Viewing spring wildflowers in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Gazing out across the great California Desert, it’s easy to believe not much is shaking in that vast, arid landscape. But look a little closer and you will be amazed at the diversity of life around you.

As author Edward Maddin Ainsworth observed, 'At a casual glance, nothing seemed to live here except the few plants which had clawed deep into the earth, defying wind and heat alike…But this was deceptive. The desert nurtured a whole world of living things of its own'.

At no time are these words more true than at springtime in the great Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

Springtime in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

After the rains of the winter storms have soaked into the parched earth and the warmer spring sun begins to warm things up, a miracle happens. For a few weeks between late February and mid-March, a symphony bursts forth from the desert floor, a symphony of color and vibrancy. Wildflowers make their appearance, cacti bloom and, for a moment, time stands still.

Viewing wildflowers in Anza-Borrego

The amount and variety of flowers will astound you as you gaze out across the expanse of dancing colors. Ocotillos are in flame, lupines' purple spears wave wildly in the breeze, bobbing heads of desert sunflowers will make you smile, and the sinister snake-like leaves of the desert lily  will stop you in your tracks. Because the event is so special and so fleeting, it’s best to find out if the bloom is at its peak before you make the trek to the park. You really don’t want to miss this show!

Desert USA (www.desertusa.com) has a great website offering a variety of desert information including maps and updates on the wildflower bloom. They even offer a cool downloadable Wildflower Guide that can be used on your IPod or other MP3 device. That way you’ll know if it’s the Desert Lily or the Desert Pincushion you just tripped over when you weren’t paying attention.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park has a Wildflower Hotline you can access by calling (760) 767-4684

California State Park website (www.parks.ca.gov) has current park information, driving directions and a flower update and map.

Visitors Center at Borrego Springs is worth a visit

For the absolute most up-to-date information on the best viewing spots, make sure to stop at the Visitors Center in Borrego Springs. The enthusiastic and knowledgeable volunteers happily dispense advice on where the best blooms can be seen and which routes to take to get there. As the park is a thousand square miles of wilderness, make sure you know where you’re going before you set off. And since you’re there, take a look at the interesting Natural History exhibits inside and the informative native gardens outside which will give you a good taste of what you’ll be seeing. Plus, the panoramic view of  the surrounding mountains and the valley below will have the photographers in your group snapping happily away.

Educational courses, hikes and tours in Anza-Borrego

If you’re interested in a more in-depth look at this diverse park, check out Anza-Borrego Foundation’s Institute at www.theabf.org. Offering classes in everything from astronomy to archeology plus guided hikes and art classes (Illustrated Nature Journaling, anyone?) there really is something for everyone.
Also, the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park staff and volunteers offer a variety of naturalist talks, nature walks and, of course, the always popular campfire programs. You can all the Visitors Center at (760) 767-4205 for more information.

Dogs and the desert don’t mix

Though dogs are welcome in the park as long as they are on a six-foot leash and remain in the campgrounds or on the dirt roads (they are NOT allowed on trails), you might think twice about bringing them along. Cholla cactus is plentiful throughout the area and since it reproduces by dropping spiny joints, or balls, on the ground which then get blown around in the wind, the likelihood of your dog getting the spines embedded in a paw is extremely high. Painful and hard to remove, you could be taking a panicked hour long drive to the vet instead of a leisurely drive around the desert. And if the cacti don’t get him, don’t forget you can have high temperatures and rattlesnakes to contend with. Wouldn’t he rather be snoozing away somewhere cool and hazard-free?

To watch the desert spring to life is a magical thing and it happens in a blink of an eye. So grab your camera and some sturdy hiking boots and don't miss the opportunity to experience the symphony first-hand.

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