Botanists will love to tell you that the recent confluence of drought, fires and heavy rains is what‘s causing the pheno called “superbloom”.
Gotta admit, I've never seen these flowers in SoCal before. I first noticed those giant white flowers on the side of the freeways about 15 years ago. Then the yellow mustards seemed like they were everywhere. Then I started seeing purple lupines.
Pollen transportation at work, I suppose.
When we entered Carrizo Plain National Monument, we found no kiosk, no gate, no entrance fee, no “park map”, nor Park Ranger. Neither did we see any “monument”. Also, FYI, no bathrooms, trashcans or food vendors. This is not a solicitation for food trucks, by the way, just an "FYI", so please don't take that as such.
There sure were lots of patches of flowers and each patch for a different type and/or different colored flower. Although to call them "patches" is to seriously undersell it. Fields would be more accurate.
Yes, I really meant the word "fields". Plural. This is, after all, a large area designated as National Monument.
We found a group of people camping too. It wasn't a designated camp site. It looks like they just found a quiet out-of-the-way spot and set up over there. I'm not exactly sure if they were allowed to camp there at all, but they have a whole set up going on there with several sleeping tents, picnic tables, canopies and even a portable bathroom set-up.
Also, there were “lakes” that have dried up. If I remember my lake ages correctly, these are eutrophic lakes. There are no more water in these lakes, just white powder where the water used to be. It looks like an alien landscape. Beautiful!
A friend of mine came by a couple of weeks after we did and found no more flowers. Life really is fleeting. So if you come by to see the blooms, come visit towards March more.
Towards the northwest end of Route 58, the hills begin to loom and you could see the different colors on the hills. A turn-out will show up on the west side of Route 58 with a giant sign that says "Painted Hills". It looks like a worthy distraction. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to take the side road as we have a check-in time we needed to get to. Apologies for the lack of photos of that, but there is just no way I could capture the beauty and breadth of those Painted Hills.
Next year, my friend. Next year.
Carrizo Plain National Historic Monument Park
Giving directions would probably be more helpful than giving and address for you to plug into your maps app, so here goes:
From Los Angeles:
- 5 North
- Exit Route 166 towards Maricopa
- After the town of Hazelton and before you hit Route 95, Soda Lake Road should come up.
- Right turn on Soda Lake Road. Soda Lake Road should take you through the park. Take as many side roads as you want or need. Eventually, Soda Lake Road should take you out of the park and onto Route 58.
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