We normally expect exciting flower blooms to take us far out of town. 2019 was different and unexpected, especially in the most southern areas of California. To produce such a fine year for wildflowers, the rains needed to occur at near-perfect intervals in the months prior for the right germination of plant reproduction—conditions seen in 2017 in many areas of Southern California and again in 2019, but even better in San Diego and Riverside counties in 2019.
The opportunities for photography was exceptional this springtime in Mission Trails Park. A visit there on any day is well worth it, but to see it in full poppy bloom was a special treat. Unfortunately, in the spring of 2020 the park was closed until further notice due to COVID-19.
Maps of the many hiking trails in the 7,000 acre park can be found at https://mtrp.org/. You may want to check out the the Five Peak Challenge. A topographic map guide for these relatively short distance hikes between five local peaks, like Cowles Mountain, is https://mtrp.org/5-peak-challenge/.
For a primer of what’s out there in terms of plants, flowers, mammals, insects, reptiles and birds, an excellent reference site can be found at https://www.inaturalist.org/places/mission-trails-regional-park-ca-us.
All photos by Barbara Swanson.
SLIDESHOW-GALLERY 1: SOME FAVORITES ALONG THE TRAILS
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SLIDESHOW-GALLERY 2: PHOTOS FROM THE CENTER LOOP TRAIL
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