HikeArizona.COM

The lower desert areas of the state seem to be setting up for a nice wildflower season

If these weekly to bi-monthly rains keep up we might see something mid January if not sooner

Wildflower Observations
28 Day Wildflower Report Map

joe bartels wrote:The lower desert areas of the state seem to be setting up for a nice wildflower season

I've been thinking the same thing. I'm counting on HAZ folks to give me plenty of warning. All my cancelled trips left me with some carryover that needs burning in the first quarter.

My expectations for the show next year have been building each week with all of these rains.

Hopefully it doesn't suddenly dry out and turn into last winter, these rains should make for a nice display in February or March, which would be when I hope to head down to Tucson. The area around Tucson has had close to an inch in the last day, so it should be great this spring.

I've noticed a lot of cheat grass on the northern slopes around the local preserves. We're at an interesting point right now. We need more rain for a good wildflower display. On the other hand the cooler than average temps for the past few rains have created more grass than desired. Too much grass will choke out the wildflowers.

While the past two weeks have been delightfully warm the absence of moisture is disappointing

In the best of best years wildflowers would be popping up all over now and extend through April in the deserts. While the record year opportunities are slipping there is still plenty of hope for a great season. Unfortunately the current extended forecast looks bone dry

Eric snagged the first poppy of the year photo (WTG Eric!) and it looks healthy

joe bartels wrote:Unfortunately the current extended forecast looks bone dry

The weather models seem to be having great trouble with a cut-off low that will swing through here sometime between Thursday and Monday. It doesn't look like it will turn into anything impressive, but there should at least be some showers in the hills.

joe bartels wrote:Eric snagged the first poppy of the year photo (WTG Eric!) and it looks healthy

..with proof

I hope to see many more poppies and lupines and fairy dusters..................

I did see a few dusters out on the Ballantine Trail this week.

How are things looking out there? The Tucson area picked up a little light rain last week, are flowers looking good, and are we on track to have a good showing in February? It's got to be better than last year, but there was nothing last year.

hot spot: South Mountain
Jan 2001 Bajada
Mar 2008 Bajada
Mar 2011 high ridge near Ranger
Jan 2012 Alta

hopefully the Superstitions and Tucson are fairing better as they've had more rain

@joe bartels
Very isolated right now though. There are little groups of tiny yellow flowers and tiny purple flowers around, here and there, but my pics of those didn't turn out, had trouble with focus on camera. And then the single yellow flowers in my photoset, very isolated and lonely! ;)


http://hikearizona.com/photoset.php?ID=18387

I checked the rainlog totals and found that around Tucson, there were some decent 1/3 to 1/2 inch totals, mostly around the Pusch Ridge, but also out towards I-10, so that area ought to be good, and hopefully will be in February.

the hike up to Pusch Peak is a gem for wildflowers

While we have a chance of rain here in the east Mojave tomorrow, I'm not holding my breath.
Likely, it'll just blow like crazy and dry everything out all the more.

I really haven't been anywhere besides the White Tanks in quite some time. It was very green last week, but I don't recall a single bloom of anything. Bummer. Maybe there's a pinch of hope for anything if there's a good sprinkle in the next couple days?

We saw a few ( may 20-30) poppies , 1 lupine & some rather small fairy dusters along Whiskey West - Red Tanks Loop. Its green out there though -- should have a decent crop on the brittel bush, ocotillo & fairy dusters....poppies may be smaller & shorter bloom spans. Plants don't look too robust for big blooms. Need some rain .....

Here's a good article on where to see flowers this season...fairly predictable but good...

http://seethesouthwest.com/2507/top-10- ... n-arizona/

It's amazing we are having a fair season after two months with such little precipitation.

92 entries on the Wildflower Observation Map

Everyone is welcome to make an observation:
- post a triplog http://hikearizona.com/post-trip
- look for Wildflower Observation at the bottom of the final post screen