This year’s California super bloom of wildflowers is like nothing I have ever seen before. While I have been making posts on Facebook and Instagram, I know that some of my followers practice life without social media. (What a concept!) I would like to share for the record a more permanent record of this extraordinary event.

During the winter months I live on the very southern end of the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains. Indian Wells Valley is in the very corner pocket of the Basin and Range geomorphic province. The towns of Ridgecrest, Inyokern, and Pearsonville are located in the Indian Wells Valley. This winter we have had close to 170% of normal rainfall. From a distance we can see the results as the slopes of the Sierra are painting in pastel hues.

Short Canyon

California Super Bloom, wildflowers, Mojave wildflowers, Short Canyon, Ridgecrest, Inyokern, Sierra Nevada, Indian Wells Valley

The above image shows Short Canyon, which will be our first foray. Highway 395 enters the lower right corner of the shot and heads toward the canyon. The horizontal cut along the slope on the left side of the photo is the Los Angeles aqueduct. Here are some shots from Short Canyon:

California Super Bloom, wildflowers, Mojave wildflowers, Short Canyon, Ridgecrest, Inyokern, Sierra Nevada, Indian Wells Valley
Indian Paintbrush easily screams for attention in a display of vibrant red
California Super Bloom, wildflowers, Mojave wildflowers, Short Canyon, Ridgecrest, Inyokern, Sierra Nevada, Indian Wells Valley
The California poppy’s are off the chart this year. Don’t go out too early or you will find them curled up and sleeping.
California Super Bloom, wildflowers, Mojave wildflowers, Short Canyon, Ridgecrest, Inyokern, Sierra Nevada, Indian Wells Valley
I call this one my “Monet shot”
California Super Bloom, wildflowers, Mojave wildflowers, Short Canyon, Ridgecrest, Inyokern, Sierra Nevada, Indian Wells Valley
The beauty of Short Canyon is that a very short walk from the trail
head to the top of the first hill will get you the best of the bloom. The remainder of the canyon is well worth the effort for those capable of longer hikes, but the bloom is at the beginning.
California Super Bloom, wildflowers, Mojave wildflowers, Short Canyon, Ridgecrest, Inyokern, Sierra Nevada, Indian Wells Valley
A view from my final perch on this morning. Carolyn is climbing the hill. She has been suffering from allergies since (six days now). The canyon trail goes up the cut on the left side of the photo. We are bushwhackers, always taking the trail less followed. It makes a difference.

Grapevine Canyon

A few days later we decide to explore some more canyons. Indian Wells Canyon is our first choice, but the rains that have yielded the California super bloom have destroyed the road as far as my Subaru is concerned. We choose instead to head up to Sand Canyon.

California Super Bloom, wildflowers, Mojave wildflowers, Ridgecrest, Inyokern, Sierra Nevada, Indian Wells Valley
Driving up Highway 14 toward Sand Canyon, I am once again taken with the colors displayed on the flanks of the Sierra
California Super Bloom, wildflowers, Mojave wildflowers, Ridgecrest, Inyokern, Sierra Nevada, Indian Wells Valley
The hills are alive, with the sound of music. Mellow Yellow, quite rightly.

In fact, Sand Canyon looks to be less bang for the buck, and a swollen stream puts the nail in that option’s coffin. We head south toward Grapevine Canyon. Turns out Grapevine Canyon is largely gated off as private property currently. (Several years ago we had the good fortune to explore its length). Undaunted, we take an aqueduct access road to find some color in the high country and hit pay dirt. Along the way, an unexpected and delightful surprise.

California Super Bloom, wildflowers, Mojave wildflowers, Ridgecrest, Inyokern, Sierra Nevada, desert tortoise, Indian Wells Valley
A wonderful surprise and rare treat to run across a desert tortoise. The smile on his face belies his joy at the super bloom.
California Super Bloom, wildflowers, Mojave wildflowers, Ridgecrest, Inyokern, Sierra Nevada, Grapevine Canyon, Indian Wells Valley
The upper slopes of Grapevine Canyon
Nestled poppies
California Super Bloom, wildflowers, Mojave wildflowers, Ridgecrest, Inyokern, Sierra Nevada, Grapevine Canyon, Indian Wells Valley
Exploring for the perfect composition really helps to focus the vision. Time well spent.
California Super Bloom, wildflowers, Mojave wildflowers, Ridgecrest, Inyokern, Sierra Nevada, Grapevine Canyon, Indian Wells Valley
Sometimes the subject is only the color. Another Monet shot.
California Super Bloom, wildflowers, Mojave wildflowers, Ridgecrest, Inyokern, Sierra Nevada, Grapevine Canyon, Indian Wells Valley
Final shot of the day is Carolyn heading home on the horizon. The clouds rivaled the flora momentarily for my attention toward composition.

