Is it too early for flowers? Or am I just greedy?
This weekend Tony and I went to Figueroa Mountain to see the flowers. There weren't a lot of poppies, but there were tons of lupine. This was on the hill right past the ranger station. Probably the most amazing thing was this hillside covered in chocolate lilies and shooting stars. There was also a nice patch of goldfields on the way up.
We took a hike down Willow Springs trail and there were hardly any flowers there.
All in all, what we saw were lots of things scattered everywhere, but not a lot of showy carpets, which is what I was hoping to see.
By the way, we drove the entire length of Figueroa Mtn. Rd. and discovered Happy Canyon Rd. is closed at Cachuma Saddle. So if you want to go to Nira, take Figueroa Mtn. Road. Don't go in through Armour Ranch.
Today we went out to the Gaviota burn area. There were lots of flowers blooming there. The black mustard (which is so yellow your eyes hurt) was amazing. Above the mustard were many small things blooming. Little snapdragons, blue dicks, fire poppies, huge, clumpy star lilies, and Indian pinks.
Across the freeway on the Tresspass trail were a million blue dicks, some nice clumps of hummingbird sage, lots of buttercups, but overall, none of this was as spectacular as I would have expected after so much rain.
By the way, we saw 3 rattlesnakes and one ring neck snake in the last 2 days. Be careful. Those rattlers are everywhere. Don't bother or harm them. Watch were you step around rocks.
So, am I just expecting too much or is it still a little early for flowers? I'm certain there will be things coming up for many weeks to come. So perhaps it is.
Next stop: Death Valley?
