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Page Revised: 7/8/05 |
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Available Sites Point Mugu State Park |
Date of Review 7/1/05, 6/30/05 |
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What's Blooming photo
gallery: www.nps.gov/samo/bloom/bloom.htm |
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Point Mugu State Park |
Serrano Canyon and Big
Sycamore Canyon Trails |
Date: 7/1/05 |
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This report begins in the Serrano
Valley and follows a little used trail through Serrano Canyon, down the last mile
of Big Sycamore Canyon to the Pacific Coast Highway. I hiked up Sycamore
Canyon to Serrano Valley to a destination and the flowers were so good I
decided to record them on the return, so this report begins in Serrano
Valley. The out and back distance from the day parking lot at Sycamore Canyon
is 7.6 miles. Seventy one species were identified. Do be cautious of poison
oak on this trail. Beginning in the grassland were Bush
Mallow, Cliff Aster, California Buckwheat, Chicory, Black Mustard, Slender
Tarweed, and Slender Aster. In small clumps of chaparral, becoming denser as
the trails dips into the canyon were Laurel Sumac, Chemise, Deerweed, Morning
Glory, and Black Sage. There are stands of Toyon with limbs bending, heavy
with flowers. One Golden Star was seen among an abundance of Purple Sage,
Bird’s Beak, Bush Monkey Flower, and Narrow Leaved Milkweed; and less
common are California Fuchsia and Horehound. Creek Monkey Flowers are at most
of the many stream crossings, with Scarlet Monkey Flower much less frequent.
At the upper end of the canyon are many Heart Leaf Penstemon, Plummer’s
Mariposa Lilies, and Scarlet Larkspur. A new sighting for me turned out to be
the rare Cream Bush. Only one of the largest plants still had blossoms, but
there is a sizable distribution along several hundred feet of trail.
Farewell-to-Spring, Honeysuckle, and Indian Pink are distributed along most
of the trail. Bright red Rose Hips now outnumber Wild Rose blooms. A few
Humboldt Lilies are still blooming along a section of trail where the sound
of the rushing stream is muffled by many ferns on both sides of the trail.
Also seen in the canyon were Yucca, Twiggy Wreath Plant, Chalk Live-Forever,
Lance Leaved Live-Forever, Fleabane Aster, and Hedge Nettle. Turning down Big
Sycamore Canyon, the trail is lined with Poison Hemlock, Elderberry, large
Datura blossoms, Castor Bean, and Wild Elderberry. (BE) |
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Naturalist's rating: Very Good |
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Rancho Sierra Vista
& Point Mugu State Park |
Upper Sycamore Canyon Trail |
Date: 6/30/05 |
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We hiked a loop beginning at Rancho
Sierra Vista on the Satwiwa Loop Trail and headed out to the waterfalls in
Upper Sycamore Canyon. From there we headed down the Upper Sycamore Canyon
Trail to the Sycamore Canyon Fire Road and then back to the parking lot at
RSV, perhaps a total of four miles. About seventy five different species were
encountered, but because many are of the weedy variety or only lightly
represented we only give a rating of good. Highlights include Slender Tarweed,
Turkey Mullein, Spanish Clover, Narrow-leaved Milkweed, Gum Plant, Bush
Mallow, Morning Glory, Soap Plant, Long-beaked Filaree, California Poppy,
Laurel Sumac, Toyon, Elderberry, Cliff Aster, Twiggy Wreath Plant, a good
showing of Plummer's Mariposa Lily, a couple Humboldt Lily,
Farewell-to-Spring, Elegant Clarkia, Heart-leaved Penstemon, Scarlet
Larkspur, Bush Monkey Flower, Scarlet Monkey Flower, Round-leaved Boykinia,
Yarrow, Bush Lupine, California Wild Rose, Fish's Milkwort, Snowberry,
Pitcher Sage, Crimson Pitcher Sage, Leather Root, Fleabane Aster, Branching
Phacelia, Large-flowered Phacelia, Bird's Beak, and Indian Pink. (TV) |
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Naturalist's rating: Good |
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Malibu Creek State Park |
Miscellaneous trails
near the main entrance |
Date: 6/28/05 |
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We hiked several of the trails
between the main entrance parking lot and Century Lake including the whole
length of the beautiful Mott Adobe trail. As elsewhere wildflowers are on the
wane, but the appearance of some of the summer bloomers reminds us that there
are still plenty of reasons to get and enjoy the view. About ninety species
were encountered, but because many are of the weedy variety or only lightly
represented we only give a rating of good, Twiggy Wreath Plant, Slender Tarweed,
