Page Revised: 7/14/06

 

Available Sites

Upper Zuma Canyon
Topanga State Park
Circle X Ranch
Rancho Sierra Vista
Cold Creek Preserve
Upper Solstice Canyon
Cheeseboro/Palo Comado Cyns
Leo Carrillo State Park

Date of Review

7/14/06.
7/5/06 & 6/12/06 & 6/5/06.
6/30/06 & 6/24/06 & 6/15/06.
6/28/06.
6/22/06 & 6/1/06.
6/14/06.
6/7/06.
6/2/06.

What's Blooming photo gallery: www.nps.gov/samo/bloom/bloom.htm
What's Blooming archive: www.nps.gov/samo/bloom/archive/index.htm
Calendar of Events in the Santa Monica Mountains: www.nps.gov/samo/outdoors

 

Upper Zuma Canyon

Backbone Trail between

Kanan and Mulholland

  Date: 7/14/06

 

 

        Backbone Trail from Kanan Rd. Trailhead west to Mulholland Rd.

This is a good hike for the warmer months of summer as quite a bit of it is shaded. The cooler and wetter areas associated with the Oak woodland and Riparian ecosystems allow spring plants to hold on longer than in the drier and hotter ecosystems. However, same conditions also allow poison oak to thrive, and while most of the trail is wide enough to make it easy to stay out of the foliage there are a couple of places where the trail is narrow and the oak is right at the trail’s edge. In addition, the west end also passes through the drier Chaparral and Sage Scrub ecosystems providing quite a large variety of plants over the length of this section of trail. The relatively low density of flowers we saw might have dropped this trail’s rating down to fair at the height of the blooming season, but this is a pretty good showing for the summer months.

        Some of the flowering highlights include Toyon, heat-leaved penstemon, chalk dudleya, chamise, cliff aster, elegant clarkia, hedge nettle, bush monkey flower, branching phacelia, slender sunflower, bush mallow, scarlet larkspur, twiggy wreath plant, Plummer’s mariposa lily, golden yarrow, common madia, California wild rose, cream bush, checker bloom, snow berry, coffee berry, Fish’s milkwort, chaparral honeysuckle, perezia, bird’s beak, hillside penstemon, Indian pink, woolly blue curls, California buckwheat, wild morning glory, and narrow-leaved milkweed. All told about sixty plants in bloom.  (TV)

 

Naturalist's rating:  Good

 

Topanga State Park

Musch Trail

  Date: 7/5/06

 

 

        I was on the Musch Trail early this morning - I hadn't been up there for several weeks, and I was amazed at how beautiful it was. There is not a large variety of blooming plants, but there are great displays - huge masses of California Everlasting and California Buckwheat interspersed  with enough Black Sage, Heart Leaved Penstemon, and Monkey Flower to make it very dramatic. There is Scarlet Larkspur and still a little Notable Penstemon about halfway to the top. Quite a treat.  (LH).

 

Naturalist's rating:  Good

 

Circle X Ranch

Triunfo Backbone Trail

  Date: 6/30/06

 

 

        Many of the spring flowers have dried up for the season although a few can still be found scattered about if one looks carefully. We are beginning to see good numbers of some of the true summer flowers like twiggy wreath plant, cliff aster, slender tarweed, and scarlet larkspur. This trail passes principally through dry coastal sage scrub and chaparral with little relief from the sun. The trail was brushed a couple of months back but some sections have grown back with a bit of thistle and foxtail. I still wear shorts while hiking this trail but I also wear gators to protect my socks. For some people long pants might be in order. When I was there I saw quite a few butterflies including both checkers and swallowtails.

        Except for some of the shrubs like bush monkey flower, chamise, laurel sumac, black sage, and California buckwheat most of the flowers are scattered about in rather low numbers. Flower highlights include, Plummer's mariposa lily, California chicory, branching phacelia, good numbers of both speckled clarkia and farewell-to-spring, masses of golden yarrow, yellow monkey flower, hedge nettle, perezia, rock rose, lance-leaf dudleya, wild morning glory, Turkish rugging, purple nightshade, woolly blue curls, bush mallow, a lot of canyon sunflower, some slender sunflower, pitcher sage, bird’s beak, toyon, western thistle, elderberry, heart-leaved penstemon, California fuchsia, California thistle, and the dramatic native bleeding heart. All told about sixty species in bloom.  (BC & TV)

 

Naturalist's rating:  Good

 

Rancho Sierra Vista

Misc. Trails

  Date: 6/28/06

 

