Suggestions for late April scenic/wildflower run

May have a few day to get away with the wife in late April. Thinking maybe a wild flower/scenic trail area, looking for suggestions.

- moderate scenic trail, low stress but don't want to be passing by families in mini-vans. A rocky spot here or there is always good.
- somewhere within 3 hr range from OC
- decent to nice hotel/resturaunts for base
- day run trails through or to wildflower areas (if we are not too late) and/or other cool stuff to see

Anybody have some suggestions?

Little research shows Anza Borrego is most likely place that time of year.

I know there are alot of SD guys in here.....give me some direction.

Moderate, scenic trail selection. Good place to stay/eat, etc.

Out east of Indio Chiriaco Summit & Red Cloud area...

They're popping right now...

Curt

Anza Borrego Desert State Park has many trails. Blair Valley and Pinyon Mountain trail up to the "Squeeze" will probably have the best flowers. They are higher and farther west. The mini-van trail is Blair Valley loop, but if you get their before noon you will beat the "crowds". Also, late April will be the tail end of the season, so the # of visitors will probably have dropped off. There are a couple of short hikes off of this loop too. Mortero's(easy), Pictograph(easy), and a Cabin trail(moderate/strenuous).

There are other trails that may have less traffic. Canyon Sin Nombre is easy, as well as Arroyo Seco del Diablo & Arroyo Tapiado. These are all at lower elevation and farther East, so the flower displays will likely be less impressive.

You could do Pinyon Mountain road up to the "Squeeze". Do not go through the squeeze unless you are in a group, and people know where you are heading. This is not a run to take solo(one way and hostile climate can lead to trouble if you have a problem). People have disappeared in this canyon and have yet to be found(vehicles found, bodies not)

I found this link for all sorts of lodging in Borrego:
http://www.borregospringschamber.com/lodging.html

The Anza Borrego Desert State Park website:
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=638

Charles B.

If you don't mind camping for a weekend, a really great option is Webdog's Mojave Road trip mid April. PM for details, but there should be great wildflowers then.

Great info. Thanks

HeepSpeed said:

If you don't mind camping for a weekend, a really great option is Webdog's Mojave Road trip mid April. PM for details, but there should be great wildflowers then.

Click to expand...

Yea it should be amazing out there.

I would love to take the fam but the wifes 3 months prego.maybe next spring withthe new bundle