Poppy Bloom in Antelope Valley. AND Hockney, Llano and Devil's Punchbowl

The bloom for 2024 is not ready yet. AND . .. I am not available to lead a Poppies Road Trip past the weekend of 4-13

The weekend of 4-13 is projected as rain and cold. Not good for causing blooms. Needs to be dry and warmer.
Carrizo Pain will be Rain.
Lancaster . . . they have just not bloomed.

I did ask if a group member was willing to be lead in my place. I have had no takers. As such this event is being moved to next year.
We will try again then.

If you have never been here before . . . it worth seeing.

If you have been before . . . it's time to revisit.

Let's get to the event date first . . . The poppies bloom anywhere from Feb to May.

At the moment we are aiming for April 14th
https://ktla.com/news/california/southern-california-poised-for-another-wildflower-superbloom/amp/

Or https://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/wildupdates.html

We'll walk some or most of the 8 miles of trails--not all of it.

Each spring, the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve comes alive with the seasonal surprises of the Mojave Desert Grassland habitat. The duration and intensity of colors and scents vary from year to year. The wildflower season generally lasts from as early as mid-February through late May,

Parking Fees
$10 per vehicle
$9 per vehicle with a senior on board (62 and over)
$5 per vehicle with DPR Disabled Discount Card (see below)

Be prepared for wicked strong winds and bring sunblock! The desert temperatures can vary widely and change suddenly, so bring layers for unpredicted changes in weather.

Dogs are NOT allowed on trails or in the visitor center (just like any California Sate Park)

Whether you most enjoy expansive fields or the close-up study of a single flower, this is the place to visit.

Location - Directions The Reserve is located 15 miles west of Lancaster at 15101 Lancaster Road.

From Highway 14: Take the Avenue I exit and head west 15 miles. Avenue I becomes Lancaster Road.

From I-5: Take Hwy 138 east and turn right on 170th Street West. Make a left at the end, onto Lancaster Road. Follow the road two miles.

Carpool? YES!!!!

We will meet at the meet time and address. That location is a designated Park & Ride. It is a free lot that has roving security in the area. So it's safe to leave your car for the day.

We meet and then re-shuffle to then pool and caravan to the Poppies.

Why this location as meet-point? It's rather central. And just off the 5 . . . the main freeway we need to take to get there.

Carpool to our meetpoint? Sure. Post in the comments on the main group posting.

This is a free hiking event that take a little more work to make happen than a quickie local thing. This is not local in-town. As such you will drive to and meet there. OR you will use the carpool info sent a week before to work on setting up a carpool.

To attend this event:

• RSVP on this event (then)
• Click Here and fill out our Attendees google form

The form is a safety thing. If you do not fill it out. You will not be hiking with us.

Got questions?
Click Here to send a Direct Message to Marc (screen name Oddie)

Other notable hiking we have planned:

AFTER the poppies . . . the plan is to go to the location where Hockney shot his photo. It is 45 min away at 126th and Pearblossom . . . Standing on 126th looking south.

https://www.getty.edu/art/collection/object/103QT4

Then go the 200 feet to Llano Del Rio and poke in the ruins (again) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llano_del_Rio
https://la.curbed.com/2017/5/1/15465616/utopia-socialist-los-angeles-llano-del-rio
https://www.lancastermoah.org/single-post/the-llano-del-rio-cooperative-colony

Then drive up to Devils Punchbowl
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/southern-california/devils-punchbowl-nature-area-so-cal/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil%27s_Punchbowl_(Angeles_National_Forest)

Hike or just view it. It's up to you.

NOTICE: For our events we do not discriminate by Age, Gender, Gender Preference, Ethnicity, National Origin, Race, Color, Religion, or even Belly Button Lint.