Category: Wildflower Hikes

Hiking a Superbloom: Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve

@serafinahikes

The poppy fields near Lancaster, California, our place that I've wanted to visit for sometime. They are open from Dan until desk and there are several hundred acres to explore. Some parts of the reserve are accessible by OHV, along unpaved sandy roads. The best parts of the park are supposed to be down these roads. It was a 3 hour drive to get here, and I left just before sunrise. It was a Monday morning, and not the peak time for visitors. Poppies are not a morning flower and need full sun to open up. That is one reason I did not come earlier, at sunrise. Late morning was decidedly the best time to see wildflowers, when the sun was up. Around 10:30 am I began my hike. I was greeted by a small Painted Lady Butterfly. After making my way halfway up the hill, there were yellow blooms all around, mostly of  poppies, tiny yellow daisy’s, and sky blue lupines.

Coyote Peak in Anza Borrego

@serafinahikes

I drove into Borrego Springs and I made a right through the center of town. I drove around the traffic circle and noticed a farmers market. From here, I drove straight out into what feels like the middle of nowhere. Rego Springs that's one of those places where you feel like you're getting away from it all every sense of the word. Very few stores, homes, or anything here, yet it still hangs on somehow I personally like this little town a lot. I continued onto Sultan seaway. I could see the coyote peak off in the distance illuminated by the morning sun. I wasn't expecting to see an actual coyote, driving up the road to Coyote Canyon. I headed up Rockhouse Canyon Rd. and parked in what looked like a small turnaround, next to a bush. It would be a 6.2 mile hike to Coyote Peak, and there was no trail.

2 Peaks in a Day: Bedford and Bald Peak

@serafinahikes

The trailhead to Bedford Peak is located by the Maple Springs Visitors Center, along Maple Springs Rd., an OHV road which leads you from Silverado Canyon, up toward North Main Divide Rd. in the Santa Ana Mountains. I arrived at Maple Springs around 7 am, finding the gate was open so we were able to drive up the road  about 1/2 mile to park by the trailhead. Had there been recent rain, the gate would have been closed to traffic for 48 hours. There are only about 6 parking spots at the trailhead in front of the gate. I was greeted by a bright yellow sunflower, likely sprouted from a stray sunflower seed. Birds drop seeds from feeders, and are the reason you may see non-natives sprouting along the trail. The first mile or so of trail are made up of two long switchbacks through a canyon, dotted in sycamore trees, scattered in early spring wildflowers, shrubs and vines.

Hiking to Lake One, Two and Three in Big Pine Lakes (10 miles)

@serafinahikes

After more climbing I found myself hiking alongside a series of cascading waterfalls once again. The fast flowing water was beautiful, but I knew not to get too close. You would not want to fall in here. I was now standing just above the first of many towering waterfalls along this trail. I was finally entering the John Muir Wilderness once again! The scene kept changing and transforming. I was now surrounded by an enchanted forest. I reached my first milestone of the hike, the Lon Chaney cabin. The scene kept changing from towering forests to mountain vistas of wildflowers and granite.

Red Tahquitz Peak

@serafinahikes

Here I was, back in Idyllwild again, years later. I picked up my permit at the ranger station kiosk which is open 24 hours. The permits can be limited to places such as Tahquitz Peak during peak times of the year. So you must always pick one up, before you head out. I then drove toward Humber Park, and reached the parking area around 7:45 am.  Once I arrived at the parking area, right away I spotted beautiful Lily Rock towering up above. Today I was hiking with a friend, who had yet to hike to Red Tahquitz Peak, so this would be a first for both of us. The area of Tahquitz Peak and Lily Rock is a popular rock climbing area as well, and I noticed several climbers heading out from the trailhead as well.