Dear MSSC Member,
The California Poppy Bloom is peaking sooner than anticipated this season. We went on a short excursion today, and found the majority of plants near full bloom. The Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve website is estimating the peak near next weekend, and we concur. There are not many unopened buds left on the poppies at this time, and not many plants on northern slopes; thus the bloom is limited to southern slopes only. The most striking feature of this season's bloom is not just the poppies, but a bright yellow miniature flower (whose name I am too ignorant to list), which covers nearly all of the Reserve area, some Lupine, some pale blues, and others. The best poppy bloom is just north of the Reserve Visitor's Center, and also the northeast corner of the Reserve area, abutting highway 138 West and along the Southern California Edison Power Line Road in that corner. There is also a good bloom about 2 miles south of the Reserve, and north of it, as well (this latter is on Tejon Ranch property, which is zealously guarded against encroachment - not a good idea!).
If you elect to see the bloom, the poppies are widespread, and you will have no problem locating good spots, as they become visible traveling west on any of the Avenue J thru Highway 138 exits. Some of the thicker blooms are well before the Reserve area. Just simply stop where ever you feel comfortable, and enjoy! Stop often! If you wish the company of MSSC members, I will lead a group next Saturday, April 5. I will be on Lancaster Road, on the side of the highway, just before the road which leads into the Visitor's Center at 11:00 am. Look for our white Honda SUV, complete with two dogs. (Dogs are not allowed on the Reserve hiking trails, but there is plenty of open country nearby). Also worthy of note, the Palmdale area itself is ablaze with wildflowers. There are some Poppies just south of Palmdale, on the hills where the Angeles Forest Highway meets Highway 14 just east of Acton. There is a wonderful bloom of small yellows and soft violets where Highway 14 crests, just before the turnout which overlooks Palmdale Reservoir. When you leave Highway 14 on Ave J westward (or others), be prepared to see nothing but new housing and dry desert for the first 10 miles. Then beautiful fluorescent orange poppies will begin to appear along the roadside, gradually increasing in number and intensity. The few photos we enclose hardly do them justice.
Taking a drive to see the Poppies has always seemed kind of dumb to me, and each time I do it (three or four times in a season) I question my sanity. But once I arrive there, I know exactly why I always return: it is an exhilarating experience and never to be forgotten. See ya! Jim Imai