California Wild Rose, Elderberry, Purple Clarkia, Elegant Clarkia,
Farewell-to-Spring, Vinegar Weed, Narrow-leaved Milkweed, Bush mallow, Annual
Paintbrush, Cattail, Speedwell, Wand Mullein, Turkey Mullein, Cliff Aster,
White Sage, Purple Sage, Golden Yarrow, Morning Glory, Turkish Rugging,
Caterpillar Phacelia, Sticky Phacelia, Branching Phacelia, Sticky
False-gilia, Chaparral Honeysuckle, Foothill Penstemon, Heart-leaved
Penstemon, Gourd, Gum Plant, Soap Plant, Datura, Woolly Blue Curls, Fleabane
Aster, Matilija Poppy, Toyon, Wild Heliotrope, Long-beaked Filaree, Indian
Milkweed, Chalk-leaved Live-forever, Lance-leaved Live-forever, California
Fuchsia, and Water Cress. (TV). |
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Naturalist's rating: Good |
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Circle X Ranch |
Grotto Trail |
Date: 6/18/05 |
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We started from the group campground
and walked down to the Grotto and back, a round trip of about 2.5 miles. The
trail has been recently brushed so it was a pleasure to walk. Now heading
into summer we were pleased to see some of our favorite flowers including
Plummer's Mariposa Lily, Humboldt Lily, Bush Mallow, Heart-leaved Penstemon,
Scarlet Monkey Flower, Fleabane Aster, and Scarlet Larkspur. Lately I've been
seeing California Fuchsia in several places here at Circle X and was pleased
to see they are beginning to bloom on the Grotto trail as well. All told we
encountered almost 70 species in bloom. Other highlights include California
Wild Rose, Soap Plant, Bush Monkey Flower, Yellow Monkey Flower, Elegant
Clarkia, Farewell-to-Spring, Toyon, Woolly Blue Curls, Elderberry, White
Nightshade, Morning Glory, Golden Yarrow, Golden Stars, Indian Pink, Fish's
Milkwort, Bird's Beak, Western Thistle, and even a holdout Catalina Mariposa
Lily. (TV) |
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Naturalist's rating: Very Good |
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Circle X Ranch |
Mishe Mokwa Trail |
Date: 6/17/05 |
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On 6/17/05 we hiked the Mishe Mokwa
trail primarily to see the reported rein orchids. We missed them on the way
out to Split Rock, but found two of them on the return trip. It was well
worth the trip in the all day drizzle to see them. A very light drizzle
persisted all day, but the moisture on the trail side vegetation is what
soaked us. Some 68 species were found to be blooming and because of the
quality and general quantity of each a very good rating is bestowed on this
trail. It seemed to be the day of the monocots which are frequently so
colorful in display. Amongst these as well as the rein orchid were Plummer's
Mariposa lily, yellow Mariposa lily, golden star, yucca, peninsular onion,
Humboldt lily, and soap plant. Seven or eight of the Humboldt lily plants
were spotted along the way, some sporting as many as five blooms plus more
buds. Starting at the eastern most
trailhead off Yerba Buena Rd. we encountered hedge mustard, golden yarrow,
Calif. buckwheat, purple Clarkia, yellow star thistle, chamise and Calif
filago. A large quantity of Turkish rugging was present and
still some wooly blue curls, black sage, birds beak, slimy monkey
flower and slender tarweed. The laurel sumac is nearing full bloom
accompanied by bush mallow, bristly popcorn flower, scarlet larkspur, sticky
madia, lance-leaf live-forever, bush monkey flower and toyon. Continuing
along the trail we saw Calif. everlasting, morning glory, Calif. chicory,
Parry's phacelia, white pincushion, yellow monkey flower, a lot of white
pitcher sage and speckled Clarkia. Cliff aster, red stem filaree, blow wives,
and heartleaf penstemon were also seen. A hairy leaf ceanothus was still
blooming and purple night shade, small flowered fiddleneck, imbricate
phacelia, canyon sunflower and several chalk live-forevers
provided accompaniment. After the first Humboldt lily we
spotted chaparral honeysuckle, bush lupine, owl's clover, gold field, narrow
leaf bedstraw, scarlet monkey flower, vervain, windmill pink, wild
strawberry, curly dock, wild rose, horehound, American winter cress and
elderberry all in the vicinity of split rock. We attempted to continue on to
balanced rock, but the condition of that trail and the moisture on the brush
overgrowing it discouraged us from proceeding further than a third of the
way. On the way back we picked up the following blooms that we had previously
missed: California thistle, coffee berry bush, Chinese houses, caterpillar
phacelia, virgin's bower (large seed puffs), angels gilia and of course the
rein orchids. (RWM). |
