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Page Revised: 3/25/05 |
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Available Sites Circle X Ranch Cold Creek Area |
Date of Review 3/23/05 3/21/05 &
3/15/05 & 2/15/05 & 2/12/05 |
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See the photo gallery of
What’s Blooming at: http://www.nps.gov/samo/bloom/bloom.htm |
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The recent heavy rains
have damaged some of the Rec Area’s trails.
If you are not up to mud, stream crossings, and climbing into and out of
washouts you might want to call the park office to
check on trail conditions. |
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Circle X Ranch |
Backbone Trail below
Triunfo Peak |
Date: 3/23/05 |
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This trail is one of the newest
sections of the Backbone Trail has been crafted with much care (when the
trail was new someone did a good chunk of it in a wheelchair). As the trail
has aged grass is taking over in places and displacing the pioneering
wildflowers. The recent heavy rains have exposed rocks and caused several
slides including one place were it is necessary to leave the trail to get
around several massive boulders. The gentle slope of the trail encourages
water to pool on the trail making mud a frequent acquaintance after a
rain. The trail itself runs about six
miles from the Mishe Mokwa trailhead to Yerba Buena Road at about mile
9.10. I decided to come back on Yerba
Buena and make a loop of it, adding another two miles (and about ten flowers
to the count). Be careful if you
choose to do this since Yerba Buena has very little shoulder in some
places. On the weekends the heavier,
often fast traffic might make this not a good idea. Including the road, 96 different flowers
were seen blooming. However, much of
the trail is not heavily flowered so I have only given this trail a
“good” rating. Highlights include many Hollyleaf
Cherry, the deep blue Hairy-leaved Ceanothus, several different species of
Lupines, Prickly Phlox, Wild Morning Glory, masses of Blue Dicks, many Star
Lilies, Chia, frequent encounters with Parry's Phacelia, a beautiful
Fuchsia-flowered Gooseberry, several areas with Twining Snapdragon, Catalina
Mariposa Lily (along the road), some Blue Larkspur, Chocolate Lily, Chinese
Houses, Bush Monkey Flower, and a small creek surrounded by Red-skinned Onion. Also seen blooming were Annual Cat's
Ear, Popcorn Flower, California Buckwheat, Wild Cucumber Golden Yarrow,
Red-stem Filaree, White-stem Filaree, Annual Bedstraw, Narrow-leaved
Bedstraw, California Filago, Eucrypta, Mountain Mahogany, Hollyleaf Redberry,
Miner's Lettuce, Black Sage, Black Mustard (and three other unidentified
mustards), Elderberry, Scrub Oak, Coast Live Oak, Purple Nightshade, Sow
Thistle, Prickly Sow Thistle, Common Groundsel, Chamise, Greenbark Ceanothus,
Bigpod Ceanothus, Hedge Nettle, Fiesta Flower, Two-tone Everlasting,
California Everlasting, Canyon Sunflower, Bush Sunflower, Pacific Sanicle,
Southern Tauschia, Yellow Monkey Flower, Creek Monkey Flower, Narrow-leaved
Fringe-Pod, Pigmy Weed, Deerweed, Strigose Lotus, Coastal Lotus, Coulter's
Lupine, Stinging Lupine, Bush Lupine, Collar Lupine, Henbit, Windmill Pink,
Silver Puffs, Rock rose, Mustard Evening Primrose, Small Evening Primrose,
Woolly Blue-curls, Bleeding Heart, Wishbone Bush, Horehound, Spanish Broom,
Bigberry Manzanita, Bur Clover, Virgin's Bower, Skullcap, Rattlesnake Weed (Daucus pusillus),
Owl Clover, Shooting Stars, Yellow Pincushion, Coast Goldfields, Poison Oak,
Pineapple Weed, California Plantain, Woolly Lomatium, Field Clover,
California Poppy, Chaparral Current, Turkey pea, Wild Radish, Cheeseweed,
White Sweet Clover, Yellow Sweet Clover, and Blow Wives. (TV) |
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Naturalist's rating: Good |
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Circle X Ranch |
Mishe Mokwa and
Sandstone Peak Trails |
Date: 3/21/05 |
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This six mile loop is quite popular, and
while it often lags the nearby Canyon View trail in flower diversity, it more
than makes up in grandeur of views. If you don't want to do the whole six
mile loop and are mostly interested in flowers then the section from the
trailhead to split rock usually shows three-quarters of the flowers of the
whole loop. The trail is still muddy in places because of persistent springs
along the trail, but most of the mud is shallow or avoidable. On 3/21/05 we
hiked the Mishe Mokwa Trail primarily to view the chocolate lilies before
they were done for the season. We were not disappointed,
perhaps a dozen were blooming in the usual section along the trail. I noticed
that quite a few of the plants exhibited the cut stems where a lily should
have been. The trail was muddy is places, but readily traversed. Including
the grasses some 69 species were found in bloom almost all in good
quantities. A rating of good is assigned for this display. White and yellow
flowers made up two thirds of the blooms. The whites included chamise, Calif.
