www.nps.gov/tont (Posted Friday, 5/2/2008)
Most of the wildflowers are done for the season, as are the hedgehog cactus, but the prickly pear and buckhorn cholla are beginning to bloom, and the pincushion and saguaros have not begun blooming at this point. It’s still worth a trip to enjoy the last of the gorgeous cacti colors.
http://arboretum.ag.arizona.edu (Posted Friday 5/2/2008)
Widespread blooms have peaked and passed on the Main Trail, but many individual species at their prime -- and cactus blossoms are just getting started! Opuntias (prickly pear, cholla) sport hundreds of blooms which are soon to open, and will color the trails during May and June.
Walk the High Trail this week to see unusual native wildflowers such as Bush penstemon (Penstemon microphyllus), desert phlox (Phlox tenuifolia), and ocotillo. Please be aware that the High Trail is a slightly more challenging half-mile walk above and overlooking Queen Creek, and is not accessible by wheelchair, or if you use a walker. Easier walking (and huge patches of color) are found in the Demonstration Garden located just below the Arboretum visitor center, just a five-minute walk from the main visitor parking lot. Dozens of species are blooming here, in a garden that Gold Canyon landscape painter Burdell Moody describes as "a Monet gardenscape come to life."
Look for various aloes, Desert Marigold, iceplant, Echinocereus Boycethompsonii (the "Boyce Thompson" Hedgehog cacti named for the Arboretum's founder); Fleabane Daisy, Golden Spurge, Gazanias, jasmine, Mexican Honeysuckle -- and dozens more. The Demonstration Garden reaches its peak around Mothers Day weekend, and is easily accessible by wheelchair.
Director of Horticulture Steve Carter also encourages all visitors to make an effort to see the singular Chilean "Puya" that is blooming right now across the trail from the Desert Legume Garden. For a preview, visit this page on the BTA website http://www.btarboretum.org/puya.html
Boyce Thompson Arboretum is near highway 60 milepost #223, about one hour due east of Phoenix as you approach the historic copper-mining town of Superior.
Got cable or a fast connection? Check out this video of wildflower highlights from BTA, filmed in 2005: http://ag.arizona.edu/bta/wildflowers_2005_384.wmv
(Posted Friday 4/25/2008)
Photographers driving two hours to Globe (the city is about equidistant from Phoenix and Tucson) this week will be delighted to find large patches of photogenic goldpoppies -- blooming right along highway 60! Showy penstemons, abound. Hikers can look forward to creeks flowing with Pinal Mountain snowmelt,
bordered by yellow monkey flower (Mimulus guttatus).
Look for less common Cream cups (Platystemon californicus), as well -- particularly along the #200 Toll Road Trail which leads into Six-Shooter Canyon in the Pinal foothills. This is also a great trail to see Chia (Salvia columbariae), Colorado four o'clock, freckled milkvetch, scattered owl's clover and lovely yellow nocturnal evening primrose (Oenothera primiveris).
Drive 20 minutes farther east and onto the San Carlos Apache Reservation for surprisingly large roadside goldpoppy swaths stretching off into the desert from along Highway 70 around mileposts 266-268. Apache lands require a reservation recreation permit; these are available at most convenience stores in Globe, and at the Tribe's Recreation and Wildlife Department.
http://www.sancarlosapache.com/San_Carlos_Game_and_Fish.htm
Round Mountain Park near downtown Globe is arguably the best local spot for late April and early May color. Walk the easy hiking trails to see hundreds of vivid magenta Hedgehog cacti blooming this week. Sego lilies (Calochortus nuttalli) are abundant, and look for the first paleface delphinium to open. Round Mountain Park admission is free. Trails here are also perfumed by huge patches of Matthiola longipetala -- which have an unreal "candy cigarettes" sweet perfume. This nonnative invasive "loves disturbed, steep slopes and literally covers dozens of acres along highway 60 in Globe. Unfortunately this fragrant, pretty, long-flowering plant chokes out nearly every other annual except Phacelia distans, with which it doesn't seem to mind sharing some space" according to local horticulturist Kim Stone. Round Mountain Park is near the crossroads of Highways 60 and 70 (turn north at the Country Kitchen restaurant), and drive up the hill past the Samaritan Veterinay building.
For maps or directions around Globe call the Chamber of Commerce toll-free at 800-804-5623 or email visitorinfo@globemiamichamber.com. Lists of local restaurants and hotels are at http://www.historicgilacounty.com
www.maricopa.gov/parks (Posted 3/21/2008)
San Tan Mountain Regional Park is the hidden gem of the southeast valley. However, it may not be able to hide much longer due to the wild invasion of colors taking over the park’s mountainsides and valley plains.
Throw caution to the wind and allow the tantalizing fragrances filling the desert air to engulf your every breath. Enjoy the splendid yellow eruption of brittlebush covering Goldmine Mountain from the San Tan Nature Center. Look out for scattered blooms of Mexican poppies as you walk along the north portion of the San Tan Trail. Blissfully stroll the Goldmine and Moonlight Trails to be mesmerized by the vivacious lupine and boldness of bladderpods. Be careful not to get captured by the abundance of fiddleneck and filaree lurking around every corner.
Join the park ranger on a special guided tour to explore the wonderful wildflowers of San Tan Mountain Regional Park on Thursday, March 20, at 8:00 a.m. For more information about the hike or park, please visit www.maricopa.gov/parks
