side of Ghost mountain. Ghost mountain is filled with fish hook cacti. A couple of them are the first blooming cacti this year. Only recommended for experienced hikers.

See photos, full hike descriptions and older reports at: Anza-Borrego Wildflowers Spring – Fall 2013.