buckwheat, Catalina Mariposa lily, big pod ceanothus and lots of popcorn
flower. A single cliff aster but a fair amount of wooly lomatium and miner's
lettuce was seen. The usual morning glory, holly leaf red berry, eucrypta,
wild cucumber, and two-tone everlasting were also present. A very unusual
white bloom was found among a stand of Parry's phacelia, exhibiting the same
leaves and large exserted white anthers of the typical deep purple Parry's
phacelia. Perhaps this was Parry's ghost. Lace pod, holly leaf cherry,
virgin's bower, poison oak, Calif. saxifrage, Calif. everlasting, and sandbar
willow made up the rest of the white shaded blooms. The yellow/golden
colors were represented by bur clover, deerweed, golden yarrow, sow thistle,
strigose lotus, silver puff and a small evening primrose tentatively
identified as yellow sun cup. Also in this group were common groundsel,
yellow monkey flower, slender bedstraw, southern tauschia, snakeroot, Calif.
collarless poppy and bush monkey flower. Rounding off this list were both mustard and miniature evening primrose, canyon sunflower,
coast goldfield, and American winter cress. The red tinged colors were
represented only by wild sweet pea, owl's clover and chaparral current. The
violet/blue/purple color group contributed red stem filaree, black sage, blue
dick, wooly blue curl and chia. Also seen were stinging lupine, purple night
shade, chocolate lily, Parry's phacelia, and both dove and collar lupines. A
violet snapdragon, some globe gilia, hairy leaf ceanothus and blue larkspur
were also contributors. A strange green gall was found in several locations
on a hoary leaf ceanothus. Also an unusual sight was the mass of what is
believed to be spore cells rising above the thick moss with their little
round green capsule supported on a 1/4 to 1/2 inch stalk. Grasses are
plentiful and they included slender oats, Madrid brome, foxtail barley,
golden top, red brome, blue grass, soft brome, and broom sedge grass. Some
less frequently seen bird's foot fern was also seen. (RWM) |
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Naturalist's rating: Good |
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Charmlee Wilderness
Park |
Fire Trail |
Date: 3/17/05 |
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Good wildflowers are blooming here,
but you’ll need to find your own way around the park. There are no maps
available and signage is very poor. As you cross from the bathrooms into the
picnic area, take the trail to the left. This trail takes you into the area
where the burn was two years ago. While flowers are fair at first, once you
get into the burn area, you’ll find patches ranging from good to very
good. We counted more than 50 species in bloom. There are lots of variety and
good coverage. Highlights are fields of long beaked storks bill (non native,
but very nice), along with fire followers like violet (twining) snapdragon,
branching, caterpillar and Parry’s phacelias. We went to the cistern, then retraced our steps.
(SB) |
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Naturalist's rating: Good
to very good |
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Nicholas Flat |
Decker School Rd Trail
to Pond |
Date: 3/17/05 |
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In a rainy year, this short, shady
trail reminds you more of central and northern California with its dense greenery
and profusion of miner’s lettuce, canyon sunflower, bedstraw,
hummingbird sage, and snakeroot. But most was yet to bloom—give it a
few more weeks. Once the trail opened out into hillside meadows, blue-eyed
grass was hiding in the tall annual grass, and a few chocolate lilies and
shooting stars lingered. Other notables among the 25 flowering species
included clumps of coast paintbrush, fiddlenecks, golden yarrow, greenbark
ceanothus, cucumber, and windmill pinks. With the pond brimming, two pairs of
sharp ring-necked ducks dabbled among the water plants, soon to be heading
north. (JG) |
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Naturalist's rating: Fair |
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Leo Carrillo State
Beach |
Loop Trail to Ocean
Overlook |
Date: 3/17/05 |
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This 2-mile trail is always a surprise
especially if you hit it at peak season—which is starting right now. 60
species were counted with many profuse, yet often seen in just small pockets over a
short distance. Since the trail provides good elevation gain and slopes face
many sun angles, micro-habitats are provided for plants with special needs.
