Antelope Valley Poppy Trip

I've been wanting to get out to Antelope Valley to shoot Poppies and other wildflowers for a few years now and I finally have my chance. Hopefully the weather and bloom cooperate.
I'm flying in to LAX on the 16th and out the 19th. My plan is to drive to Lancaster and canvas the area over the weekend. If the scene is less than exciting, I may continue on to the Kern county area or elsewhere depending on recommendations.

I've gone through the CANP recent posts and wildflower reports. Any recent reports from Antelope Valley?

Any specific roads, parks, preserves or other recommendations for the area? I've spent many years in CA but I'm not familiar with that area.

Any lodging, food, other recommendations for Lancaster and surrounds?

Thanks for any help. I promise to return the favor when you visit Colorado or Utah!

Kalin

Kalin
The best sites for up to date info on Antelope Valley are: http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/ca.html
and http://www.theodorepayne.org/hotline.html The lastest report from Antelope Valley is March 25 at: http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=24565
You might want to consider changing your plans to include Carrizo Plain as that seems to be the place to go this year. Check the links to photos for Carizzo on my blog ( link below )

Sandy
Natural History Wanderings
http://sandysteinman.wordpress.com

Hi Kalin,
I live in Rosamond just a few miles form the poppy reserve. Let me start off by saying it's been very windy here lately, so it's best to get out early in the morning. But the situation could change by the time you get here. If you are going to the poppy reserve you might want to check out 170th street west. Continue past the reserve on Lancaster Road to 160th street west, turn right and continue to follow the road until you reach 170th street west. Turn right at 170th and continue about a quarter or half mile looking to your right. This location often offers very nice blooms, many times even better than the reserve. Another place to check is Gorman off of interstate 5. You can get there by staying on 170th to highway 138 and turn left, follow the 138 to interstate 5 and head north toward Gorman. This area is often times very beautiful. Good Luck!

Sandy, Thanks for the tips. I've seen some good reports from the Bakersfield area. That doesn't look too far to go from where I planned on being. I'll check out your blog.

John, Thanks for the directions. I'm sure they will help. Is there a lot of public land along those routes outside the reserve?

Sandy, Thanks for the tips. I've seen some good reports from the Bakersfield area. That doesn't look too far to go from where I planned on being. I'll check out your blog.

John, Thanks for the directions. I'm sure they will help. Is there a lot of public land along those routes outside the reserve?

Kalin,
If you are going to Bakersfield area you might check out the Kern Wildflowers site: http://www.visitkern.com/WildflowerSightings.php
Sandy
Natural History Wanderings

Kalin,

I just posted a photo on ESS from the Gorman area just outside of the little town. I haven't visted the Poppy preserve, but there are wildflowers every where in So Cal. Carrizo Plains might be a good choice as well it's not far from the Antelope Valley and their website (just google Carrizo Plains) has a link to the TheordorePaynefoundation Wildflowere weekly report.

Paul

Cool, Thanks!

Hi Kalin,

Perhaps the following information will help. As others have suggested, I highly
recommend the Carrizo Plain west of Bakersfield. A wildflower guide that I
have for the Antelope Valley lists the following locations: Out of Lancaster
take Avenue 1 to 110 St and turn right; go approximately 3 miles and turn
left on a dirt road. Another location is to go on 110th St--Avenue D into
123rd. In a good year you'll should see quite a few Poppies. For another
location take Avenue D again and turn left on 140th ST. Eventually you'll
see a gorge which you can walk into, enabling you to shoot up underneath
the Poppies. Using Avenue D, travel to 190th St where you'll make a right
turn. Here you'll find Joshua Trees and wildflowers at their base.

I hope that this helps.

Thanks Robert!
I appreciate the info and help, everyone. I'm looking forward to a fun and productive weekend! Based on some of the postings I've seen, I think it might be worth hauling my large format out there.
Maybe I'll see some of you out in the field.

Thanks again,
Kalin

I passed through the poppy fields along rt. 138 yesterday, and it was the absolute most fabulous display I've seen. The place was on fire! The smell was intoxicating. I was very lucky to be there when all the poppies were open, beautiful clouds in a blue sky, and there was little or NO wind! It was very hard to leave. I suggest the you go there RIGHT NOW! The weekend will be jammed, yesterday was perfect, only four vehicles. I made many images that are still to be processed. I'll post soon.

I just came back from the poppy fields in Lancaster today. Check out my brief report. Best of luck to you.

http://www.cmhuangphotography.com/Other/Blog/10264230_4Z9S5