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Naturalist's rating: Very Good |
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Malibu Creek State Park |
Tapia Spur Trail |
Date: 6/14/05 |
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We only hiked the section of this
trail between the entrance road of the Salvation
Army camp in Tapia Park to the group campsite in Malibu Creek State Park, a bit
less than a mile. Highlights include Indian Milkweed, Narrow-leaved Milkweed,
Golden Yarrow, Foothill Penstemon, Canchalagua, Sticky False Gilia, Chamise,
Common Vervain, Purple Clarkia, Elegant Clarkia, Woolly Blue Curls, Bush
Mallow, White Snapdragon, Woolly Monkey Flower, Yellow Monkey Flower, Bush
Monkey Flower, Scarlet Larkspur, Heart-leaved Penstemon, Elderberry, Indian
Pink, Honeysuckle, Toyon, Yellow Pincushion, White Pincushion, Twiggy Wreath
Plant, Turkish Rugging, Bush Poppy, Purple Nightshade, Branching Phacelia,
Cliff Aster, Lance-leaf Live-Forever, Yucca, Mustard Evening Primrose,
Long-beaked Filaree, White Sage and a couple of different Sunflowers. (TV). |
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Naturalist's rating: Very Good |
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Lower Zuma Canyon |
Ocean View
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Date: 6/13/05 |
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Although the lower trails in lower
Zuma Canyon tend to be rather "weedy," the upper ones can provide a
nice display of native wildflowers. The Ocean View / Canyon View loop is only
a little over two and a half miles, but the elevation change adds
significantly to the workout. I also added the short Scenic Trail loop and
found a couple of nice flowers there as well. Parts of the Canyon View trail
had an annoying burden of star thistle and made wearing shorts uncomfortable.
Over 70 species of flowers were seen, although there are many
"weedy" ones in this count and some are only lightly represented as
they are on their way out for the season. Sections of the trail were worthy
of a very good rating although most was only good. Highlights include Datura,
Elderberry, Common Vervain, Bush Mallow, Canyon Sunflower, Yucca, Horehound,
Turkey Mullein, White Nightshade, Branching Phacelia, Morning Glory, Cliff
Aster, Yarrow, Golden Yarrow, Bush Lupine, Twiggy Wreath Plant, California
Poppy, Bush Monkey Flower, Creek Monkey Flower, Scarlet Monkey Flower, Toyon,
Black Sage, Purple Sage, Gum Plant, Western Thistle, Indian Paintbrush,
Indian Pink, Soap Plant, Plummer's Mariposa Lily, several Dudleyas,
Chamise, Heart-leaved Penstemon, Chaparral Honeysuckle and Fish's
Milkwort. (TV). |
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Naturalist's rating: Good |
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Circle X Ranch |
Sandstone Peak via the
Mishe Mokwa Trailhead |
Date: 6/12/05 |
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Our main purposes on this hike were
to visit Sandstone Peak and to check on the progress of the Rein Orchids on
the Mishe Mokwa trail. These inconspicuous slow growing plants are finally
beginning to bloom, rewarding the real die hard flower enthusiast. The
variety of flowers is down as we head into summer, although this section of
trail is never spectacular in that particular way. Many of the fifty or so species
encountered are of the "weedy" variety or on their last legs, so to
speak. However, there are still respectable displays of Bush Lupine, Yellow
Monkey Flower, Woolly Blue Curls, Black Sage, Chamise, Deerweed, Yucca,
Caterpillar Phacelia, and the Clarkias, although they are on their way out. Still going strong are California
Buckwheat, Bush Monkey Flower, Turkish Rugging, Golden Yarrow, Lance-leaf
Live-forever, Golden Stars, Yellow Mariposa Lily, Branching Phacelia,
Heart-leaved Penstemon, Flax-Flowered Linanthus, Chaparral Honeysuckle and
Pitcher Sage. Early yet in their blooming cycle are
Scarlet Larkspur, Slender Tarweed, Soap Plant, Bird's Beak, Chalk
Live-forever, Rein Orchid, and the magnificent Humboldt Lily. (TV) |
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Naturalist's rating: Good |
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Topanga State Park |
Santa Ynez Trail |
Date: 6/9/05 |
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This trail can be accessed either
from Trippet Ranch above or the end of Vereda de la Montura Street off of
Palisades Drive in Palisades Highlands.
The accounting travels from low to high. Entering the trail you are immediately
in a shady riparian habitat. There is
still a lot of water in the creek. At
the start of the trail there are black sage, bush mallow, bush lupine, white
nightshade and California buckwheat.
