Cave Creek Regional Park (posted 4/9/2010)

Get out now before they are gone! The Brittlebush is close to peak which means our other annual wildflowers will be on their down slope.

The roadsides are great right now with Brittlebush, Desert Marigold, Lupine and Owl’s Clover now abundant and creating some great picture opportunities.

GO JOHN:  Go ¾ of a mile in either direction to see the best blooms in the park. The winners this year are Lupine and Desert Chicory who have come out in force this year showing a great contrast with their purple and white blooms. The original spot east on the Go John has started to dry up with the poppies doing their short show this year and already dropping their petals. Desert Chicory, Lindley's Silverpuff, Tidy Tips and Desert Wishbone Bush are all still out enjoying the sunshine.  Be careful not to stray too far down the Go John Trail unless you are prepared with plenty of water. This 6 mile loop can be moderate to difficult at points and gets tough in the warmer weather.

OVERTON:  The Overton trail has been quiet this year. On the shady slopes facing northwest there are very thick spots of Lupine with Desert Chicory mixing in. The Brittlebush is amazing if you head ¾ of a mile west on the trail from the trailhead.

SLATE:  The Slate is still a great option for those wanting to take more of a stroll. Lupine, Chicory and Chia are great right now with some Globemallow starting to mix in.

NATURE CENTER:  The Desert Bells have almost disappeared but you can still find plenty of picture opportunities with the Marigold and Brittlebush holding strong.

ROADSIDE:  One of the great areas in the park right now with Brittlebush, Desert Marigold, Lupine and Owl’s Clover now abundant and creating some great picture opportunities. 

Look for the beautiful blooms of Hedgehog Cactus throughout the park as they are starting to show their scarlet colored flower.

Some new additions starting to bloom this week are Owls Clover and Plantain.

Current Flowers seen in the park this year:  Poppies, Lupine, Filaree, Penstemon, Desert Chicory, Desert Bells, Scorpionweed, Eucrypta, Combseed, Popcorn Flower, Red Maids, Chia, Desert Hyacinth, Gordon’s Bladderpod, Lindley's Silverpuff, Tidy Tips, Miniature Woollystar, Owls Clover, Whispering Bells, Desert Wishbone Bush, Globemallow, Deer Vetch, Chuparosa, Desert Marigold, Brittlebush, Ocotillo, Fairy Duster, Pincushion Cactus, Hedgehog Cactus.

Our Ranger led wildflower hikes started on March 6th and will continue until the flowers are gone!   Check out our website or call 623-465-0431 for the latest wildflower walks and directions. For driving directions, visit http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/cave_creek/Directions.aspx.

It is the perfect weather for a beautiful parade of wildflowers in the Estrella Mountain Regional Park.  All our lovely floral friends are strutting their stuff on the trails—golden poppies, purple lupine, green creosote, fiddleneck, scorpionweed, pincushion, bladderpod, combseed, popcorn flower, rock daisy, blue dick, brittlebush, filaree, ocotillo at their colorful best.  While our eye is drawn to the wild extravagance of the fuschia blossoms on the hedgehog cactus we also notice the simple white tackstem nearby.  Don’t underestimate her modest demeanor as underneath she shows her own purple streak!  On a beautiful morning like this all we can say is “Let the good times roll-Laissez les bon temps roulez” Arizona style!

The Estrella Mountain Regional Park offers a wide variety of programs from wildflower walks, bird walks, nighttime stargazing, pre-schooler fun, scout badge certifications, equestrian events, various festivals throughout the year on 19 miles of short and long looping trails.  Check out our calendar at www.maricopa.gov/parks/estrella.  Visit the Nature Center for a free wildflower blooming schedule and list.  The park offers inexpensive fun for the whole family throughout the year.

For driving directions, visit http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/estrella/Directions.aspx.