 

        Trails hiked include the Wendy Trail, portions of the Satwiwa Loop Trail, The Hidden Valley Overlook Trail, and portions of the Ranch Overlook Trail. Many of the spring flowers have dried up for the season although a few can still be found scattered about if one looks carefully. These trails pass principally through dry grasslands, coastal sage scrub, and chaparral with little relief from the sun. The sections closest to the trailheads are also the areas that are most disturbed and consequently there is more "weedy" non-natives there. Once you go south into the chaparral you begin to see more of the native wildflowers. Highlights include hyssop loosestrife, turkey mullein, California wild rose, California blackberry, bush mallow, narrow-leaved milkweed, purple sage, black sage, California everlasting, elderberry, yarrow, golden yarrow, wild morning glory, horehound, bush monkey flower, canyon sunflower, heart-leaved penstemon, hedge nettle, common vervain, deerweed, perezia, Plummer's mariposa lily, cliff aster, purple nightshade, scarlet larkspur, slender tarweed, California collarless poppy, chamise, and laurel sumac. All told about forty species in bloom..  (TV)

 

Naturalist's rating:  Fair

 

Circle X Ranch

Canyon View Trail

  Date: 6/24/06

 

 

        Many of the spring flowers have dried up for the season although a few can still be found scattered about if one looks carefully. Some of the true summer flowers have not gotten off to a proper start yet and consequently we are between seasons, so to speak. This trail and most of the Grotto trail have been recently brushed so it is again a pleasure to hike them in shorts. Until the Canyon View trail joins the upper section of the Grotto trail there is not much shade during the heat of the day. In the morning and evening the trail twists around enough that the steep hillsides above the trail can provide quite a bit of shade. The creeks still have water in them and this provides a pleasant variety to a trail that otherwise passes principally through dry coastal sage scrub and chaparral. Just below the campgrounds I saw the largest alligator lizard I have ever seen sunning himself on a rock. This guy, typical of the breed, allowed me to get quite close before scuttling off into the bushes. Except for some of the shrubs like bush monkey flower, deerweed, chamise, black sage, and California buckwheat, most of the flowers are scattered about in rather low numbers. Flower highlights include scarlet larkspur, Plummer's mariposa lily, yucca, California chicory, cliff aster, Parry's phacelia, purple clarkia, elegant clarkia, golden stars, masses of golden yarrow, yellow monkey flower, creek monkey flower, annual paintbrush, white hedge nettle, rock rose, lance-leaf dudleya, wild morning glory, heart-leaved penstemon, Turkish rugging, California wild rose, both purple and white nightshade, woolly blue curls, bush mallow, slender tarweed, and canyon sunflower. All told well over fifty species in bloom.  (TV)

 

Naturalist's rating:  Fair

 

Circle X Ranch

Grotto Trail

  Date: 6/24/06

 

 

        We are now moving away from the dramatic early Spring flowering season and into the more subdued displays of Summer. As such, the shady area near the Grotto becomes a lot more attractive as it gets hotter. The creek and falls still have a lot of water in them and the tadpoles and newts are a delight for the young among us. When I was down among the huge live oaks near the Grotto one of my favorites, the house wren, was singing up a storm. Many of the flowers reported earlier are now on the way out but in compensation we are beginning to see some of the very beautiful flowers that appear later in the season. Among these are the clarkias and lilies, several of which are now showing up on the Grotto Trail. In addition, right now we are getting a pretty amazing second bloom of the greenbark ceanothus. Indeed, it rivals a first bloom of some previous years. Including the flowers encountered on the dirt road leading down to the campgrounds we saw a respectable seventy species in bloom. Highlights included golden yarrow, sugar bush, several different monkey flowers, California buckwheat. deerweed, yucca, black sage, sunflowers, chamise, white and purple nightshades, a few early woolly asters, elegant and purple clarkias, wild morning glory, California blackberry, blue-eyed grass, blue dicks, red skinned onion, chinese houses, angels gilia, lance-leaf dudleya, elderberry, Catalina mariposa lily, heart-leaved penstemon, and crimson pitcher sage.  (TV)

 

Naturalist's rating:  Good

 

Cold Creek Preserve

Stunt High Trail

  Date: 6/22/06

 

 

