CA – Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Wildflowers Gone Wild

This was my first visit to the Borrego Springs area and my timing couldn’t have been more perfect for capturing the wildflower explosion as well as watch the blooms progress. This 650,000 acre park feels a bit overwhelming initially so it’s good to stop at the visitor center or the park store in “The Mall” to gather some resources. They are great about providing recommended wildflower viewing areas based on currently bloom reports.

I spent my first night in Coyote Canyon and was happy to witness this sunset.

Firsts for me:

(1) Blooming ocotillo
(2) Blooming century plant

(3) Blooming desert lily

(4) Ghost flower
(5) Spanish Needles

Other blooms that caught my attention:

Dune Evening Primrose and Sand Verbena

Barrel Cactus

Beavertail Cactus

Desert Star

Bigelow’s Monkey Flower

Brown-Eyed Primose

Phacelia. I was in the midst of a butterfly migration and they were everywhere but so busy or in such a rush it was hard to get good photos.

Lupine and either Desert Sunflower or Dandelion being visited by one of the many butterflies.

California Poppy (after a storm)

Desert Chicory

Experiencing a spring storm was a highlight especially catching rain drops on the flowers the next morning, seeing snow on the surrounding mountains and water in the normally dry washes.

Massive splashes of color are one of my favorites.

The foothills were just starting to glow with color as I turned my sights elsewhere. It was getting a bit crowded for me and I was growing tired of the wind.

Adventure Date(s):

• March 7-14, 2019

Tips:

• For park and area information, go to the Anza Borrego State Park store in “The Mall” in Borrego Springs. They will give you the same information as the visitor center which costs $10 to park. Save that fee until you are ready to spend a day in that particular area of the park hiking the associated trails. There is no fee elsewhere in this state park.
• Dispersed camping is readily available. Ask for map at the park store or visitor center.
• If you end up in Ocotillo Wells, ask about the showers. It was a great option and $1 for 4 minutes.
• The library in Borrego Springs is the best small town library I’ve visited. It’s an extension of San Diego and has the latest technology. They leave the WiFi on and have a back patio for use when they are closed. Another free WiFi option is in Christmas Circle, which includes restrooms, shade, picnic tables, charging outlets, etc.
• You can refill gallons of water for 30 cents at Center Market.
• Ocotillo Wells has an amazing educational center, all for free including a wildflower guide.

Resources:

• Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
• Map: Earthwalk Anza-Borrego Desert Region (look for 2018 edition)
• Book and Map: Anza-Borrego Desert Region: A Guide to State Park and Adjacent Areas of the Western Colorado Desert
• Desert USA – Anza-Borrego (great for keeping wildflower locations updated)
• ABDNHA – Borrego Blooms (updated flower maps)
• Borrego Wildflowers App
• Borrego Hiking App (Android)
• Borrego Hiking Website

Links:

• Jan’s Jaunts in California
• 2019 Jaunt Map

Photo Credit: Lady on a Rock (aka Rockin’)