Of particular note was the high percentage of native bunch grasses along the
whole trail, mostly nassella pulchra
(needlegrass). Also continuous were bush sunflowers,
morning glory, deerweed, mustard evening primrose, popcorn, sticky monkey
flower, black sage, narrow-leaved bedstraw, wishbone bush, Parry’s
phacelia, blue dicks, coast paintbrush, and locoweed. Those seen in pockets
included mariposa lilies (along the first half-mile), scarlet buglers
(middle-mile), 5 lupines—bush, bajada,
collar, foothill, and stinging (in pockets), chia sage, bladder pod,
prostrate spurge, coast lotus, Indian pinks, and CA plantain. A GREAT mix—get on out there. It should be good through
early April. (JG) |
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Naturalist's rating: Very
Good-Excellent |
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Circle X Ranch |
Grotto Trail |
Date: 3/15/05 |
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This popular trail is dry except for a
few muddy patches that are easy to avoid. Getting to the grotto itself is a
little different than in the past because the heavy rains have shifted the
stream bed a bit and several sections are still deeply flooded. It is not
wise to climb in the greenery near the creek or travel some of the new social
trails because of the poison oak. Highlights include Blue Dicks,
Nightshades, Hollyleaf Cherry, Chinese Houses, Fiesta Flower, Blue Larkspur,
California Saxifrage, Star Lily, Bush Monkey Flower, Catalina Mariposa Lily,
Parry's Phacelia, Crimson Pitcher Sage, Hedge Nettle, Blue-eyed Grass, and
Wishbone Bush. Also seen were Red-stem Filaree,
White-stem Filaree, Yellow Sweet Clover, Black Sage, Black Mustard, Wild
Cucumber, California Everlasting, Two-tone Everlasting, Golden Yarrow,
California Buckwheat, Deerweed, Wild Morning Glory, Mule Fat, Bur Clover,
Annual Cat's Ear, Bush Sunflower, Canyon Sunflower, Small-flowered Evening
Primrose, Mustard Evening Primrose, Pineapple Weed, Dove Lupine, Strigose
Lotus, Windmill Pink, Telegraph Weed, Common Fiddleneck, White Nightshade,
Purple Nightshade, Climbing Bedstraw, Annual Bedstraw, Narrow-leaved
bedstraw, Curly Dock, Pacific Sanicle, Poison Oak, Common Groundsel,
Eucrypta, Sow Thistle, Thread Stem, California Filago, Black Walnut, Sow
Thistle, Hollyleaf Redberry, Miner's Lettuce, Fringe pod, Common Chickweed,
Winter Vetch, Spring Vetch, Slender Pectocarya, Chamise, Mountain Mahogany,
Southern Tauschia, Greenbark Ceanothus, Popcorn Flower, Wild Sweet Pea, Sugar
Bush, and Scarlet Pimpernel. All told about 70 species in bloom. (TV) |
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Naturalist's rating: Good |
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Cold Creek Area |
Upper Stunt High Trail |
Date: 3/14/05 |
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Watch for the trailhead for this obscure
trail on Stunt Road at the equestrian crossing road sign. Views of
surrounding rocks are excellent as you descend the one mile trail. Although
the manzanitas blooms are just about finished, there are still some in bloom
plus about a dozen other species such as chamise and wooly blue curls which
make the walk worthwhile. As you finish, cross Stunt Road and continue down
the road a short distance to the Stunt Ranch area to continue your walk onto
the Stunt High Trail. (SB) |
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Naturalist's rating: Good |
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Cold Creek Area |
Stunt High Trail |
Date: 3/14/05 |
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Parking for this trailhead is on
Stunt Road about 1 mile in from Mulholland Highway. Across the street is the entrance
to the Calabasas Fire Road. We parked here and drove another car up Stunt
Road where this trailhead starts at the telephone pole at the upper end of
Stunt Ranch, UCLA Reserve parking. The two mile trail descends through the
Stunt Ranch property to the creek where we turned right to continue along the
creek back to the lower parking lot. Lots of flowers are in bloom here. We
counted 35 species spaced along the trail with a good variety, blue dicks,
eucrypta, wild cucumber, nightshade and mariposa lilies. By far the highlights of this walk were
the masses of red maids, fiddleneck and owl’s clover blooming in the
meadow in the center of the walk and the baby blue eyes blooming along the
bottom portion of the trail along the creek. (SB) |
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Naturalist's rating: Good |
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Circle X Ranch |
The Backbone Trail |
Date: 3/12/05 |
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This hike was the fourth of the NPS 2004-2005
Backbone Trail Series. We will be hiking the entire Backbone Trail, one part
each month and reporting on the flowers seen. This hike was from the
Mulholland Trailhead near Circle X Ranch East to Kanan Road: a distance of
6.8 miles. The segments hiked included the newest section of the trail
running from Mulholland Highway to Encinal Canyon Road, Trancas Canyon Trail,
Edison Road to Yellow Gate on Encinal Canyon Road, Encinal Canyon Road to
Zuma Fire Road, and Zuma Fire Road to Upper Zuma Section to Kanan Road. The
weather started out with a low overcast, clearing off to sunny just as we got