        I keep expecting things to peter out but the trail is still going strong.  At the trailhead are purple sage, California buckwheat, chamise and elegant clarkia.  In fact the trail belongs to the elegant clarkia this week, it is everywhere.  Forget that it signals the end of spring flowers and enjoy its beauty.  On the creekside trail the elegant clarkia are joined by morning glory, deerweed, golden yarrow, sticky monkey flower and California everlasting.  There is quite a bit of milkwort, a small beautiful flower that I haven't seen here before.  There are some magnificent Humboldt lilies as well as heart leaf penstemon, black sage, chaparral honey suckle and Indian pink.  Stepping down to the creek itself there are some exquisite stream orchids and lovely scarlet monkey flower.  Climbing into the chaparral we find that it too belongs to the Clarkia genus this time purple clarkia, speckled clarkia and farewell to spring.  There are also golden stars, slender tarweed, bush mallow, hummingbird sage, slender sunflower, sapphire wool stars, woolly blue curls, scarlet bugler and scarlet larkspur.  There was even a large notable penstemon in full bloom, months after it should be finished.  (DS)

 

Naturalist's rating:  Good

 

Circle X Ranch

Mishe Mokwa Trail

  Date: 6/15/06

 

 

        Many of the spring flowers have dried up for the season although a few can still be found scattered about if one looks carefully. Some of the true summer flowers have not gotten off to a proper start yet and consequently we are between seasons, so to speak. Some sections of the trail provide quite a bit of shade, but once you get up toward the ridge there is not much relief from the sun. On a hot day I’ll carry almost a gallon of water. The creek at split rock still has water in it and makes the picnic table in the shade under the oaks a very pleasant for lunch. There are a couple of places where poison oak hangs out over the trail (notably near split rock) and you really have to be on the watch and be able to identify it by sight to avoid getting into it. Except for some of the shrubs like Pitcher sage, bush monkey flower, deerweed, chamise, black sage, and California buckwheat, most of the flowers are scattered about in rather low numbers. Flower highlights include yellow mariposa lily, Humboldt lily, soap plant, sapphire wool stars, linanthus, woolly blue curls, yucca, purple clarkia, golden yarrow, golden stars, Turkish rugging, slender tarweed, yellow monkey flower, lance-leaf dudleya, Parry's phacelia, caterpillar phacelia, purple and white nightshades, speckled clarkia, willow-herb clarkia, cliff aster, angel's gilia, yellow pincushion, sticky cinquefoil, chaparral honeysuckle, Fish's milkwort, rock rose, chinese houses, blue larkspur, snowberry, wild morning glory, California blackberry, California wild rose, cobweb thistle, bush lupine, bush mallow, rose snapdragon, wild brodiaea, garden toadflax, and purple owl's-clover. Almost ninety species in bloom.  (TV)

 

Naturalist's rating:  Good

 

Upper Solstice Canyon

Backbone Trail

  Date: 6/14/06

 

 

        I was so awed by the fire following flowers when I visited three weeks ago that I made a return visit.  Things have changed.  The large flower phacelia cover an even more extensive area.  White pincushion which we didn't see last time is blooming in profusion.  However the small evening primrose are almost finished, there is very little twining snapdragon or globe gilia and no Brewers red maids to be found. 

     Moving out of the burned area the chaparral boasts a lot of slender sunflower and Turkish rugging along with golden yarrow, California buckwheat and California everlasting.

     This time we went deeper into the canyon and found a delightful full stream running surrounded by blooming flowers: Purple, elegant and willow herb clarkia, the lovely canchalagua and sapphire wool stars as well as sticky madia, fiesta flower, blue larkspur, Indian pinks, hummingbird sage, Indian paintbrush, Chinese houses, and blue eyed grass.  Being by the stream is refreshing but don't forget to plan for the uphill climb out.  (DS)

 

Naturalist's rating:  Good

 

Topanga State Park

Temescal Canyon Loop Trail

  Date: 6/12/06

 

 

        I was amazed at how much was in bloom in the well traveled canyon.  There is nothing that is terribly unusual but that deficit is compensated by the profusion of flowers in bloom.  Entering the trail there are wild rose, vervain hedge nettle, black sage and purple nightshade.  Heading up to the waterfall there was yucca, caterpillar phacelia, sticky monkey flower, California everlasting, golden yarrow, greenbark ceanothus, Indian pinks and scarlet monkey flower.  Near the waterfall we found a California newt, something I have never observed in this creek.  Climbing further there is deerweed, elder flower, cliff aster, morning glory and canyon sunflower.  Coming down through the chaparral there was bush sunflower, wishbone flower, white nightshade, violet snapdragon, woolly blue curls, Turkish rugging, Parry's phacelia, mallow, California bee plant and blue eyed grass.  There were a large number of lizards sighted on the chaparral side including a horned lizard.  (DS)

