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Available Sites |
Date of Review |
Site Revised: 10/29/04 |
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Circle X Ranch |
10/22/04 & 10/13/04 |
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See the photo
gallery of What’s Blooming at: http://www.nps.gov/samo/bloom/bloom.htm |
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The Rec
Area has seen enough rain that the creeks and falls are now running in many
areas. The ground in exposed areas is turning green as we begin to see a
wealth of small plants poking through the damp soil. By this weekend many of
the trails will have dried enough to be free of the worst of the mud. The
cool fall weather helps make strenuous hiking more safe and enjoyable. |
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Circle X Ranch |
Grotto Trail |
Date
Observed:10/22/04 |
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The recent
rain and cooler weather has made everything feel fresh and clean. The sunny
sides of slopes are showing a multitude of tiny green plants that have sprouted
in the last few days. However, it seems even the summer bloomers are running
out now, many of which are down to a few isolated individuals still blooming
when most of their siblings have already gone to seed. In addition, many of
the individuals still blooming are a bit faded and/or wilted. At the top end
of the trail you can still find Milk-asters (both Tejon and Twiggy Wreath
Plant) and the similar Cliff-Aster. The Woolly Asters are looking a bit faded
but are still easy to find. Only a few Sawtooth Goldenbush are still
blooming, most instead showing their brown dandelion-like seed heads. The
California Fuchsia is still plentiful adding a striking red to the landscape.
Down near the grotto we encounter California Sagebrush and Wand Buckwheat.
The tadpoles are at last gone but the pools of the creek are all full again
and the sound of water is everywhere. |
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Naturalist's
rating: Poor |
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Rancho Sierra Vista / Point Mugu State Park |
Upper Sycamore Canyon Trail |
Date Observed:10/20/04 |
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This hike was
done on a very overcast morning during a respite between the showers of a
multi-day storm. Starting from the inner most parking lot at Rancho Sierra
Vista, hike to the Sycamore Canyon Road and turn left on Old Boney Road just
before the Sycamore Canyon Road starts downhill. You will be returning up
this hill. Hike along the rim of the canyon, up a steep hill, then down into
the canyon. As Boney Road begins to level out in the canyon turn right on the
narrow Sycamore Canyon Trail. There are almost no flowers, but the green of
many trees is deepening, contrasting with the pastel colors of fallen leaves
and grasses. The pink of the Ashyleaf Buckwheat merges nicely with the other
pastels. Occasionally brilliant scarlet California Fuchsia is seen with the
flowers bowed from being pummeled by the rain. The stream is running for the
first time in many months, but by the fourth crossing is again underground.
Turn right at the Big Sycamore Canyon Road and hike back to the start. One
can always count on seeing the yellow bloom of the Telegraph Weed along the
road. Out in the open now, Coyote Brush is beginning to add its bright white
to the scene. The soil on this hike drains well and what little mud is
present is easily avoided. It can be hiked even in light rain. (BE) |
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Naturalist's
rating: Poor |
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Circle X Ranch |
Sandstone Peak Trail |
Date
Observed:10/13/04 |
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It seems even
the summer bloomers are running out now, many of which are down to a few
isolated individuals still blooming when most of their siblings had already
gone to seed for the season. In addition, many of the individuals still
blooming are a bit faded and/or wilted This is a good time of year to see if
you can identify plants when in seed. Nevertheless, we saw a few saw examples
of Bush Senecio, Twiggy Wreath Plant, Tejon Milk Aster, Wooly Aster, Sawtooth
Golden Bush, and California Buckwheat. (TV) |
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Naturalist's
rating: Poor |
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Point Mugu State Park |
La Jolla Canyon Trail |
Date
Observed: 10/12/04
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On 10/12/04 we hiked the La Jolla
Canyon Trail to the Large pond at the north end of the trail and returned via
one of the loop trails. The degree of the present drought was evidenced by
the total lack of water in the pond. Over the last 6 years I have never seen
this pond dry, but this year the cracked mud bottom was fully exposed. The
little pond and spring about 0.6 miles north of the trail head was also
completely dry, another first. Despite these outward signs of the drought a
surprising number of blooms were encountered along the trail, 23 different
species to be exact. This is more than were seen on hikes in July and August
this year. The yellow blooms were the dominant
group and included sawtooth goldenbush, telegraph weed, Calif. sage brush,
sweet fennel, tree tobacco, western goldenrod, hedge mustard, gum plant, and
ragweed. White flowers seen were morning glory, ashy-leaved buckwheat, coyote
bush, mule flat, cud weed, cliff aster and laurel sumac. Even reds were
represented with scarlet monkey flower, hoary fuchsia, and wand buckwheat
being spotted. Wooly aster, vervain, Calif. loosestrife and several bush
mallow represented the lavender/purple colors. The wildlife seen included brush
rabbits, groups of tits, and one granddaddy of a Calif. whiptail lizards that
must have been 16 to 18 inches long. I don't know where the wild life is
getting its water, but it seems to be plentiful with lots of deer tracks also
seen. (RWM) |
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Naturalist's
rating: Fair |
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Paramount Ranch |
Coyote Canyon Trail |
Date
Observed: 10/11/2004 |
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The hillside
behind the meadow and the Coyote Canyon Trail are covered with large yellow hawkfield tarweed flowers interspersed with blue flowers
of chicory. The trail has a very nice patch of vinegar weed. Also blooming
were coast goldenbush, bush mallow and ashy leaf buckwheat. (SB) |
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Naturalist's
rating: Fair |
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Rancho Sierra Vista |
Native Plant Garden |
Date
Observed: 10/11/2004 |
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Reliable water
brings out continual bloom here. You'll see both spring (fuchsia flowered
gooseberry, verbain, California wild rose, sticky
monkey flower, purple sage, bladderpod, yerba mansa) and summer blooms
(California fuchsia, conejo buckwheat, wand buckwheat) as well as dried
berries (rose hips) and pods (yerba mansa, narrow-leaved milkweed) (SB) |
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Contact Information: Santa Monica Mountains National
Recreation Area 401 West Hillcrest Drive Ph. 805-370-2301 web. www.nps.gov/samo |
Thank you for your contributions: Robert W. Maughmer |
If you would like to contribute
to the wildflower report: e-mail: sheila_braden@nps.gov |
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