In a field of Cream Cups (Platystemon californicus)
This was our second trip to Harford Springs Reserve in the Gavilan Hills area about 15 miles north of Lake Elsinore via Hwy. 74. While everyone's been flocking to Walker Canyon Road for the poppy Super Bloom this Spring, this place, IMHO, is even more spectacular in its floral splendor and has largely been overlooked, which is totally fine by me. It's a bit off the beaten path (i.e., not off a major freeway like I-15) and required just a wee bit of hiking for us to access the expansive fields of Cream Cups and California poppies. I was also on the hunt for the endangered endemic Munz's Onion (Allium munzii) but had no luck locating any. We did come across a group from the Riverside-San Bernardino County chapter of the CA Native Plant Society along the trail, but their leader did not want to disclose the location of the Munz's Onions due to people trampling over them of late with reckless disregard. Totally understandable but very sad for those of us who just want to admire and appreciate them from a respectable distance on the trail. I have a notion where they might be growing and hope to come across them one day. Mum is the word!
Trailhead at main entrance off Gavilan Road
Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica), trailhead at main entry
Horehound (Marrubium vulgare), a naturalized non-native
Trailhead at main entry
Gil and Sasha, trailhead at main entry
California Goosefoot (Chenopodium californicum), trailhead at main entrance
Small-flowered Common Fiddleneck (Amsinckia menziesii)
Wishbone Bush (Mirabilis laevis)
Cane Cholla (Cylindropuntia californica var. parkeri)
Golden Yarrow (Eriophyllum confertiflorum)
Water in seasonal creek.
Silver Puffs (Uropappus lindleyi)
Rock "Art"
California Sagebrush (Artemisia californica)
Southern Suncups (Camissoniopsis bistorta)
Cane Cholla (Cylindropuntia californica var. parkeri)
Cane Cholla (Cylindropuntia californica var. parkeri)
Wild Canterbury Bells (Phacelia minor)
Creeping Wildrye (Elymus triticoides)
Bowlesia (Bowlesia incana)
Common Eucrypta (Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia)
Seasonal creek across Coyote Trail. We had to walk over a couple strategically placed but rather unstable boards to get across.
Yerba Mansa (Anemopsis californica) in the creek
Wild Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus)
Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)
Non-native (native to Eurasia)
Dobie Pod (Tropidocarpum gracile)
Slender Pod Jewelflower (Caulanthus heterophyllus)
Southern Suncups (Camissoniopsis bistorta)
Common Phacelia (Phacelia distans)
Goldfields (Lasthenia californica)
California Mustard (Guillenia lasiophylla)
California poppies (Eschscholzia californica)
Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophila menziesii)
Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophila menziesii)
Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophila menziesii)
Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophila menziesii)
Cream Cups (Platystemon californicus)
Cream Cups (Platystemon californicus)
Cream Cups (Platystemon californicus)
Cream Cups (Platystemon californicus)
Cream Cups (Platystemon californicus)
Cream Cups (Platystemon californicus)
Cream Cups (Platystemon californicus)
Cream Cups (Platystemon californicus)
Cream Cups (Platystemon californicus)
Cream Cups (Platystemon californicus)
Cream Cups (Platystemon californicus)
Cream Cups (Platystemon californicus)
Cream Cups (Platystemon californicus)
Cream Cups (Platystemon californicus)
Cream Cups (Platystemon californicus)
Cream Cups (Platystemon californicus)
Cream Cups (Platystemon californicus)
Cream Cups (Platystemon californicus)
Cream Cups (Platystemon californicus)
Cream Cups (Platystemon californicus)
Angel's/Chaparral Gilia (Gilia angelensis)
California Juniper (Juniperus californica)
California Juniper (Juniperus californica)
Branching Phacelia (Phacelia ramosissima)
Strigose Lotus/Bishop Lotus (Lotus strigosus)
Wild Canterbury Bell (Phacelia minor)
Hoary-leaf Ceanothus (Ceanothus crassifolius)
Hoary-leaf Ceanothus (Ceanothus crassifolius)
Cream Cups (Platystemon californicus)
Cream Cups (Platystemon californicus)
Cream Cups (Platystemon californicus)
Cream Cups (Platystemon californicus)
Cream Cups (Platystemon californicus)
Cream Cups (Platystemon californicus)
Red Maids (Calandrinia ciliata)
Red Maids (Calandrinia ciliata)
Red Maids (Calandrinia ciliata)
Chia (Salvia columbariae)
Blue Dicks (Dichelostemma capitatum)
Black Hair Nettle (Hesperocnide tenella)
Bowlesia (Bowlesia incana) and Black Hair Nettle (Hesperocnide tenella)
Johnny Jump-Up (Viola peduncuata)
Johnny Jump-Up (Viola peduncuata)
Oak Gooseberry (Ribes quercitorum)
Mexican Elderberry (Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis)
Miner's Lettuce (Claytonia parviflora)
Miner's Lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata)
Sugar Bush (Rhus ovata) at entry
Sasha and Addy, ready to go home after a long hike!
LOCATION: 21470 Gavilan Road, Perris, CA
HOURS: 8am to Sunset
PETS permitted on leash; equestrian
FEES: None
MANAGEMENT: Riverside County Regional Parks
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