Lake Elsinore, CA: Wet Winter Results In Wildflower “Superbloom”

Posted on Feb 27, 2019 | No Comments

LAKE ELSINORE, Calif (feb 27, 2019) Visitors traipse among poppies and other wildflowers in bloom in the Walker Canyon area near the Lake Street exit along I-15. Heavier than usual rainfall this winter has resulted in a “superbloom” of wildflowers throughout Southern California. (© 2019 Greg Vojtko All Rights Reserved)

I ventured down to Walker Canyon in Lake Elsinore to see the wildflowers blooming on the hillsides. Apparently the trails are only open on weekends, creating a mess as visitors traipse around the barriers and among the flowers to photograph themselves, trampling the delicate blooms in the process.

Motorists often park along the side of the freeway and traffic can back up for several miles in either direction. The Los Angeles Times wrote recently about the phenomenon, both the spectacular views as well as the crowds overwhelming the landscape.

I grew up with and still do my best to live the concept of “Take only photographs, leave only footprints, kill only time,” meaning my outdoor excursions would be planned and executed with as little impact on the environment as possible. Sadly, this mindset isn’t being observed by many visiting the annual show of color, denying others the enjoyment of seeing the hillsides in a pristine state.