 

Naturalist's rating:  Good

 

Cheeseboro &

Palo Comado Canyons

Various north-end trails

  Date: 6/7/06

 

 

        We are now moving away from the dramatic displays of the early Spring flowering season and into the more subdued displays of Summer. Many of the flowers reported earlier are now on the way out but in compensation we begin to see some of the very beautiful Summer flowers. Among these are the clarkias, penstemons and lilies, several of which are now showing up in the north end of Cheeseboro. Trails visited include the Albertson Motorway, Palo Comado Canyon Trail, Sheep Corral Trail, Cheeseboro Ridge Trail, Sulfur Springs Trail, and Cheeseboro Canyon Trail. Much of the lower section of this unit is literally choked with non-native grasses and weeds but if you get up to the Northern end you are rewarded with some very nice wildflower displays. Some sections of some of the trails are quite good right now, but overall the quality of the flower display was quite variable from place to place. Be aware that much of this unit was burned in last fall's fires and has not been fully reopened for visitor use. Be sure to read all posted signs to avoid entering closed areas. Some of the burned areas are especially fragile right now.

        The vicinity of the intersection of Sheep Corral Trail and Palo Comado Trails was quite good at least until we dropped back down into the depths of the burn. It is interesting to see how some of the burned areas are coming back primarily as non-native weeds, but in other areas the native wildflowers are holding their own. My own curiosity will certainly keep me watching the burned areas as the year progresses. Similarly, sections of the Albertson Motorway vary considerably, but none as bad as the weed choked lower end of the unit. Right now the Sulfur Springs Trail is doing fairly well but it too is showing signs of drying up. Many of the species blooming earlier in the season have finished up for the year or are only lightly represented now. Highlights include lupines, paintbrush, datura, purple nightshade, blue dick, primroses, popcorn flowers, golden stars, heart-leaved and hillside penstemons, scarlet bugler, Rein orchid, and phacelias. The sages are doing very well now as are the mariposa lilies, clarkias, monkey flowers, morning glory, sunflowers, pincushions, golden stars, hooked navarretia, sapphire wool stars, yucca, snapdragons, yarrow and even a few early scarlet larkspur.  (TV)

 

Naturalist's rating:  Poor to Good

 

Topanga State Park

Santa Ynez Trail

  Date: 6/5/06

 

 

        This cool dark canyon makes a great summer hike and is also worth a look in spring.  At the trail head there is sticky monkey flower, lupine and deerweed.  Once you get to the creek there is hedge nettle and white hedge nettle, purple nightshade, canyon sunflower, golden yarrow, black sage and elder flower.  There is some lovely scarlet monkey flower, California buckwheat, sweet pea, white nightshade, wild rose, caterpillar phacelia and heart leaf penstemon.  The Humboldt lilies are just starting and the ones in bloom all seem to be dangling above the trail.  There is also cinquefoil and large flower phacelia.  Leaving the riparian area the trail rises into the chaparral.  There you find chamise, owls clover, Turkish rugging and white and yellow pin cushion.  There is quite a bit of white snapdragon and scarlet bugler with dudleya and golden stars peeping through.  There is one patch each of fleabane aster and sapphire wool stars.  The riparian area is always a good place to look for butterflies and the chaparral to look for lizards and snakes.  (DS)

 

Naturalist's rating:  Good

 

Leo Carrillo State Park

Nicholas Flat Trail

  Date: 6/2/06

 

 

        Leo Carrillo Campground to Nicholas Flat. The hike begins with a series of switchbacks up to a ridge. Wild Rose and Gumplant can be seen in the beginning followed by Deerweed, Mustard, Monkey Flower, Purple Nightshade, Sow Thistle, California Everlasting and Ashy Buckwheat. Large clusters of Purple and Black Sage line the trail interspersed with Morning Glory, Mariposa Lily and Indian Paintbrush. Approaching the ridge we saw Scarlet Bugler and Southern Calif. Locoweed which had finished blooming but had numerous seed pods. Along the ridge we saw California Bay Laurel, Greenbark Ceanothus, Golden Yarrow, Bush Sunflower, Parry's Phacelia and many Chaparral Yucca in full bloom. During a second set of switchbacks which take you up to Nicholas Flat we encountered a magnificent show of Purple Clarkia. On the final approach to the Flat we saw Hedge Nettle, Crimson Pitcher Sage, Blue Eyed Grass, Yarrow, Red Stem Filaree, Scarlet Pimpernel, Tomcat Clover, Wooly Blue Curl, Italian Thistle and Common Vervain.  Many of the plants were in their last stages of flowering - we were on this trail four weeks ago and while the show is diminished, it is still beautiful and worth the uphill effort. Just beware of the heat - you are almost fully exposed to the sun for the three miles up. You'll also have expansive views of the ocean and the Boney Mountains on the way back down.  (R&AT)