to the greatest climb of the day. We recorded seeing 75 species in
bloom, with a couple additional ones in question. You probably have read in the newspaper
that many seldom seen flowers are appearing as a result of the extensive
rains. That was our experience, seeing Indian Warrior along the Upper Zuma
section and a Violet Snapdragon along the new section just below Mulholland
Highway. The flowers are more numerous this
year and generally larger in size. The normally shy Twining Snapdragon was
plentiful on the newest section of trail. The recently disturbed soil
encourages many of the fire follower species such as the Parry’s
Phacelia. At least four varieties of Lupine were blooming: Succulent, Bush,
Stinging and Dove. This new section of
trail was constructed through some old chaparral and the lichens are
spectacular, but that is another story. Eucrypta is plentiful in the damp,
shaded area. Descending into Trancas Canyon we saw many Milkmaids and Pacific
Sanicle, and as we climbed back up Mustard Evening Primrose and Small Flower
Evening Primrose were plentiful. California Poppies are spectacular along the
Zuma Fire Road. Prickly Phlox added to
the scene as we viewed the surprising volume of water at the Upper Zuma
Waterfall. About the midpoint of the Upper Zuma Canyon section we saw a
number of Indian Warrior. Nearing Kanan we saw a Western Redberry and an
awesome display of Bush Lupine. Almost at the end of the hike was a grouping
of delicate Lace Pod. Rating is very good. We have to leave
some rating room for even better displays in the next month or so. (BE and TV) |
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Naturalist's rating: Very
Good |
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Peter Strauss Ranch |
Peter Strauss Trail |
Date: 3/11/05 |
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This small unit, with its short Peter
Strauss Trail, is perfect for a picnic and an afternoon stroll. It is also more
developed than many of the other units so there are more non-natives and
fewer examples of dramatic wildflower displays. There are, however, planted
gardens near the house and lawn which contain interesting examples of
cultivated flowers. Wildflower highlights include
Milkmaids, Wild Sweet Pea, Purple Nightshade, Crimson Pitcher Sage,
Buck-brush, and Angel's Gilia. Also seen blooming were Chickweed,
Pacific Sanicle, Annual Bedstraw, Celery, Miners Lettuce, Wild Cucumber,
Knotted Hedge Parsley, Hollyleaf Redberry, Bur Clover, both Red and
White-stem Filaree, Fuchsia-flowered Gooseberry, Mountain Mahogany, Henbit,
Spring Vetch, and Weedy Oxalis. (TV) |
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Naturalist's rating: Fair |
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Point Mugu State Park |
La Jolla Canyon Trail |
Date: 3/10/05 |
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On 10 March, 2005 we hiked the La
Jolla Canyon Trail from PCH to the pond and trail campsite in the valley. The
promise noted about two months ago is being fulfilled along this trail. We identified
79 species, including the grasses, that were in
bloom with good quantities of most of them. I would rate this
a very good and hope that it gets even better. Immediately onto the
trail we spotted bush monkey flower, cliff aster, giant coreopsis, bush sunflower and bladder pod. Amongst the many grasses
noted were ripgut brome, Madrid brome, golden top,
red brome, slender oats, fountain grass, and Dallas grass. Proceeding along
the trail we encountered red-stem filaree, morning glory, S. Calif. locoweed,
sour clover, golden yarrow, sow thistle, and even poison oak displaying their
flowers. Bush mallow was seen as well as an unusual lavender datura. Tree
tobacco, mule fat, deerweed and bur clover were also present. Yucca was seen
on the hillsides and both two-tone and velvet leaf
everlasting were blooming. Coast paint brush provided the only red
color, but several lupines were present including hillside, dove, stinging
and Coulter. Blue dicks were plentiful and a few Calif. buckwheat. The
fern-leaf phacelia, mustard evening primrose, sweet fennel and pop corn
flower added to the trail side bouquets. Only a couple of Parry's phacelia
were out, but the wishbone bush was plentiful as was the hedge mustard and
wild sweet pea. We also saw Calif sagebrush, chaparral current, green bark
ceanothus and wild cucumber. A number of the Calif. walnut
were displaying their catkins and both annual and slender bedstraw
were blooming. A lot of the rigid hedge nettle were
in flower as well as the southern tauschia. Common groundsel, eucrypta,
purple nightshade, western wallflower, fiesta flower and canyon sun flower
were also present. The first Calif figwort was seen as was snake root,
miner's lettuce, fuchsia flowered gooseberry, big pod ceanothus, sticky
phacelia and lemonade berry bush. A couple of white nightshade plants were
blooming and western ragweed, scarlet pimpernel, chamise, and wooly aster
were also found. A single star lily and several Catalina Mariposa lilies and a faded
group of shooting stars were found near the pond at the turnaround point of
the hike. On the return trip horehound and ashy leafed buckwheat were spotted
that we had missed on the way up. Also seen on the return leg were cheese
weed, dandelion and London rocket.
