Don't wait until summer: March and April are two of the best months for weekend road trips because wildflowers begin to grow after the winter rain and wildlife can be more active with the abundant vegetation and water current.
I'm glad I didn't wait. I'm a long-time photographer and nature enthusiast and one of my favorite routes starts on Highway 15, passing through Walker Canyon in Lake Elsinore (no California poppies seen yet), through Temecula (where I can photograph balloons aerostatics) and until you reach Manantiales de Borrego.
While I'm in the area, I like to hike the Borrego Palm Canyon trail in Anza Borrego Desert State Park because of the flowing creek and the chance to see the majestic Peninsular bighorn sheep and birds like the verdin, phainopepla, and roadrunners.
After visiting the area in late February and seeing wildflowers and bighorn sheep, I decided to make the trip again last week.
Visitors to the Borrego Palm Canyon trail got a rare sight when Peninsular bighorn sheep came down the mountain to eat the growing vegetation and drink water from the fountain near the parking lot.
(Raúl Roa / Los Angeles Times)
I live in Whittier and the three hour drive started before dawn; I wanted to pass by my favorite places in the morning glow. Walker Canyon was a paradise for wildflowers, so my first stop was Temecula. After photographing a hot air balloon, I continued my journey on two-lane roads toward Borrego Springs. I stopped for a short break in Warner Springs and watched the gliders take off and land at the glider port.
My next stop was the flower fields on Henderson Canyon Road in Borrego Springs. Dozens of people were among the flowers, having fun and taking photos. Some were sitting in the shade near their RVs, others rested in camping chairs in the field. The desert sunflowers, violet sand verbena and white dune primrose were spectacular.
Wildflowers such as Dune's white primrose can be seen on Henderson Canyon Road east of Borrego Valley Road.
(Raúl Roa / Los Angeles Times)
From there, I decided not to stop for lunch and headed straight to the Borrego Palm Canyon Trail to risk seeing some bighorn sheep. Some notes about hiking in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park: Don't pick flowers, stay on trails, and don't take your dog on trails or into wilderness areas. Also, parking costs $10 a day.
Wildflower Details 2024
Where to Find Wildflower Information (and Great Photos)
At the park entrance, I asked the attendant if anyone had reported seeing wild rams and sheep. They told me no one had done it. I almost turned back but opted to continue because it was still early afternoon. As I pulled into the parking lot, I noticed a California Park officer looking down the trail. In the distance I saw some hikers looking in the same direction.
This seemed strange to me and I wondered what was going on. Then, as I drove toward a parking spot, I noticed the holy grail of Anza Borrego wildlife: a large flock of horned animals was just a few feet from the trail. Suddenly my day was complete. To find these majestic wild sheep, I didn't even have to make the trek.
I was able to photograph the animals as they chewed on the abundant green brush and drank water from a fountain at the trailhead. They moved through the area as people kept their distance and the officer watched.
Once the animals returned to the mountain, I felt relieved and satisfied that my stars had aligned and I began my journey back home. My day trip was unforgettable and worth it. My next stops: the Antelope Valley poppy fields, the Tehachapi Mountains to look for California condors, and Arvin Cross to look for more wildflowers. For my mental health, I am grateful for all of this.
