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Page Revised: 12/03/04 |
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Available Sites Circle X Ranch |
Date of Review 12-02-04 & 11/02/04
& 10/22/04 |
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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 trails have greened up
nicely and we are beginning to see the first flowers of the new blooming
season. |
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Circle X Ranch |
Backbone Trail below Triunfo Peak |
Date: 12/02/04 |
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This relatively new section of the
backbone starts in the South parking lot of the Mishe Mokwa trailhead and proceeds
four miles South-East of Yerba Buena before intersecting Yerba Buena again. A
good portion of this trail is spent looping around Triunfo Peak. The trail
provide grand views of the ocean and the day we did the hike we could see
both San Nicolas and San Clemente as well as the much closer Santa Catalina
and the Islands of Channel Islands National Park. Evidence of deer is
plentiful including many tracks and plants growing in unusual shapes and
sizes as a consequence of the heavy browsing. This hike included a side trip
to Triunfo Peak. |
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Naturalist's rating: Poor |
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Point Mugu State Park |
Backbone Trail |
Date: 11/13/04 |
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This hike was the first of the
2004-2005 NPS Backbone Trail Series. We will be hiking the entire Backbone
Trail, one part each month and reporting on the flowers seen. The hike was from
the western Backbone Trailhead in La Jolla Canyon to Danielson Ranch; a
distance of just over 8 miles. (Ray
Miller Trail, Overlook Fire Road, Wood Canyon Vista Trail, Sycamore Canyon
Fire Road) Hiking from La Jolla Canyon to
Danielson Ranch during the best wildflower season we would expect to record
about 40 species. This day we noted 16 species with several having only a few
flowers. Tree Tobacco, Telegraph Weed, and the Mustards are almost always to
be seen. Woolly Aster, Cliff Aster, California Fuchsia, Coyote Brush,
Chicory, Wand and Ashy leaf Buckwheat, and Mule Fat are nearing the end of
their blooming cycle. Early blooming Rattlesnake Weed, Bladder Pod, Chaparral
Current, Greenbark Ceanothus, and Deerweed were seen. By the time this report
is published many more species will be blooming. We saw many new buds, but
restricted ourselves to only report plants in flower. (BE and RMW) |
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Naturalist's rating: Poor |
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Rancho Sierra Vista / Point Mugu State Park |
Wendy Trail / Boney Mountain Trail |
Date Observed: 11/11/04 |
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On 11/11/04 we hiked the Wendy Trail
to the Satwiwa Trail to the Upper Sycamore Canyon Trail to the waterfall and
then the Boney Mountain Trail to the Danielson Monument. This was a 6 mile
hike during which only 15 species of flora were found to be in bloom. This
was a decidedly a poor showing, but the first blooms of the new season were
encountered, the lovely pink and white of the chaparral current. The views
down into upper Sycamore Canyon with the sycamore trees still yellow against
the darker green of the other trees and chaparral were spectacular. The
waterfall at the head of the canyon was flowing with a steady stream of water
and the creek babbled incessantly. Yellow was the leader in number of species
blooming with sow thistle, hedge mustard, sweet fennel, telegraph weed and
lots of Calif. sagebrush. White was represented only by coyote bush, cliff
aster and ashy-leaved buckwheat. Wooly aster and vervain contributed lavender
to color scheme. Pink/red were represented by wild roses, wand buckwheat,
chaparral current and lots of hoary fuchsia. Also seen was Russian thistle
blooming. (RMW) |
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Naturalist's rating: Poor |
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Circle X Ranch |
Mishe Mokwa loop Trail |
Date Observed:11/2/04 |
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Very few flowers blooming on this six
mile loop that includes a stop at Sandstone Peak. The trail itself is in
excellent condition with essentially no mud left from last week's rain. Green
grass and other small plants are a welcome sight. There were a few patches of
Wooly Aster, a single example of Bush Senecio in bloom, a couple of small
Sawtooth Goldenbush blossoms, some Coyote Bush, California Sagebrush and a
sparse scattering of California Buckwheat. Blooming elsewhere at Circle X (but
none plentiful): California Fuchsia, Cliff Aster, Twiggy Wreath Plant, Tejon
Milk-aster, Ashy Leaf Buckwheat, Wand Buckwheat, Toyon, Telegraph Weed,
California Brickelbush, Tree Tobacco, Black Mustard, Felt-leaf Everlasting,
Deerweed, and even a few Red Shank blossoms. (TV) |
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Naturalist's rating: Poor |
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Rancho Sierra Vista |
Hidden Pond Trail |
Date Observed:10/29/04 |
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The recent rains are evidenced by the
deep runoff ruts cut in the trails on the steeper slopes of the Hidden Pond
Trail out of the Rancho Sierra Vista area on 10/29/04, but no water is
running in any of the creeks as yet. Only 15 different species were
displaying blooms with only a single sample of many of them. For a 9 mile
hike only 15 species rates a poor rating on the old bloom-o-meter. The Hidden
Pond was virtually still hidden in as much as only a 20 foot puddle was seen
whereas the dried Tules implied nearly 3/4 acre pond when the water was
plentiful. Since the pond is atop a mesa like meadow, there are no streams to
feed it so I assume it must get all of its moisture from direct rainfall,
which would indicate that a lot more rain is needed to fill it up. The dominant color of blooms were in
the yellow hues and included hedge mustard, telegraph weed, a single deerweed
and prickly pear and coast golden bush, sweet fennel and a few bush monkey
flowers. Amongst the whites were coyote bush, ashy-leaved buckwheat, cliff
aster and mule fat. In the lavender part of the spectrum we still see wooly
aster, a few bush mallow and wand chicory. Wand buckwheat added a little pink
to the color starved flora. Other sightings include turkey mullein. The hike started at the parking lot at
Ranch Sierra Vista and proceeded south to the upper part of Big Sycamore
Canyon, thence west along the Hidden Pond Trail to near Ranch Center with a
return on Ranch Center Road. (RWM) |
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Naturalist's rating: Poor |
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Circle X Ranch |
Grotto Trail |
Date Observed:10/22/04 |
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The recent rain and cooler weather has
made everything feel fresh and clean. The sunny sides of slopes are showing a
multitude of tiny green plants that have sprouted in the last few days.