(RWM) |
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Naturalist's rating: Very
Good |
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Zuma/Trancas Canyons |
Backbone Trail between Latigo and Kanan |
Date: 3/10/05 |
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This short section of the Backbone
trail is only 2.3 miles and consequently is easily done as a there-and-back hike.
As the number of blooming flowers increases it become more difficult to
select highlights, but they would have to include Bush Poppy, Purple
Nightshade, Milkmaids, Indian Paintbrush, Bush Lupine, Wild Sweet Pea, Blue
Dicks, Globe Gilia, Crimson Pitcher Sage, Blue-eyed Grass, and both Parry's
and Sticky Phacelia. Also seen were at least four
additional species of Lupines including Dove, Collar, Succulent and Coulter's
Lupine, California Filago, Popcorn Flower, Black Mustard, Caterpillar Phacelia,
Chamise, both Bush and Canyon Sunflower, Golden Yarrow, both Greenbark and
Bigpod Ceanothus, Eucrypta, Miners Lettuce, Pacific Sanicle, Wild Morning
Glory, Wild Cucumber, Bush Monkey Flower, California Peony, California
Buckwheat, Elderberry, Greenbark Ceanothus, both Red and White-stem Filaree,
Shiny Lomatium, Scrub Oak, Annual and Climbing Bedstraw, Hollyleaf Redberry,
Poison Oak, Black Walnut, Bur-clover, Common Fiddleneck, Common Groundsel,
Deerweed, and Two-tone Everlasting. All told about 50 species in bloom. (TV) |
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Naturalist's rating: Good |
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Rocky Oaks |
Loop Trail to Grotto |
Date: 3/7/05 |
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We just had a quick go-round on the
southern-most trail to grotto area, but viewed some of the most robust CA
poppies and chocolate lilies ever. The lilies were tucked under some chaparral
in a soggy section, with 2-foot flower stalks and multiple wide blooms. Some
of the other dozen species included a less common lupine (bajada?),
canyon sunflower, milkmaids, popcorn and star lily. (JG) |
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Naturalist's rating: Good |
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Rancho Sierra Vista |
Satwiwa loop |
Date: 3/6/05 |
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The meadow areas of loop are
overgrown with mature, non-native grasses and grains and the usual mix of
mustard, radish and purple vetch flowers. However, the hillsides and upper
part of loop had a good selection of native blooms including the
first-in-area windmill and Indian pinks, chamise, blue-eyed grass, black sage
and toyon. Other notables included bevies of blue
dicks, shooting stars, hedge nettle, fiddlenecks and a patch of johnny-jump-ups (violets). All told,
about 30 species with more popping all the time. (JG) |
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Naturalist's rating: Good |
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Paramount Ranch |
Various Trails |
Date: 3/5/2005 |
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Coyote Trail
(fair) - Creek alongside trail is currently flowing, adding sound and beauty
to the first section of this short trail. Owls
clover, fiddleneck, and blue dicks are common at the beginning and a few
wooly blue curls, California poppies, and big pod ceanothus are blooming
towards the connection with the Hacienda Trail. Trail has ruts due to rain
flowing down the center of the trail. Lower Hacienda
Trail (good) - Trail is muddy with standing water in the center of the trail but
is passable. Small patches of Johnny Jump-ups, California poppies and vetch
are common. A couple varieties of lupine are just starting to bloom. This
trail gives an opportunity to see rolling hills of green grass, dotted with
patches of yellow and orange. Backdrop Trail
(fair) - Several variety of blue bloomers can be
found, chia, prickly lupine, blue dicks, greenbark ceanothus, Parry's
phacelia, and blue larkspur. Other species that can be discovered are
windmill pink, prickly phlox, and bigpod ceanothus. Trail has muddy sections.