Lake Pleasant Regional Park (posted 3/20/10)

The wildflowers at Lake Pleasant are in full bloom and we are seeing Mexican gold poppy, yellow fiddleneck, yellow mustard evening primrose, deep blue coulter’s lupine, light pink gilia, tall purple desert hyacinth, pink filaree groundcover , blue wild heliotrope, and maroon owl clover, all in great quantities.  We are also seeing some orange globemallow, desert marigold, white tackstem, and the orange blooms of the Ocotillo.   There are a few of the small popcorn flowers, blue bell shaped fiesta flowers and blue desert chia blooming as well. So yes, the desert in Lake Pleasant Regional Park is full of color!  The best trail in the park is the south Pipeline Canyon trail.  It is a very colorful ½ mile walk to the floating bridge and back, where you will see not only colorful flowers, you will most likely see wildlife, aquatic birds, and even a fish or two in the water.

NOTE: On March 22, the park reported that the poppies were bursting along the Pipeline Canyon trail. According to the park supervisor, there are "huge patches of yellow and gold all over the hills as far as the eye can see." The poppies are interspersed with flowers mentioned above.

Please contact the park at 602.372.7460 for additional information. For driving directions, visit http://wwwdev2k3.maricopa.gov/parks/lake_pleasant/Directions.aspx.

San Tan Mountain Regional Park is the hidden gem of the southeast valley.  However, it may not be able to hide much longer due to the wild invasion of colors taking over the park’s mountainsides and valley plains.

Receive a warm, friendly welcome from the desert marigolds as you drive to the park entrance.  Listen to the melodic rhythm of yellow fiddleneck swaying in the wind along the Hedgehog Trail.  Be careful not to disturb the baby Coulters lupine as they awake for the first time along the Moonlight Trail.  Enjoy a tasty abundance of popcorn flowers popping up along the San Tan Trail.  See if you can spot the cheery array of sunny, bright brittlebush flowering on Goldmine Mountain near the Goldmine Trailhead.  Keep an eye out for the sneaky creosote bush along the Stargazer Trail as they come into bloom.  Don’t forget to stop by the Nature Center to get a peek of the desert tortoises as they devour scrumptious desert globe mallow and other wildflowers nestled inside the tortoise habitat.
     
Join the park ranger on special guided tours throughout the upcoming months to explore the magical wonders of San Tan Mountain Regional Park. 

Generous winter precipitation in the desert foothills has resulted in a good herbaceous wildflower response and the wildflower season is under way at Spur Cross. We invite you to hike the trails in the conservation area.

Brittlebush is the plant of the week and can be seen covering the hillsides with a patchwork of golden yellow color. Some annuals are now declining and going to seed such as fiddleneck, filaree, desert hyacinth, bladderpod, desert anemone, and combseed.

Elephant Mountain, Tortuga, and Spur Cross (west) Trails. The most color and diversity can be found by hiking the western half of the Spur Cross Regional Trail and the southern section of the Elephant Mountain Trail – particularly on the south facing slopes. Annuals found in this area include fiddleneck, combseed, filaree, desert hyacinth, Gordon’s bladderpod, popcorn flower, Coulter’s & Arizona lupine, gilia, desert anemone, Arizona fiesta flower, desert chia, red maids, scorpion weed, wild heliotrope, eucrypta, desert chicory, owl clover, yellow spiny aster, desert trumpet, California mustard, Easter bonnets, plantago, lace pod, yellow-spiny aster, New Mexico thistle, barestem delphinium, paleface delphinium, tufted evening primrose, mustard evening primrose and bottle evening primrose. Some groupings of Mexican poppies can be found toward the western end of the Spur Cross Trail although not as heavy as in previous years. Indian paintbrush, banana yucca, & dudleya can be found on the north slope of Elephant Mountain. Perennials blooming include jojoba, deer vetch, fairy duster, brittlebush, creosote bush, desert lavender, bush penstemon, desert wishbone bush, goldeneye, desert globemallow, desert phlox, menodora, ephedra, and ocotillo. The strawberry hedgehog cacti are now also flowering. These trails require more hiking and are more difficult to reach so bring a hat, plenty of water, and good hiking boots.

