Where to find a hidden field of poppies in Los Angeles County

For me, Springtime means making road trips to document the wild flower fields through southern California. But this season has not been good.

Due to the lack of rain in the crucial winter months, the areas that are sometimes covered with poppies, lupines and other flowers, the Arvin Cross area in Arvin, Walker Canyon in Lake Elsinore and the Antílope Valley, to name a few, are more sterile this year. I thought I would have to give up my search.

Although there are no significant fields of California poppies this year in southern California, a large field of the colorful native flowers goes crazy on the Elizabeth Lake and Munz Ranch roads, in the community of Elizabeth Lake, California, on Sunday. The location is about two hours north of Los Angeles.

(Raúl Roa / Los Angeles Times)

But then I heard murmurs on a great poppy field in the small community of Elizabeth Lake, south of Lancaster. I decided to take my camera and make the two -hour trip from my home to see what was there.

It turns out that south -oriented slopes are covered with golden poppies and oranges. Being surrounded in the brightness felt almost electric. There were only a handful of people taking photos and walking along a steep path to the top of the hill.

The fields are located on Elizabeth Lake and Munz Ranch roads. You can park on the side of the road next to the poppies.

Some notes if you decide to see splendor in Elizabeth Lake: Go in the next two or three weeks if you can. Be sure to respect the speed limits and neighbors. Use the crosswalk and be careful when crossing the road. There is a main path on the slope that is divided into two. Stay on those paths and not trample the flowers (or take home). Enjoy the landscape and leave no trace.

It turns out that this season is not a complete bust when it comes to wild flowers. Happy spring.

If you decide to see flowering in Elizabeth Lake, be sure not to leave a trace.

(Raúl Roa / Los Angeles Times)