Natural History Wanderings

Death Valley reported on their Facebook Page:

Wildflower Update

The show right now is at the mid-elevations. My hot spot of the week is the Salsbury Pass area on the Badwater Road. On a wildflower ranger program this past weekend, we encountered nearly 50 different species of wildflowers within just a few miles by making 2 stops, one on the east side and one on the west side of the pass. Entering the park from the east on Hwy. 190, you are greeted by some nice displays of Golden Evening Primrose, Globemallow, and Phacelia. As you approach the Badlands, look for Pygmy Cedar in bloom, luxuriant bushes of Rock Nettle blossoms, and the rounded perfection of Turtleback. Dante’s View Road is looking great, lots of Fremont Phacelia, Desert Dandelion, and Desert Gold Poppies. There is a lot blooming on the Daylight Pass Road. On Highway 190 just west of Emigrant Campground there are some nice patches of Golden Evening Primrose, Notch Leaf Phacelia, and Broad Flowered Gilia. Beavertail Cactus and Indigo Bush have started blooming in many locations throughout the park. The strikingly bizarre shapes of Desert Trumpet, crowned by an ethereal mist of unbelievably tiny yellow flowers, is sure to catch your eye. Look for them on the Scotty’s Castle Road and Highway 190 west of Stovepipe Wells. Speaking of Scotty’s Castle, Grapevine Canyon near Scotty’s Castle is decorated with the oranges and yellows of Primrose, Globemallow, and Desert Dandelion.
If you are going into the backcountry, Greenwater Road is fantastic, and so is Gold Valley. Since the cactus are blooming, Hole In The Wall Road should be pretty nice, too. Planning a hike to look at wildflowers? Give Virgin Spring Canyon a try. I’ve heard that both Fall Canyon and Mosaic are still pretty nice, too.
There are still some nice patches of gold north of Furnace Creek, but the lower elevation bloom is pretty much over. But don’t let anyone tell you there are no flowers in Death Valley.

If you are going into the backcountry, Greenwater Road is fantastic, and so is Gold Valley. Since the cactus are blooming, Hole In The Wall Road should be pretty nice, too. Planning a hike to look at wildflowers? Give Virgin Spring Canyon a try. I’ve heard that both Fall Canyon and Mosaic are still pretty nice, too.

There are still some nice patches of gold north of Furnace Creek, but the lower elevation bloom is pretty much over. But don’t let anyone tell you there are no flowers in Death Valley.