Posted by Bret Edge on February 27, 2010 at 1:00 AM
Hey folks,
We're back from our trip to Arizona and I thought I'd share some beta on the Phoenix area wildflower situation. It rained during our first 4 days there, flash floods and all. There is more rain followed by abundant sunshine predicted, which should bode well for wildflowers.
Currently, the brittle bush is barely starting to bloom around Lost Dutchman SP - and I do mean barely. The desert grass is very green in this area and the ocotillo are leafy and vibrant, though not covered in flowers. My guess: 2 weeks & this area is going to be carpeted.
I saw more brittle bush blooming between Cave Creek and New River, but nothing else. The whole valley is super green right now. All the washes and creeks we saw in the Supes were flowing. I even saw a full fledged waterfall, at least 50' high, flowing off a cliff on the Peralta Trail!
As an aside, if you plan to camp at Lost Dutchman SP you might be surprised to discover the campground full almost daily. I was also quite surprised to see so many people on the trails in the middle of the week. Lots of photographers already out and about, some of whom are so clueless they wander right in front of your tripod, not 20 yards away, and set up their own tripod.
Hope this helps. I'm still editing images and will post some stuff here over the next couple of weeks. Just wish I could head back down for the technicolor wildflower display.
I didn't learn about this until after we got home but the Phoenix Art Museum is hosting what appears to be an awesome Ansel Adams exhibit through June, 2010.
Posted by Bob Karcz on February 27, 2010 at 12:33 PM
Bret- Thanks for the update- I will be heading that way the end of next week for 2 weeks. Hopefully the bloom happens. 2008 was a spectacular year in the Phoenix area- hopefully a repeat.
Posted by Bret Edge on February 27, 2010 at 2:15 PM
Bob: I bet you'll get some really nice flowers while you're down that way. Good luck and have fun!
Posted by Rod Chandler on March 5, 2010 at 3:50 PM
Bret, I flew home to Denver from Phoenix yesterday (3/4). I have my motorhome at Apache Junction and I have been spending most of my time in the area of the Superstitions. Not much color at all, other than green so far. I saw two poppies one morning while hiking. That's pretty much it. The saguaro are in great shape and look terrific with the green surroundings. Some, however, had blown over during the rain, what with soft earth and wind.
Um, gee, I left my daughters in Tucson last week to have a longer visit...guess I'll have to go back down next week to pick them up.
That will still likely be early for the peak bloom this year though.
Thanks Bret.
Discussion
4 repliesWe're back from our trip to Arizona and I thought I'd share some beta on the Phoenix area wildflower situation. It rained during our first 4 days there, flash floods and all. There is more rain followed by abundant sunshine predicted, which should bode well for wildflowers.
Currently, the brittle bush is barely starting to bloom around Lost Dutchman SP - and I do mean barely. The desert grass is very green in this area and the ocotillo are leafy and vibrant, though not covered in flowers. My guess: 2 weeks & this area is going to be carpeted.
I saw more brittle bush blooming between Cave Creek and New River, but nothing else. The whole valley is super green right now. All the washes and creeks we saw in the Supes were flowing. I even saw a full fledged waterfall, at least 50' high, flowing off a cliff on the Peralta Trail!
As an aside, if you plan to camp at Lost Dutchman SP you might be surprised to discover the campground full almost daily. I was also quite surprised to see so many people on the trails in the middle of the week. Lots of photographers already out and about, some of whom are so clueless they wander right in front of your tripod, not 20 yards away, and set up their own tripod.
Hope this helps. I'm still editing images and will post some stuff here over the next couple of weeks. Just wish I could head back down for the technicolor wildflower display.
I didn't learn about this until after we got home but the Phoenix Art Museum is hosting what appears to be an awesome Ansel Adams exhibit through June, 2010.
That will still likely be early for the peak bloom this year though.
Thanks Bret.