Soon after leaving the trailhead on Old Mitchell Camp Rd
we were welcomed by Giant Four O’clock (Mirabilis multiflora),
followed by California Evening Primrose (Oenothera californica),
Parish Milkvetch (Astragalus douglasii var. parishii),
a showy Lupine species in white
and blue
and Acton Encelia (Encelia actoni).
After passing dry Adobe Springs
and Pyramid Peak
we caught our first glimpse of Beauty Mountain.
Between dominant Red Shank (Adenostoma sparsifolium) there were also a few Big-berry Manzanitas (Arctostaphylos glauca).
While Fringed Spineflower (Chorizanthe fimbriata var. fimbriata)
usually forms a dense carpet,
it’s a cute little plant when growing by itself.
Beauty Mtn became more dominant (here with the ubiquitous California Buckwheat and Golden Yarrow in the foreground),
but we picked a view of Oak Grove Valley as our lunch spot.
On the way back we stopped for Golden-bowl Mariposa Lily (Calochortus concolor)
and Prickly Poppy (Argemone munita),
topping off the show.
Narration and photos by Jürgen Schrenk
Chihuahua Valley offers lots of trails. We revisited one where we expected a good wildflower display.