BajaNomad

Anza Borrego National Park BLOOM

Bob H - 3-9-2010 at 09:25 AM

This year is supposed to be spectacular. In about two weeks from now! I will go and take lots of photos.
Bob H

ATTENTION! - NEW Wildflower Report - March 4, 2010

After a winter of bountiful rain, the desert is poised to burst into a riot of colorful blossoms. We currently expect a very good bloom.

Because of the cooler than normal weather we have had
in the last few weeks, we estimate of the peak bloom will
now likely occur between the second and third week of March.

Come on out and enjoy this rare and breathtaking wildflower event!

More about the Park
Most visitors approach from the east via Highways S22, S2, or 78. Visitors from San Diego via Highways 79 and 78 have the added pleasure of driving through the mountainous Cuyamaca Rancho State Park--quite a different experience from Anza-Borrego. The highways from the east climb to 2,400 feet or so and then descend about 2,000 feet to the valley. Where the highway breaks out of the high-country vegetation, it reveals the great bowl of the Anza-Borrego desert. The valley spreads below, and there are mountains all around. The highest are to the north--the Santa Rosa Mountains. The mountains are a wilderness, with no paved roads in or out or through. They have the only all-year-flowing watercourse in the park. They are the home of the peninsular bighorn sheep, often called desert bighorn. Few park visitors ever see them; the sheep are justly wary. A patient few observers each year see and count them, to learn how this endangered species is coping with human encroachment.


Wi-Fi Service
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park now offers AT&T Wi-Fi Service!
This service enables park visitors with wireless enabled laptop computers or personal digital assistants (PDAs) to access the Internet. You can access this service if you are within a 150 foot range base of the Ranger's Office.

Hook - 3-9-2010 at 02:48 PM

Not sure if you are aware of this site, Bob, but it has REALLY good wildflower reports from many areas of SoCal. This is the link to the ABDSP report.

http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/ca_abdsp.html

Bajaboy - 3-9-2010 at 04:01 PM

Hi Bob-

We used to make a trek out to Anza Borrego until I realized that parks in San Diego such as Mission Trails is just as good for wildflower viewing. I do a lot of trail running and this time of year is incredible.

zac

David K - 3-9-2010 at 04:38 PM

Next to Baja, the Anza-Borrego desert and Ocotillo Wells Off Road Park is our favorite place to 4 wheel and camp!

Bajalover - 3-10-2010 at 09:03 AM

Agree that in about 1 to 2 weeks the bloom will explode. can see the following:
- Creosote is starting to bloom
- Verbena are out, with the best to come during the next week once it warms up more "cold windy today", alot of verbena can be seen by Peg Legs and along the Coyote Canyon road area
- Barrel Cactus are just beginning to think about growing some buds
- Ocotillo are in bloom - started in Dec and will peak once it warms up in a week - ALOT OF BUDS on the stalks
- brittle bush - early blooms are beginning, many buds already on plants
- Agava "Century Plants" are growing with stalks anywhere from 2 to 4 ft, bloom about 3 to 4 weeks away.
- desert daisys, susans beginning to bloom along the roads where water was more abundant,

With this years 9 or so days of rain - it will be a carpet of color, get out and enjoy.
Enjoy, it will be great - :bounce::bounce:

[Edited on 3-10-2010 by Bajalover]

Hook - 3-10-2010 at 09:35 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajaboy
Hi Bob-

We used to make a trek out to Anza Borrego until I realized that parks in San Diego such as Mission Trails is just as good for wildflower viewing. I do a lot of trail running and this time of year is incredible.

zac


Does it have the incredible desert lily?





[Edited on 3-10-2010 by Hook]

Bajalover - 3-10-2010 at 10:00 AM

Yup, it's got desert lillies, totally forgot about those beauts. They're beginning to bloom by Coyote Canyon and Peg Leg. On the road between Borrego Springs and Ocotillo Wells, they're budding.
Hope this is helpful.;D;D

Hook - 3-10-2010 at 11:30 AM

No, no............wondering if these SD trails have them?

They are unique.

Bajaboy - 3-10-2010 at 07:14 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
No, no............wondering if these SD trails have them?

They are unique.


Hook-

Haven't seen those...beautiful. But I can say each canyon I run has such a wide diversity of flora. I've enjoyed watching many of the burned areas come back to life.