Note: This trail connects to the Bwana Trail which has standing water on the
trail and is very muddy at this time. Flowers along the Bwana trail are
poor. (KL) |
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Naturalist's rating: Fair
to Good |
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Cold Creek Preserve
Area |
Various Trails |
Date: 3/3/05 |
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On March 3, 2005
we hiked along a couple of adjacent trails off Stunt Road. In the Cold Creek
Preserve. The 1 1\4 mile round trip trail along upper Cold Creek was first explored
and then the Calabasas Motorway to Calabasas Peak was traveled for about 3
miles round trip. Including the grasses, 55 species were found to be blooming
rating a good. The trail along Cold Creek was muddy in a few places, but
readily traversable. The babbling of the brook was approaching a roar as the
volume of water flowing is still considerable. Seen along this trail was red
stem filaree, greenbark ceanothus, hedge mustard and several types and sizes
of toadstools and lots of lush moss. Golden yarrow, wild cucumber, blue
dicks, pineapple weed and bur clover were plentiful. Purple nightshade, a few
canyon sunflowers, and wild sweet peas were also in bloom. Numerous milkmaids
were present and a lot of snakeroot, but only a few in full bloom. Miner's lettuce was plentiful and lush and a few
baby blue eyes were spotted. Hairy leaved ceanothus was displaying its blue
flowers as was black sage. Some Venus hair fern was seen as was a fair amount
of two-tone everlasting. The usual morning glory was in bloom as was the less
commonly seen mustard evening primrose. The strigose lotus, windmill pink and
London rocket were also discovered. Some of the grasses displaying their new
inflorescences were slender oats, ripgut brome,
wild oats, red brome and Madrid brome. On the trail up to
Calabasas Peak several lupines were present: Coulter's, collared, dove,
hillside and in profuse quantity the beautiful red/purple stinging lupine. In
several large stands along the trail were popcorn flower and a few fiddlenecks.
Amongst the phacelias seen were the sticky phacelia, fern-leaf, and fiesta
flower. A number of wishbone bushes, bush sunflower and elderberry were also
exhibiting flowers. A few bush monkey flowers were present and a lot of
Chilean clover. A single collarless Calif. poppy and several prickly phlox
were also in bloom. The only red was a few brilliant coast paint brushes. The
fragrant and brilliant yellow of the Spanish broom was sprinkled along the
way. Black mustard, Calif. buckwheat, coast live oak, big-pod ceanothus, and
sour clover completed the floral bouquet for the day. (RWM) |
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Naturalist's rating: Good |
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Malibu Creek State Park |
High Road to Visitor
Center |
Date: 3/1/05 |
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Flowers are starting
to bloom nicely here, but you have to look carefully. Take the path marked
'back country trails' (Crags Road) and see colorful displays of wildflowers
emerging from the grasses: small golden yellow bur clover flowers, blue balls
of globe gilia, baby blue eyes, reddish purple balls of owl's clover and
darker blue curls of phacelia mixed with the white stars of wild cucumber
vines and the occasional violet-purple whorls of chia. Highlights are the contrasting colors of
the flowers and the occasional willow trees covered with white fluff. Taking
the high road when the road splits (the low road is not
passable) brings you under the oaks to the bridge. Views of the creek
are excellent, in fact, Malibu Creek is so big it
seems more like Malibu River. Frogs are croaking, Sara's Orange Tip
butterflies are flying and swallows are swooping. Spring flowers are expected
to get better each week. (SB) |
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Naturalist's rating: Fair |
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Rocky Oaks |
Various trails |
Date: 2/13/05 |
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Winter
storms have filled the pond at Rocky Oaks to the highest level seen in years.