 

Naturalist's rating:  Good

 

Cold Creek Preserve &
Saddle Peak Area

Stunt High Trail & others

  Date: 6/1/06

 

 

        On the first day of June, 2006 we hiked three trails which are accessed from trailheads on Stunt Rd, most in the Cold Creek Preserve. Our objective was to check for Stream orchids first in the Cold Creek Preserve then to check out the status of the chaparral peas on Saddleback Peak area and finally to see if the brick red monkey flower found last year on the trail to Topanga lookout was still extant. I am pleased to report that all three objectives were met with outstanding results. A large stand of Stream orchids, consisting of about two dozen plants, all in full bloom were located along the creek about a quarter of a mile above the lower gate to the trail. Up near the top of Saddleback Peak dozens of profusely blooming chaparral peas were on display and finally the brick red bush monkey flower was found in full bloom, but with smaller flowers this year than last. Not only did we meet our objectives, but we also recorded a total of 76 different species during the course of the hikes. The flowers were abundant and in some cases, such as the Spanish broom, were overpowering in color and fragrance. With almost no wind blowing the bouquet from  the broom was almost suffocating.

        Just walking from the parking area to the gate (up the trail to the Stream orchids) we spotted heart-leaved penstemon, golden yarrow, California everlasting, morning glory, greenbark ceanothus, hedge mustard, red brome, sow thistle, Clarkia (Farewell-to-spring?), mustard evening primrose, caterpillar phacelia, red stem filaree, bush monkey flower, rip-gut brome, California buckwheat, coast goosefoot, slender-leaf bedstraw, black mustard, sour clover, yellow star thistle, canyon sunflower and cliff aster. Entering the gate we saw purple sage, fern leaf phacelia, eucrypta, scarlet pimpernel, minute-flowered popcorn flower, common bed straw, purple night shade, white nightshade, fiesta flower, giant horsetail, wild blackberry, watercress and finally the stream orchids

        Returning to the car we drove up to the parking area near the intersection of Schueren Rd and Stunt Rd. Hiking up toward Saddleback Peak we Saw Italian thistle, elderberry, deerweed, slender oats, yellow Mariposa lily, chamise, black sage, blue dick, lance-leaf live-forever, prickly phlox, Harding grass, hairy leaf ceanothus, Catalina Mariposa lily, bush lupine, bigpod ceanothus, winter vetch and some escaped African daisies. Also seen was fountain grass, foxtail barley, lots of Spanish broom, wild oats, sticky madia, Chilean clover, wild sweet pea, Indian pink and then the large quantities of chaparral pea. Continuing up toward the top of the mountain we saw southern Tauschia, wooly blue curls, Eastwood manzanita, blue larkspur, silver puff, large-flowered lotus, bur clover, bush poppy, golden star and milk thistle.

        We returned to the car and entered the trail to Topanga lookout. Entering on the macadam road we noted holly-leaved redberry, virgin's bower, chaparral honeysuckle, California filago, yucca and finally the brick red bush monkey flower (UTM coordinates 49026E, 73046N at 2454 feet altitude).

        This hike rates an excellent on the bloom-o-meter.  (RWM)

 

Naturalist's rating:  Excellent

 


 

Contact Information:

 

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

 

401 West Hillcrest Drive
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

 

805-370-2301

 

www.nps.gov/samo

 

Thank you

 

for your contributions:

 

 

Bonnie Clarfield
Burt Elliot
Dorothy Steinicke
Greg Sweel
Jack Gillooly
Judy Joy Lively
Kathy Jonokuchi
Ken Low
Lynne Haigh
Matt Friedman
Michael Charters
Ralph Waycott
Richard & Agnes Thaler
Robert W. Maughmer
Sheila Braden
Tony Valois

If you would like to contribute to the wildflower report:

 

e-mail:
Tony_Valois@partner.nps.gov

 

or phone Tony at 310-457-6408