DESERT SPRING FLOWER WALKS 2014

Blooming Joshuas Lake Palmdale early March

After just a small amount of rain, we had a more than fair amount of wildflower blooms.  Early March started the show and its still going on.








 On the way to Saddleback Butte State Park,  Goldfield carpet the desert floor.

Goldfields

                                 
                                         

Calstrop

March's bright blue desert sky

Wild Blue Flax

Dune Evening Primrose 

 

Dune Evening Primrose

Snow capped San Gabriels

Tansy Carpet

Tinytips

 ANAVERDE HILLS WILDFLOWERS

Poppies

Paintbrush

Baby Blue Eyes

Baby Blue Eyes

ANTELOPE VALLEY POPPY RESERVE

Much Rarer Yellow Poppies

 

SANTA BARBARA BIRD SANCTUARY AND BEACH WALK

We wanted to visit the bird sanctuary near the beach in Santa Barbara.  The tide was low and the smell not too inviting. 

We looped around and heard hummers and watched the ducks and coots float around

then headed for the beach for a long walk at low tide about north of the city.  The beach goes on and on and we turned around after about 1.5 hours. 

Coumerants resting & enjoying great view

Great way to bring in the new year.

ANAVERDE HILLS

On a warm January day, we headed up the steep slope fire road for about 2 miles with a 1000 ft gain.  All the work is done at the beginning. 

View North: Lake Palmdale & aqueduct in distance

As we reach the top the temp has cooled and feels like a 10 degree drop with wind.  We stop for a while finding some rocks to rest and a break from the wind as a coyote comes sauntering up the hill and takes off when he sees us.
We walk along the ridge and enjoy what has now become a refreshing breeze as we loop down and enjoy views of Acton and the San Gabriels beyond.

Its about a 4 hour loop on an easy pace and a lovely way to spend an unseasonably warm winter day in the high desert.

VERDUGO HILLS/ BEAUDRY HIKE

In the Glendale area meeting a friend for dinner and we wanted to find a nearby hike.  Found this one and took a lovely November hike in the late afternoon.  Since we started late and had not done the hike before, we decided to walk in until 4pm and return the same way.

Fire road facing east

Started up the east side just to get the views from there and then proceeded back the other way towards the west hoping to make the sunset view.


Warm day with lovely views.  Went in about 2.5 miles and turned around at 4:15 missing the sunset from the west.  Just a reason to return on a fall, winter or early spring day again to make the whole loop.

The light on the hills from the waning fall day and cooling air on the way back made for a great mid week treat.  The hike is about 6.5 miles round trip and parking is on a safe street.

Look forward to a return trip when in the area.

Above it all looking east toward San Gabriels

VASQUEZ ROCKS ~ LATE OCTOBER

Took a short walk to catch afternoon light and feel the clean, fresh October air.

Afternoon Light on rock formations

  The visitor's center has been completed, but it was too late to enter as they close at 4pm.  There have been some upgrades to the park since I last explored with markers and more information for the casual walker. 

Beautiful large pepper tree shades picnic area & welcome rest stop for PCT hikers

April and May are good times to catch Pacific Crest Trail Hikers who find this rest stop a welcome oasis and are generous about their experiences on the trail.
PCT goes from Mexico to Canada and most adventurers start in early spring.   






Vasquez Rocks, always a treat.

    

BURKHART TRAIL~ DEVIL'S PUNCHBOWL AREA

A perfect fall day about 73 degrees with light breezes made for a great getaway hike.
The day was windy earlier and cleared out the views of the Antelope Valley nicely.
Quiet and less traveled ( we saw nobody ) than the more popular Devil's chair.

Not enough time to do the more than about 3mi in and then back, the trail is will maintained now as opposed to a washout here a few years back.  

A part of the Pacific Crest Trail with great views and well shaded this time of year, there is a moderate ascent from the parking lot to the trail head, but the trail itself is along the ridge line heading West with views North (6 mi rt).

The geology of this area is ever interesting and a feast for the eyes of those who would enjoy its visuals and natural history.