2008 Wildflower Season - best locales?

[Randal_Schulhauser]

I've noticed with our December/January precipitation that the desert floor is beginning to "green-up". Desert wildflower bloom season is typically late January to mid April, depending upon the location, species, and other factors.

I was wondering if anyone can report wildflower "hot spots" for 2008?

RANDAL

[joebartels]

I'd keep a close eye on the triplogs and photosets!

http://hikearizona.com/Wildflower.php

[ChefTIO]

I threw around a lot seeds last fall in my backyard, they all are coming up now and thick. But I can't offer much of a hike unless you want to walk in a circle 200-300 times.

[Crzy4AZ]

I don't know about 2008 but past winners in my opinion are: Organ Pipe National Monument, Picacho Peak, and Lost Dutchman area. :budrose:

The AZ State Parks website used to have a wildflower webcam. Can't find it today on a search of the site. Maybe b/c it's too early to start zooming in on poppies.

[Randal_Schulhauser]

I was out to Lost Dutchman State Park this morning. Plenty of green with lots of young shoots growing from the desert floor, but still too early for any blooms...

Looks like this area could be a "hot spot" for wild flowers in a couple of weeks!

[brewmarc]

Sahuaro National Monument West, near Tucson, has always been a favorite, and is well worth the drive. You can work in a trip to the neighboring Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum while you're at it, which is a great time on it's own. I've found that late Feb to mid-March is the best time to catch the peak blooming in the area. With the recent rains, we should be in for quite a show this year!

[Randal_Schulhauser]

I spent the day down at Organ Pipe National Monument. Still too early for any blooms, but talking to the Park Rangers, they are expecting an "above average" year late February/early March. Plenty of green with some water running in the washes near the Ajo Range...

[joebartels]

Super Rain in the Superstitions last 24 hours
0.5 inches West Boulder Canyon
1.5 inches LaBarge Canyon/Creek
2.0 inches Tortilla Creek

[Randal_Schulhauser]

I just got back from a conference in San Diego. Interstate 8 is now lined with orange globemallow blooms and some brittlebush yellow displays. The preserves in Ahwatukee are all green with a yellow flowering groundcover appearing on the sloped washes.

Looks like wildflower show time!

[Dano]

I'm excitedly anticipating a good year.

I saw several Mexican Poppies on the Vista trail in Usery Mountain Park today.

Thanks for starting this thread, I hope others can report sightings.

[Randal_Schulhauser]

Think Al captured the first poppy of the year on 2/10...

http://hikearizona.com/phoZOOM.php?ZIP=55993

[Dano]

I took the Warrior trail at the West end of South Mountain park area, and saw many poppies on the North and East sections of the mountain. I think I also saw a few lupine atop the ridge.

[Randal_Schulhauser]

Poppies have started to come out in force on South Mountain. Photo evidence from Sunday 2/17 http://hikearizona.com/phoZOOM.php?ZIP=56381

[joebartels]

Think Al captured the first poppy of the year on 2/10...

http://hikearizona.com/phoZOOM.php?ZIP=55993

I've been snubbed by 143, but Al's a good guy so that's cool

Noticed yesterday that yellow is taking over the southern slopes from Coronado Mesa to Bronco Butte.

[Randal_Schulhauser]

Think Al captured the first poppy of the year on 2/10...

http://hikearizona.com/phoZOOM.php?ZIP=55993

I've been snubbed by 143, but Al's a good guy so that's cool

Noticed yesterday that yellow is taking over the southern slopes from Coronado Mesa to Bronco Butte.

So we have 2 photos on 2/10 taking claim for "first poppy of the year". Time stamp tie-breaker?

[fricknaley]

For those interested, Saguaro is starting the poppy bloom. I was at King's Canyon today and there are nice poppies all the way to Sweetwater Saddle. Lupines and the rest are just starting, but after this weekend things seem to be moving along nicely.

[Randal_Schulhauser]

Picacho Peak State Park (Hunter Trail and Sunset Vista Trail) is literally bursting into bloom. Should be a primo site for a few more weeks...

http://hikearizona.com/photocodeZOOM.php?ID=4831&TNI=65

http://hikearizona.com/photocodeZOOM.ph ... 28&TNI=746

[Al_HikesAZ]

RedRoxx just knocked it out of the park with her Winkleman walkabout. Awesome & masterful. :thanx:

[PrestonSands]

All I can offer is where not. Southeastern AZ, the Chihuahuan Desert. We have jack squat. You Sonoran Desert folks are making me jealous! :-({|=

[joebartels]

Dear Mr. Look out the Kitchen window at Mount Graham,

Cry me a river!

-wan