We were surprised at all the flowers that we saw during the week-long visit. We'd missed the super bloom that occurred several weeks earlier, but were delighted at the variety of flowers and bushes still in bloom throughout the regions we visited. This was due to the late and ongoing rains that Southern California enjoyed this year. What a treat, especially after the severe drought from several years ago.
Here is a gallery of some of this year's flowering plants and shrubs (see galleries for 2017 and 2018 to compare).
My Example
Bluebell
Phacelia
Sugar Bush
Desert Willow
California Poppy
Unidentified
Buckeye
Wand Salvia
Aster
Firecracker
Every year we are treated to new and varied experiences. Many of the blossoms are predictable, while others are elusive and unexpected. Our quest to observe the blooms in nature adds to the exploration, fun, and adventures we share together.
We took a couple of after-dinner drives up Bautista Canyon to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the chaparral at dusk. As mentioned in a previous post, Bautista Road has been closed for several months at the Bautista Conservation Camp due to heavy damage sustained from winter storms. This eliminated one of our favorite outings, which is taking the bumpy, graded road from Bautista Canyon to Anza [see Bautista Canyon to Palm Springs (2018) for a recap of our adventures]. But it also inspired us to linger longer along the paved section of Bautista Road.
Lush canyon floor
Rocky canyon wall
Because of the late and ongoing rains, the vegetation along the road was lush and filled with flowers. We caught glimpses of Bautista Creek enough to see it still had water. The creek drains the San Jacinto mountains.
Dense chaparral vegetation in evening light
Yucca in full bloom
Spring grasses in various shades
The canyon is typically in the shade at dusk, while the surrounding hills are illuminated with golden evening light. We also experienced the canyon with overcast skies and misty air.
Early evening sunlight
Flowers clinging to the canyon wall
We didn't see any wildlife on either drives, but we did see many birds, and hear the buzz of bees as they worked over favorite flowers like Sugar Bush and Yerba Santa.
Sugar Bush
Blue Bells
Yerba Santa
A drive up Bautista Road is a great way to end a busy day of exploring, and transition to dessert (boysenberry pie with a scoop of rich vanilla ice cream) and great conversation about the day!
Transition to sunset
Evening light over the orange groves in the distance
Sunday was Lake Day! We wanted to visit two lakes in the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, and check out the water levels. For the last several years the water level has been severely depleted due to the drought, and we wanted to see if the situation had improved after winter and spring rains. Plus it is a treat to get out into the open-space preserves that surrounds these lakes. The open space helps ensure water security for Southern California, and provides recreational opportunities, similar to the multiple-use approach of our East Bay Regional Parks in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Overlooking Diamond Valley Lake
First stop was Diamond Valley Lake reservoir. Mom and I hiked up to the viewpoint, which is high on a hill and provides a 360 degree view of the dam, the vast lake, the canal that transports water to San Diego, and the valley floor below. The dam was full of water, and plants on the surrounding hills were thriving.
View of Diamond Valley Lake
Massive earth dam with bicycle trail
We saw some beautiful Brittlebush (Encelia farinosa) thriving on the well-drained hill. I saw a sign for a spring flower walk, and learned later that the walk starts at the Diamond Valley Lake Marina. We didn't visit the boat launch this year to compare, but during the height of the drought, launching a boat would have been harrowing! See Thirsty Lakes in the Chaparral (2015).
Shady gazebo on the way to the viewpoint
Healthy Brittlebush in ideal conditions
Mom and I enjoyed the views from benches at the top of the viewpoint, and under the shady gazebo, while Dad found a shady spot to work a crossword puzzle with a view of the lake in the background.
Skinner Lake Marina
Ready for a hike in the chaparral
Trail by Skinner Lake with high water level
Next stop was Skinner Lake (known as the Skinner reservoir), part of the Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District, and also part of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. We always like to check on the marina and walk along the trail by the water. The water level was very high compared with previous years. You can catch a view of the old waterline in Lake Skinner and the Old Schoolhouse (2018). We saw many plants thriving and blooming along the lake trail – Yerba Santa, Wand Sage, Buckwheat, Tamarisk. We saw quite a few boats out on the lake, and many fishermen casting their lines from the shore.
Dense flowers of the chaparral
Trail down to the Skinner Lake Day Use 2 area
Next we moved to the Day Use 2 area, to do more hiking and enjoy the open spaces. A small weather system moved in and the sky became dark and overcast, a wind kicked up, and a little rain fell! Along the shore, the deep beach that had developed during the drought is now underwater, as are the trees and bushes that had sprung up in the sand. The squall blew over, and we headed for Applebee's for hamburgers and half racks of ribs. We finished the day with boysenberry pie with a scoop of ice cream, conversation, and a good movie.