Indian Wells Canyon

While our initial journey up Indian Wells Canyon got turned around initially, I returned the next day with a trail bike. I had to take another shot at reaching the colors at the far end that beckoned my imagination and desire.

California Super Bloom, wildflowers, Mojave wildflowers, Ridgecrest, Inyokern, Sierra Nevada, Indian Wells Canyon, Indian Wells Valley
Lots of yellow lining the upper ridges along the way into Indian Wells Canyon
California Super Bloom, wildflowers, Mojave wildflowers, Ridgecrest, Inyokern, Sierra Nevada, Indian Wells Canyon, Indian Wells Valley
The rains that brought us the bloom have also taken away the road. Two years ago we successfully drove all over this country in my Subaru. This year I do not believe my full-size Dodge would be happy. Small high clearance 4WD vehicles or my trail bike are best suited. Even on my motorcycle I was afeared of falling into a crevasse.
California Super Bloom, wildflowers, Mojave wildflowers, Ridgecrest, Inyokern, Sierra Nevada, Indian Wells Canyon, Indian Wells Valley, Joshua Tree
The prize is worth the effort.
California Super Bloom, wildflowers, Mojave wildflowers, Ridgecrest, Inyokern, Sierra Nevada, Indian Wells Canyon, Indian Wells Valley, Joshua Tree
The Wizard of Oz comes to mind amid all these poppy’s. One does not want to fall asleep though. Too many Cholla cactus to roll over on.
California Super Bloom, wildflowers, Mojave wildflowers, Ridgecrest, Inyokern, Sierra Nevada, Indian Wells Canyon, Indian Wells Valley, Joshua Tree
The road less traveled
California Super Bloom, wildflowers, Mojave wildflowers, Ridgecrest, Inyokern, Sierra Nevada, Indian Wells Canyon, Indian Wells Valley, Joshua Tree
subtle purples beckoned me beyond the danger of the road crevasses
California Super Bloom, wildflowers, Mojave wildflowers, Ridgecrest, Inyokern, Sierra Nevada, Indian Wells Canyon, Indian Wells Valley, Joshua Tree
Even the Joshua Trees are in full bloom
California Super Bloom, wildflowers, Mojave wildflowers, Ridgecrest, Inyokern, Sierra Nevada, Indian Wells Canyon, Indian Wells Valley, Joshua Tree
… and I have never seen blooms such as these on a Joshua Tree
California Super Bloom, wildflowers, Mojave wildflowers, Ridgecrest, Inyokern, Sierra Nevada, Indian Wells Canyon, Indian Wells Valley
Carpets of color and an occasional variant holding their ground against insurmountable odds
California Super Bloom, wildflowers, Mojave wildflowers, Ridgecrest, Inyokern, Sierra Nevada, Indian Wells Canyon, Indian Wells Valley
What would Van Gogh see?

On the side

… and a few along Highway 395 between Johannesburg and Ridgecrest. A veritable carpet of color.

I always think of Kamehameha at times like these
goldenfields?
Phacelia

And every time I think I am done, it turns out I am not. One more shot of the Sierra’s from Indian Wells Valley and Ridgecrest. It is still happening. Full disclosure, I Photoshopped this image to remove the cut along the hillside provided by the city of Los Angeles for the DWP aqueduct. Apologies, but not really.

Along Jack’s Ranch Road; Ridgecrest, CA

Walker Pass

There is gold in them thar hills
Joshua Tree bloom
Hwy 178 heading into Indian Wells Valley viewed from the Pacific Crest Trail

In closing I count my blessings each and every day, and especially on days such as these. I am blessed to have such a backyard. While the LA Times promotes super blooms in Death Valley and 40,000+ people show up to oogle the wonderment, Carolyn and I have had the privilege and pleasure to step out of our door and enjoy the wilderness largely alone. Weekends are busy, and posts such as these will do little to keep the secret safe, but weekdays are the rewards for the retired. Happy trails!

Spring is nature’s way of saying “Let’s party!”
-Robin Williams

Full resolution images can be viewed (and even purchased?) on my Smug Mug Gallery: California Super Bloom 2019

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