Going deeper into the woods was sticky monkey flower, purple
nightshade, California poppy, golden yarrow, canyon sunflower and the best
treat; multitudes of Humboldt lilies dangling from tall plants. At the marked cross trail you can go right
to the waterfall, which is a lovely hike but this day I went left toward
Trippet Ranch. Very shortly on the
left you see cream bush in full flower cascading down the rock wall. Continuing through the woods there are
caterpillar phacelia, farewell-to-spring, Santa Monica dudleya, hedge nettle,
blackberry flower, chicory and eucrypta.
Abruptly the trail turns uphill and
into chaparral. This brings an
entirely different array of beautiful flowers. There are white snapdragons by the
hundreds, chamise, Turkish rugging, yellow monkey flower, white pincushion, deerweed
and some spectacular chalk live-forever.
There is a spot where low along the trail are the beautiful
canchalagua mixed with owl's clover, scarlet bugler, slender tarweed, heart
leaf penstemon and California everlasting.
Suddenly we were surrounded by hundreds of scarlet larkspur, many 10
feet tall. There were many Plummer's mariposas.
Now low along the trail are sapphire wool stars and a bit further
fleabane aster. There were lots of
different varieties of lizards and of butterflies. Views are incredible. It was the best hike I've taken this
year. (DS) |
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Naturalist's rating: Excellent |
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Malibu Creek State Park |
Cistern trail to Crags
road |
Date: 6/5/05 |
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On 6/5/05 we hiked down the Cistern
Trail off Mulholland Hwy. to Crags road to its end at Malibu Lake. Our
objective was to see the blooms on a California false indigo reported near
the western end of Crags Dr. in Malibu Creek State Park. We found the false
indigo, but unfortunately it had completed its blooming so we saw the foliage
and dried out blooms only. The hike though was an unqualified success though
with 96 species blooming including the grasses. The quantity could be
described only as bountiful, so an excellent rating is given. Eight species
could not be immediately identified in the field, but subsequent research
provided firm to tentative names of the new sightings. The new ones for me
were: flax-flowered linanthus, Indian tobacco, western blue flax, stinky
gilia, rose snapdragon and what I believe was
several large stands of horseradish. Other sightings which I have seldom seen
were California milkweed, white sage and a brilliant red purple Clarkia. Flowers in bloom in the white/cream
color group were cliff aster, chamise, California buckwheat, matilija poppy,
white snapdragon, bristly popcorn flower and yucca. There were also
California chicory, soap plant, morning glory, eucrypta, English plantain and
mugwort. Poison hemlock seems to be getting more plentiful than desired, but
we also spotted elderberry, imbricate phacelia, California filago, Datura,
narrow leaf milkweed and common yarrow. In the yellow/gold/orange group we
encountered hedge mustard, yellow star thistle, deerweed, slender tarweed,
golden yarrow, bush monkey flower, yellow monkey flower, sour clover, slender
bedstraw, sticky madia, gumplant, golden star, California coffee berry bush,
western wallflower, and black mustard. The usual prickly sow thistle and
telegraph weed were seen as well as California poppy, lance leaf dudleya,
Spanish broom, creek monkey flower, slimy monkey flower and a magnificent
Humboldt lily sporting 3 fully opened blooms and an additional 7 more waiting
their turns. Present along the way was sweet fennel, collarless Calif. poppy,
Barnaby's star thistle, pineapple weed, yellow Mariposa lily, and bush
sunflower. Present in the lavender/blue/purple
color group were Italian thistle, black sage, bush mallow, greenbark
ceanothus, Chinese houses, and purple nightshade. Others in this group were
wooly blue curls, purple sage, elegant Clarkia, caterpillar phacelia, vervain
and purple Clarkia (the lavender and purple variety). Speckled Clarkia, blue
larkspur, winter vetch, red stem filaree, and several nice stands of foothill
penstemon. Turkish rugging was plentiful, and long-beaked filaree, dove
lupine, speedwell and milk thistle were also found. Pink/rose/red were
represented by coast paint brush, heart leaf penstemon, scarlet pimpernel,
Plummer's Mariposa lily and California thistle. Equal billing must be
provided as well for the Indian pink, Calif. wild rose, chaparral
honeysuckle, and snowberry. Other sightings include giant rye,
Harding grass, coffee fern, curly dock, umbrella sedge, rabbit’s foot
grass, and rye grass. (RWM). |
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Naturalist's rating: Excellent |
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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: Burt
Elliot |
If you
would like to contribute to the wildflower report: e-mail: or phone
Tony at 310-457-6408 |
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