However, it seems even the summer bloomers are running out now, many of which
are down to a few isolated individuals still blooming when most of their
siblings have already gone to seed. In addition, many of the individuals
still blooming are a bit faded and/or wilted. At the top end of the trail you
can still find Milk-asters (both Tejon and Twiggy Wreath Plant) and the
similar Cliff-Aster. The Woolly Asters are looking a bit faded but are still
easy to find. Only a few Sawtooth Goldenbush are still blooming, most instead
showing their brown dandelion-like seed heads. The California Fuchsia is
still plentiful adding a striking red to the landscape. Down near the grotto
we encounter California Sagebrush and Wand Buckwheat. The tadpoles are at
last gone but the pools of the creek are all full again and the sound of
water is everywhere. |
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Naturalist's rating: Poor |
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Rancho Sierra Vista / Point Mugu State Park |
Upper Sycamore Canyon
Trail |
Date Observed:10/20/04 |
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This hike was done on a very overcast
morning during a respite between the showers of a multi-day storm. Starting
from the inner most parking lot at Rancho Sierra Vista, hike to the Sycamore
Canyon Road and turn left on Old Boney Road just before the Sycamore Canyon
Road starts downhill. You will be returning up this hill. Hike along the rim
of the canyon, up a steep hill, then down into the canyon. As Boney Road
begins to level out in the canyon turn right on the narrow Sycamore Canyon
Trail. There are almost no flowers, but the green of many trees is deepening,
contrasting with the pastel colors of fallen leaves and grasses. The pink of
the Ashyleaf Buckwheat merges nicely with the other pastels. Occasionally
brilliant scarlet California Fuchsia is seen with the flowers bowed from
being pummeled by the rain. The stream is running for the first time in many
months, but by the fourth crossing is again underground. Turn right at the
Big Sycamore Canyon Road and hike back to the start. One can always count on
seeing the yellow bloom of the Telegraph Weed along the road. Out in the open
now, Coyote Brush is beginning to add its bright white to the scene. The soil
on this hike drains well and what little mud is present is easily avoided. It
can be hiked even in light rain. (BE) |
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Naturalist's rating: Poor |
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Point Mugu State Park |
La Jolla Canyon Trail |
Date Observed: 10/12/04 |
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On 10/12/04 we hiked the La Jolla Canyon
Trail to the Large pond at the north end of the trail and returned via one of
the loop trails. The degree of the present drought was evidenced by the total
lack of water in the pond. Over the last 6 years I have never seen this pond
dry, but this year the cracked mud bottom was fully exposed. The little pond
and spring about 0.6 miles north of the trail head was also completely dry,
another first. Despite these outward signs of the drought a surprising number
of blooms were encountered along the trail, 23 different species to be exact.
This is more than were seen on hikes in July and August this year. The yellow blooms were the dominant
group and included sawtooth goldenbush, telegraph weed, Calif. sage brush,
sweet fennel, tree tobacco, western goldenrod, hedge mustard, gum plant, and
ragweed. White flowers seen were morning glory, ashy-leaved buckwheat, coyote
bush, mule flat, cud weed, cliff aster and laurel sumac. Even reds were
represented with scarlet monkey flower, hoary fuchsia, and wand buckwheat
being spotted. Wooly aster, vervain, Calif. loosestrife and several bush
mallow represented the lavender/purple colors. The wildlife seen included brush
rabbits, groups of tits, and one granddaddy of a Calif. whiptail lizards that
must have been 16 to 18 inches long. I don't know where the wild life is
getting its water, but it seems to be plentiful with lots of deer tracks also
seen. (RWM) |
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Naturalist's rating: Fair |
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Paramount Ranch |
Coyote
Canyon Trail |
Date Observed: 10/11/2004 |
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The hillside behind the meadow and the
Coyote Canyon Trail are covered with large yellow hawkfield tarweed flowers
interspersed with blue flowers of chicory. The trail has a very nice patch of
vinegar weed. Also blooming were coast goldenbush, bush mallow and ashy leaf
buckwheat. (SB) |
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Naturalist's rating: Fair |
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Rancho Sierra Vista |
Native
Plant Garden |
Date Observed: 10/11/2004 |
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Reliable water brings out continual bloom
here. You'll see both spring (fuchsia flowered gooseberry, verbain,
California wild rose, sticky monkey flower, purple sage, bladderpod, yerba
mansa) and summer blooms (California fuchsia, conejo buckwheat, wand
buckwheat) as well as dried berries (rose hips) and pods (yerba mansa,
narrow-leaved milkweed) (SB) |
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Contact
Information: Santa
Monica Mountains National Recreation Area 401 West
Hillcrest Drive Ph.
805-370-2301 web. www.nps.gov/samo |
Thank
you for your
contributions: Robert W.
Maughmer |
If you
would like to contribute to the wildflower report: e-mail: or phone
him at 310-457-6408 |
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