If you're thinking about SE AZ this weekend...

...here's more info and photos.

I hate to post photos that could be much better with editing, but if anyone is considering heading this way I wanted to give a little more info. (I won’t be back to Photoshop and the calibrated monitor until next week.)

While much of the Safford/Duncan/Clifton triangle has very good areas of flowers, the best spot I found was just past mile marker 149 in Highway 191 as you descend from Guthrie Pass toward the Gila River. (See this Google Map.) There is a place you can park on the east side of the road (on your left) just past the mile marker. There is an unlocked gate there, and you can open it to walk through instead of climbing the fence.

As you stand with your back to the road the poppies are visible in front of you on the slopes to the north and west. The hyacinth is not visible from here, but hike up the hill to your right (the northeast, parallel to the highway) to find them on top.

I have to head back to Phoenix tomorrow, so hopefully others can make it over to enjoy.

Cheers,

John

And one more "ugly" shot, just to document the hyacinth and poppies.

I suddenly feel ill. Damn, I wish I didn't have to miss this! Great shots, John.

Boy was I early this year in my visit to AZ and missed the bloom. Incredible! I have been to Antelope Valley, CA and this looks better.

What Todd said. Wow!

The mix of cactus with these flowers is great! Wish I could make it.

At last a reason to visit this ungodly place. What redeeming images. The tourism board (if these small towns actually have them) would be blessed to have these on their literature.

I was in the Superstitions 10 days ago and saw nothing even remotely this attractive. Clearly I was in the wrong spot. Marvelous images.

A once in a lifetime opportunity it looks like. All of these are just stunning.

Thanks, John.

I'm in Flagstaff tonight, and I think I'll head down there tomorrow.

Beautiful - reminds me of the carpets of prairie primrose we saw in northern CO last year. Any thoughts on how long this display might last?

You're killing me! I hope I get a 10th of this display in CA in a couple of weeks.

Looks like an awesome place to be--wow is right :)

I had no idea Arizona had a flower season anything close to this. Thanks for all the photos, John.

Stephen, I wish I could say. Although I've enjoyed poppies all my life, I only started playing with photography since moving to the Pacific Northwest. I never payed that close of attention. I believe this weekend will be good, but worry that much longer will see the color start to thin. The hyacinth are also at peak and seem to be in really good shape, so even if the poppies fade a bit there may be color out there.

I'm headed back out to play this morning; it looks like sunny skies as I type this and I'd like a few more shots with the poppies open. I'll try and update later today on how they rode out the winds of yesterday.

The flowers are still holding well, but I'm guessing this will be the last good weekend.

Wow, great job documenting such a wildflower show! I drooled over this same scene on my way to kayak the Gila about 2 weeks ago. I cursed the situation I was in that wouldn't allow me to photograph these, but quickly felt better about it once I got in the water Glad someone was around to capture it!

Hello John,
Am drooling over your post and was hoping to get down there mid-week this coming week. Do you think I am going to be too late???

Also, am trying to find Mile marker 149 on Hwy 191 on my Mapsource maps with no luck. Cannot even find Guthrie pass??? Have tried to find it with your reference on the attched Google map but am still a bit lost. Any chance you can give a few additional details so I can try to find this place?

Thanks,

Jim

Hi Jim,

If you zoom out on the Google Map link far enough to see both Safford and Clifton, the area you are looking for is about 2/3 of the distance between the two if you are driving from Safford. If you note the area called Three Way (a historical name; it's actually a four-way intersection now), the flowers are best about five miles prior.

I wish I could say how long the flowers will last, but I just don't have the experience to judge. I'd hate to have you drive a long way only to find remnants. There are a lot of flowers, so even if past peak you may still be able to pick and choose. There may be some other NPN members there yesterday and today; maybe they can chime in.

Thanks John for the info. Rod just called me from that area and he thinks the flowers will last at least until mid week. So, if I can swing it, I plan on departing from Devner Tuesday AM.

Thanks again for the info. Helps alot.

Happy Easter!

Jim

Thanks John! I will very probably head down tomorrow morning. Who could ask for a better Easter Monday than hunting desert wildflowers? Maybe I'll some some folks out there!