The picnic table that was formerly beside the water is now in the water which
did not seem to bother the ducks floating on the pond. Most of the trails
were pretty muddy and only a few flowers were starting to bloom. The
highlights were seeing several large buckbrush
(ceanothus cuneatus) in full bloom and several giant chocolate lilies. These
lily plants that are generally less than a foot tall were two feet tall and
just about to bloom. The area will definitely be worth a trip back to see
those blooms. (SB) |
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Naturalist's rating: Just
beginning |
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Zuma/Trancas Canyons |
Bonsall Trailhead |
Date: 2/13/05 |
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The Bonsall Trailhead for Zuma Canyon
Trail was re-opened this week. A rough new trail now bypasses the washed out
section. We checked out the by pass and found many things already in full
bloom here. Chaparral sunflower has large burst of yellow flowers, a few
elderberry are starting as are deerweed, mustard, and wild cucumber. As soon
as the new section joins the old trail, the trail becomes very muddy. We
re-traced our steps and enjoyed good views of the new streambed and flowing
water. (SB) |
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Naturalist's rating: Just
beginning |
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Zuma/Trancas Canyons |
Newton Trailhead |
Date: 2/13/05 |
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Most people are taking this trail to
see the Newton Waterfall, and as they walk down the trail beside the north facing
rock face, you can certainly hear the waterfall. You may also notice the
beautiful greenbark ceanothus bushes and wild cucumber vines, but unless you
make a point to look down, you will pass by some of the most interesting small
plants seen in some time. These small plants, mosses, lichens and ferns are
beautiful, delicate and well worth looking at. Little white flowers of
California lace pod and shepherd’s purse stand out against the
background of dark rock. Lichens, mosses, and ferns (goldback
fern, bird’s foot fern, and coastal wood fern) look like a tropical
rain forest. Interspersed among them are larkspurs (delphinium patens),
miner’s lettuce, saxifrage and small flowered meconella,
a quite small white flower with six petals that is a member of the poppy
family. Virgin’s bower and canyon sunflower are ready to bloom, but not
out yet. (SB) |
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Naturalist's rating: Just
beginning |
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Circle X Ranch |
Canyon View Trail |
Date: 2/12/05 |
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This trail, running from the
Sandstone Peak trailhead to the campgrounds passes through several ecosystems
and consequently often has a wide variety of flowers represented. The trail
drains well and is mostly dry and pleasant going even a few hours after a
heavy rain, although the grass is now getting high enough in places to get
shoes wet if done immediately after a rain. As it crosses a rock-bottomed
creek and follows above the West Fork of the Arroyo Sequit it is frequently
serenaded by the sound of running and falling water. Be sure to take a quick
side trip of a few hundred yards and walk part way down the Grotto trail just
below the small falls. This short “flower alley” is worth any
flower enthusiast’s time. Highlights include masses of Blue Dicks,
a large patch of Globe Gila, a small but dense patch of Skullcap, California
Peony, frequent scatterings of Wishbone Bush, many Wild Cucumber, Hollyleaf
Cherry, masses of Greenbark Ceanothus, what my wife and I call “The
Valley of the Blue Curls,” a nice spray of Virgin's Bower, Shooting
Stars, both Purple and White Nightshade, both Succulent and Stinging Lupine,
Blue Larkspur, several Collarless California Poppy, a few Owl Clover, and a
single Parry's Phacelia. It is always fun to see a new flower for the first
time and for me it was the Twining Snapdragon. Completing the list we saw Wild
Morning Glory, Common Fiddleneck, Popcorn Flower, Mule Fat, Miners Lettuce,
Black Sage, Common Groundsel, Black Mustard, Woolly Aster, Henbit, Eucrypta,
California Black Walnut, California Laurel, Mustard Evening Primrose,
Narrow-leaved Fringe-pod, Golden Yarrow, Yellow Monkey Flower, Chaparral
Current, Hollyleaf Redberry, California Saxifrage, Pineapple Weed, Mountain
Mahogany, Elderberry, Western Sycamore, Deerweed, Pacific Sanicle, Telegraph
Weed, Small Evening Primrose, California Buckwheat, Strigose Lotus, both Bush
and Canyon Sunflower, both Yellow Sweet and Bur Clover, both Red-stem and
White-stem Filaree, both Shiny and Woolly Lomatium, Felt-leaved, California,
and Two-toned Everlasting, and Narrow-leaved, Climbing and Annual Bedstraw.
We also saw several examples of Poison Oak in bloom -- a good reason to stay
safe by staying on the trail. All told a count of 65 different species in
bloom but since many have not yet really hit their stride we can't give as
high a rating as we otherwise might. (TV) |
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Naturalist's rating: Good |
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Leo Carrillo / Arroyo Sequit |
Nicholas Flat / Arroyo Sequit Loop
Trail |
Date: 2/3/05 |
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On 2/3/05 we hiked two areas just a few
miles apart, Nicholas Flat and Arroyo Sequit. We first entered the trail off
Decker School Road and made a clockwise loop around the Nicholas Flat Area.
We found the large pond to be full but extremely muddy, but with none of the
water plants yet revived. We did find purple nightshade, wild cucumber, wild
sweet peas and even some Vinca major blooming.
