Wildflowers 2025 - Part 1

 One of our favorite wildflower viewing areas is along Figueroa Mountain Road in the San Rafael Mountain Range.  In July of 2024 the Lake Fire burned through many of the areas that are good for wildflower viewing.  The limited rainfall for most of the winter did not promise much for wildflowers this year, but late rains helped to improve the chances.  On March 29th we drove up Figueroa Mountain Road to see fire damage close up and what this season might bring.

What we found was a mix of the results of the Lake Fire mixed in with lots of new green grasses and areas of promising wildflower displays.

There was definitely areas that showed the results of the Lake Fire.

 But many trees were showing new growth from the trunk or roots.

 

This image is of a field of Yucca plants near the ranger station heavily scorched by the fire.

Grass Mountain was showing hints of orange from California Poppies.

 

This grove of burned oak trees had a nice carpet of lupines.

 

 

 

The well known hillside near the turn-off to Catway Road was in fair shape.

 

 

 

There were more Shooting Stars this year than we've seen in other years.
 

Also, lots of Fiddleneck

 

 

We did find quite a few Chocolate Lillies.

 

 

And a few Baby Blue Eyes

 

Johnny Jump-up

 

 

Morning Glory

 

 

Miner's Lettuce with tiny white flowers

 

Fiesta Flowers

 

 

 

And just a couple Mariposa Lillies

 

 

Small patches of California Poppies were often seen along the road.

 

 

 

Goldfields

 

 

Bigelow's Coreopsis

 

 

And some Ceanothus blooming