Natural History Wanderings

Warm temperatures are expected for the coming weeks. Hikers and other visitors should be prepared with plenty of water.

The annual wildflowers on the desert floor are quickly going to seed and drying up. This includes the easily accessible “drive-by” fields of flowers. Flower seekers willing to explore the western canyons and higher elevations on foot can still find individual specimens of many annuals.

Palo verde trees at the Visitor Center (and around town) are gorgeous right now, covered with yellow blossoms. A few annuals, some cacti, and shrubs are still blooming there as well.

Ocotillo are in full bloom, with flaming red blossoms at their tips. Good places to look for them are in Ocotillo Flats along the Coyote Canyon road, and along Borrego Springs Road south of Christmas Circle.

Higher elevations are starting to look beautiful, and will be a good place to focus on as lower elevation blooms dry up. You’ll see some roadside flowers, but pull into the Culp Valley Primitive Camp (OK for two-wheel- drive vehicles) and take a walk to explore—see what you can find!

Daytime temperatures are quite warm, but mornings and evenings are delightful for hiking, exploring, and wildflower-seeking!

Also check Borrego.hiking for more information and photos.