The beach is now covered with water!
Flooded beach
Later in the week, we drove over to see the Whitewater River. As I mentioned in an earlier post, the Whitewater Preserve is currently closed due to damage from heavy winter storms. But we could still see the river and were delighted to see how full the river was. Even though we couldn't drive into the Preserve, the surrounding location is beautiful with the wide river bed, the view of snow topped Mount San Jacinta, and the march of windmills on the valley floor. The latest word seems to be that the road won't be reopened until August or September, so we'll look forward to exploring Whitewater Preserve in our next visit!
Whitewater River was full of water
View of Whitewater River, Interstate 10, and the mountains beyond
Our outings were varied over the week-long visit, and included the lovely desert oases of Indian Canyons in hot Palm Springs, as well as the historic apple orchards and Montane Botanic garden in cool Oak Glen in the San Bernadino mountains. The contrast was notable, and both were enjoyable.
Palm oasis in the distance
We visited Indian Canyons on the hottest day of our visit - 102 degrees F. in the heat of the day. We packed a picnic and headed for Indian Canyons, located in the Agua Caliente Reservation just out of Palm Springs. We drove up to the Palm Canyon first, and purchased big bottles of ice cold water from the trading post, and sat under the shade to enjoy the view of the 15-mile long Palm Canyon below.
Palm Canyon Oasis in the canyon below
Water break in 102 degree heat
Enjoying the view
In years past we have hiked down to walk along the creek through the oasis, so didn't feel the need to prove ourselves anew. It seemed quite sensible to drink our water in the shade, view the palm trees below, and watch the bees working over nearby plants and the birds soaring overhead.
Flood damage
Indigo Bush (Amorpha fruticosa)
Then we headed over to Andreas Canyon for our picnic. Along the way we could see damage from flooding in past years. During the rains, the creek must rise significantly and move massive amounts of debris through the canyon. We spotted some plants in bloom including Brittle Bush and Indigo Bush.
Lunch under the California Fan Palms (Washingtonia filifera)
Rocks and palms
We ate our delicious lunch under the palms at Andreas Canyon. This is a lovely place for its accessibility, the contrast between palms and rocks, and view of the valley below. We ate our cheese, bread, apples, carrots, and cookies in the deep shade of the palms, with the sound of birds and the creek in the background. It is easy to see why the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians congregated in this area.
Fan palms by the creek in Andreas Canyon
Enjoying the shade
After lunch, Mom and I followed the creek through the palms, enjoying the shade and breezes, and watching the birds and lizards. The sound of water and bird song is so soothing and restful! Dad explored along the creek closer to the car, also sticking to the shade. (We all stayed in the shade, but still claim bragging rights for hiking in 102 degree F. heat)! We ended the day in Palm Springs, enjoying dinner at Maracas Cantina, a visit to the Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center, and the fun of the Thursday night Stroll (see Palm Springs in Three Visits).
View of the valley below
Several days later, the temperature dropped significantly as a small rain system blew in. We headed for Oak Glen Preserve in the San Bernadino Mountains to enjoy the cool mountain air - about 67 degrees F. at the hottest part of the day. The Wildlands Conservancy manages the Preserve, along with others such as Whitewater Canyon. We ate our picnic lunch under the shady trees lining the parking lot, enjoying the view of the orchards. Mom purchased delicious apple turnovers from the Los Rios bakery for our desert.
Apple orchard in Oak Glen Preserve
My Example
Apple blossoms
Quince blossom
Reading the excellent signage in Oak Glen Preserve
I walked through the Southern California Montane Botanic Garden to see what was in bloom. This garden specializes in the species of the greater San Bernadino Mountains. According to the brochure, more than 1,600 plant species have been identified in San Bernadino Mountains making it the most botanically diverse range of its size in the United States. The California Poppies were in full bloom and especially healthy.
Entrance to the Montane Botanic Garden
Hummingbird Hill
View from Hummingbird Hill
My folks and I headed for Red-Wing Pond to watch the wild fowl working on their nests. I took a few minutes to hike through the conifer tree forest, and then we hiked down the hill through the deciduous forest to watch several California blue jays working on their nests. We turned back when the trail got too steep.
Path through the Conifers of California
Purple meadow viewed from the conifer forest
View of Red-Wing Pond
We picked up a couple of cookies at the Los Rios bakery to build up our strength after hiking, and then ended the day with delicious BLT sandwiches for dinner at Polly's Pies. We took home a boysenberry pie and vanilla ice cream for dessert.
Red-Wing Pond
Shady bench for viewing California Blue Jays
I suppose in hind sight, we should have visited Oak Glen during the heat spell and the Palm oases when the weather front moved in, but I enjoyed both outings as is!
