Anza-Borrego in Bloom

Desert wildflowers are beautiful partly because they're so transitory. Every year they offer something different; sometimes blooming to extremes and other years hardly appearing at all.

This year the wildflowers are a little fickle, yet no less exciting in their variety. The cold, wet winter and spring has slowed the blooms, but every week there are new flowers popping out somewhere in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, extending the season.

Recent blooms include white pincushions, desert dandelion, red chuparosa, brittlebush, desert sunflower, popcorn flower, and creosote bush all in bloom just outside the center, along with a nervous, long-eared jack rabbit, and cagy roadrunner.

The first stop in the Borrego desert and best resource is always the State Park Visitor’s Center.  The volunteer staff is helpful and enthusiastic, taking time to direct people toward the best wildflower blooms in the park that day.

The Anza-Borrego Foundation offers lectures, films and activities at the center. Arrive early to join a guided wildflower hike. You can get a map and wildflower brochure and head out. Make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes, loose clothing, a hat and sunblock, and bring lots of water. Whatever you might have forgotten, you can pick up at the well-stocked Borrego Outfitters in The Mall.

“There will be flowers blooming through April,” Lisa Pridmore, a park volunteer said recently. “And then the cactus start flowering through May.” So, if you miss one week, there is still time.

To avoid crowds, start the day early. For a magnificent view of the backcountry covered in giant brush strokes of yellow, drive along Highway 79 toward Warner Springs, turn right on S2 and left at S22.

A few local trails to explore in the park are:

Palm Canyon, behind the Visitors Center. It is the most popular hike for good reason. It’s 1.5 miles one-way to the palm grove and, if you are lucky, the waterfall.

Hellhole Canyon (inappropriately named) will end in a small pool and Maidenhair Falls before drying up in the summer. This hike is a bit more strenuous and longer, but abundant in flowers and cacti.

Head to Ocotillo Flats and wander among the blooming red tongues of the ocotillo plant. They are especially vibrant this year. Unless you have a four-wheel drive vehicle, you may have to park and walk in.

The Anza-Borrego Desert State Park encompasses 600,000 acres, so don’t expect to see it all in one day. It’s best to choose a section of the park or a trail and let the desert reveal itself slowly.

Later, wander the art galleries and shops, or metal Sky Art sculptures, have a burger at Carlee’s or salad nicoise at the French Corner. Or better yet, stay overnight and watch the night sky open.