Miner's lettuce was plentiful and snake root was starting to flower. A few
fuchsia-flowered gooseberries, poison oak and hedge mustard also were in
flower. Greenback ceanothus, both white and blue blossomed were conspicuously
positioned along the way. In the grassy areas many fiddlenecks and some
horehound were blooming along with slender oats and Calif. everlasting. Red
stem filaree and blue dick were also present in the grasslands mostly. Some
arroyo willow were sporting their catkins and the
bur clover held aloft its tiny yellow flower. Some hold-over Western ragweed
was seen and the canyon sunflower was starting to bloom. Scarlet pitcher
sage, bush monkey flower, black sage, deer weed, bush sunflowers and morning
glory were also encountered. The masses of shooting stars continue to delight
as does the coast paintbrush. Some hog fennel was spotted as well as popcorn flower,
dandelion, several yucca, chaparral current and
bigpod ceanothus and the tiny common groundsel. The trail was dry but deeply
rutted with loose stones from the recent rains, requiring more attention to
the trail than one would really like. This loop is about 3.5 miles and the
bloom rating is still fair with about 22 species found to be in bloom. The second part of the hike was over
the 1.5 mile loop at nearby Arroyo Sequit. Many of the same plants seen at
Nicholas Flat were also seen on this part of the hike, but additionally wooly
lomatium, holly-leaf redberry, Calif. peony, and Bermuda buttercup. Also seen
were gum plant, prickly phlox, chamise (budding), and shiny lomatium.
Two-tone everlasting and felt-leaf everlasting were found as were elderberry,
telegraph weed, and eucrypta. The prize, for me, was several Indian warriors,
the first that I have found. The bloom rating was fair and the two creek
crossings which had been washed out were found to be significant obstacles
since they were sheer eight foot banks that someone had hacked some foot
holds in to aid in descending and ascending. (RWM) |
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Naturalist's rating: Fair |
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Rancho Sierra Vista / |
Wendy and Upper
Sycamore Canyon Trails |
Date: 1/25/05 |
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On Jan. 25, 2005 we hiked down the
Wendy Trail and made a 5.5 mile loop around the area returning from the South
along the Upper Sycamore Canyon Trail with a stop at the Waterfall before returning
to the trail head on Portrero Canyon Rd. The
weather was cool and comfortable, the trail dry in
most places and the flowering species observed numbered 54 warranting a good
rating for the first time this year. Across the grasslands the wild radish
dominated with colors of lavender, lavender and white, white, yellow and rose
observed. The usual hedge mustard was present, but the less frequently seen
hog fennel and Johnny-jump-ups were also seen. Blue dick, big-pod ceanothus,
morning glory, deerweed and a single rose in a large stand of wild rose were
observed along the way. Red stem filaree and quite a few shooting stars were
on display as well. Amongst the grasses in flower were both wild and slender
oats and foxtail barley. Bush lupine were seen as
well as stinging lupine. Several small stands of fiddleneck were in bloom as
was the arroyo willow. Other trees blooming were an
eucalyptus globulus, Calif. laurel and what
appeared to be a domestic apricot along the trail to the waterfall. Bush
sunflower and canyon sunflower were passed as were three of the everlasting:
Calif., velvet leaf, and two-toned.
The ubiquitous telegraph weed, common groundsel and some coyote bush
and ragweed were still hanging around from last year. Horehound and black
sage were both starting to bloom and the green-bark ceanothus was thick on
the hillsides with a few adding their bouquet along the trail. The first
popcorn flower, wishbone bush, and golden yarrow for this year were starting
to bloom. The sow thistle and wild cucumber were still blooming as well as a
couple of wooly asters and purple sage. There was a lot of wild sweet pea
seen and a few scarlet pitcher sage blooming. Holly
leaf redberry, and chaparral current and poison oak displayed their blooms in
various locations. Seen for the first time this year was miner's lettuce and
fiesta flower. Virgin's bower was blooming wildly as it crawled over the
adjacent chaparral. Milkmaid and blue larkspur and eucrypta was spotted along the trail to the waterfall. Also seen in
passing were some bur clover and Calif. collarless poppy. The water fall was pouring copious
quantities of water down its cascade and the babble of the running water in
the stream was a constant sound to be heard throughout the hike up the Upper
Sycamore Canyon trail. Even the accursed "macadam road" was a
pleasant walk since we chose to go down it and hike back up via the Upper
Sycamore Canyon Trail. (RWM) |
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Naturalist's rating: Good |
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Santa Monica
Mountains National Recreation Area 401 West
Hillcrest Drive Ph.
805-370-2301 web. www.nps.gov/samo |
Thank
you for your
contributions: Sheila
Braden |
If you
would like to contribute to the wildflower report: e-mail: or phone
him at 310-457-6408 |
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