Metate, Towhee, Dragonfly, and Spur Cross (east) Trails. At lower elevations in the conservation area such as the eastern section of the Spur Cross, Dragonfly, Metate, and Towhee Trails, annuals found include fiddleneck, filaree, combseed, eucrypta, desert hyacinth, popcorn flower, Gordon’s bladderpod, wild heliotrope, scorpionweed, Arizona fiesta flower, desert chia, Coulter’s lupine, desert marigold, gilia, desert trumpet, New Mexico thistle, globe chamomile, yellow-spiny aster, London rocket, and desert chicory. Perennials in bloom in this area include jojoba, brittlebush, fairy duster, creosote bush, scarlet bugler penstemon, deer vetch, brittlebush, desert wishbone bush, ocotillo, and desert globemallow. The strawberry hedgehog cacti are now also flowering. Along the riparian stretches of the Metate and Dragonfly Trails, monkey flower, wild cucumber and canaigre can also be seen in bloom.

What to Expect: The Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area is largely wild upland Sonoran desert. There are few facilities. Hiking trails are unimproved with areas of unstable footing. Wear sturdy shoes and please bring plenty of drinking water. Dogs are allowed on leashes.

Notes:  The entrance fee is $3 per adult (correct change please) unless you hold a Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area Pass or a Maricopa County Parks Pass. Children under 16 admitted free. 

For more information call Ranger Kevin Smith at 480.488.6623...or visit our website http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/spur_cross/

WACKY WILDFLOWERS!

Join us for a ranger-guided wildflower hike or brown-bag talk this spring. For a schedule please visit the park website or pick up one at the Nature Center or the fee station. Drink plenty of water, leashed dogs are welcome and don’t forget your picnic!

Wind Cave Trail : Our most popular trail with a steady 800’ ascent. Amsonia, arizona fiesta flower, brittlebush, buckhorn cholla, chuparosa, combseed, creosote, dainty desert hideseed, desert chia, desert chickory, desert hyacinth, desert marigold, desert tobacco, desert wishbone, fairy duster, fiddleneck, filaree, flat-top buckwheat, gilia, gold poppies, janusia, jojoba, lacepod, london rocket, lupine, miniature wool star, mustard evening primrose, ocotillo, pepperweed, popcorn flower, prickly pear, red maids, scorpionweed, silver puffs, strawberry hedgehog cactus, white tackstem, wild heliotrope, wolfberry, woolly daisy.

Pass Mountain Trail : A strenuous, 7-mile trail with a great view. Amsonia, arizona fiesta flower, brittlebush, buckhorn cholla, chuparosa, combseed, creosote, dainty desert hideseed, desert chia, desert chickory, desert hyacinth, desert marigold, desert tobacco, desert wishbone, fairy duster, fiddleneck, filaree, flat-top buckwheat, gilia, gold poppies, goldfields, janusia, jojoba, lacepod, london rocket, lupine, miniature wool star, mormon tea, mustard evening primrose, ocotillo, pepperweed, popcorn flower, prickly pear, red maids, scorpionweed, silver puffs, strawberry hedgehog cactus, tidytips, white tackstem, wild heliotrope, wolfberry, woolly daisy.

Merkle Trail : Barrier-free, access for wheelchairs and strollers. Arizona fiesta flower, brittlebush, buckhorn cholla, chuparosa, combseed, creosote, dainty desert hideseed, desert chia, desert globemallow, desert hyacinth, desert marigold, desert wishbone, fairy duster, fiddleneck, filaree, flat top buckwheat, gold poppies, jojoba, london rocket, lupine, miniature wool star, mustard evening primrose, ocotillo, parish viguiera, popcorn flower, prickly pear, scorpionweed, strawberry hedgehog cactus, wild heliotrope, wolfberry, woolly daisy.

For more information call Usery Mountain Regional Park at 480-984-0032. For driving directions, visit http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/usery/Directions.aspx.