For Arizona wildflower lovers, 2023 won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
Spring in full bloom dyed the desert a sea of golden poppies, with supporting characters such as lupine, owl clover, paintbrush and bean wax. And in April, just as the heat began to kill the delicate poppies, the hillsides exploded with brittlebushes and palo verde flowers.
If it had ended there, it would have been considered a wildflower show for many years. Still, there is good news. It’s just halftime. Another wave of wildflowers is spreading in the highlands. The late-season thaw has triggered flowering, with more flowering just waiting to be awakened by the kiss of a monsoon storm.
If you didn’t get to enjoy wildflowers in the spring, start planning your summer road trips. Cool off in the highlands and enjoy the abundance of flowers again on a summer wildflower hike.
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Where to see wildflowers in Flagstaff
Buffalo Park: Perched atop a mesa not far from downtown Flag, Buffalo Park is a local favorite in all seasons. It features his easy 3.5-mile loop trail through large meadows at the top of the mesa. In addition to the expansive mountain scenery, you can enjoy various types of flowers such as thistles, globe mallows, red lilies and tall sunflowers.
detail: 2400 N. Gemini Road. free. https://www.flagstaff.com/buffalo-park.
Sandys Canyon Trail: Surprises lurk in this narrow canyon just off Lake Mary Road. The trail follows the rim of Walnut Canyon and then winds through undergrowth and mixed forest. Reaching the bottom of the canyon, it becomes an idyllic walk among grasslands beneath towering stone walls.
Look for four o’clock, sunflowers, goldenrods, cicavechi and sunflowers scattered among the grasses at the bottom of the canyon. If you’re lucky, you might even spot the delicate blooms of the Rocky Mountain Iris. The 2.5-mile trail ends at a confluence with the Arizona Trail, allowing for additional hiking options.
detail: Follow Lake Mary Road 8.8 miles southeast of Flagstaff until the trailhead is signposted on the left. free. 928-526-0866, www.fs.usda.gov/Coconino.
Bismarck Lake Trail: More of a pond than a lake, Bismarck provides a beautiful setting and enough moist ground to grow healthy summer wildflowers.
Off Hart Prairie Road, the easy 1.5-mile round-trip trail connects with the Arizona Trail through cool forests and open meadows dotted with spectacular views of the San Francisco Peaks. White Canada violets can be seen along with Richardson geraniums in a shady forest. In sunny locations, you can find parisian bellflowers, yarrows, lupines and whiskered penstemons.
Forest roads 151 and 627 to the trailhead are dirt and gravel roads and are passable by car if you drive carefully. A taller car may be more comfortable.
detail: From Flagstaff, follow US 180 north to Forest Road 151 (Hart Prairie Road) and turn right. Turn right again on FR 627 and continue to the trailhead. free. 928-526-0866, www.fs.usda.gov/Coconino.
Fort Valley Flower Fields: One of Flag’s most dramatic vantage points doesn’t require a hike. Monsoon storms bring sunflowers into full bloom in the grasslands just off Route 180.
Surrounded by the ridges of the San Francisco Mountains, this panorama is the quintessential Flagstaff panorama. Sunflowers he blooms in late July and usually he peaks in color in mid-August. Most of the field is private property, so please follow the manners and participate.
detail: Located at the intersection of US 180 and Schultz Pass Road north of downtown Flagstaff.
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Where to see wildflowers at the Grand Canyon North Rim
Widfors Trail: Due to heavy snowfall this winter, the opening of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon was later than usual. But all that slowly melting moisture can only be good for flowers. Just a long drive to reach the North Rim at the top of the lonely Kaibab Plateau, you’ll enjoy plenty of roadside wildflowers.
Once inside the park, hike the Widfors Trail. Named after Gunnar Widfors, who lived and painted this canyon nearly a century ago, the trail winds its way through shaggy forests that wind in and out of damp drains, where carpets of lupine grow. should be found. Lupine has had a great year in the spring desert, but he should do just as well in mountain meadows.
Other flowers include Beardrip Penstemon, Indian Paintbrush, Yarrow and Goldeneye. The trail is 15.6 miles round trip.
detail: Due to a broken water pipe, North Rim is operating with limited food and beverage service. Accommodations at the Grand Canyon Lodge will not be available until late July. The campground is open.Reservations are required https://www.recreation.gov. Park admission is $35 per vehicle and is valid for 7 days. 928-638-7888, https://www.nps.gov/grca.
Mogollon Lim: Payson Shows Greer Low
Horton Creek Trail: The route follows a silver tongue stream that cascades down the slopes to the base of the Mogollon Rim. The showy yellow flowers of Hooker evening primrose brighten up the pine forest. Scarlet gaura, wild geraniums and brown-eyed susans join the festivities, while tall columbine blooms near the water’s edge. And you’ll want to be near the water on this hike in the summer. The gentle 10.4-mile round-trip trail ends at the seething Houghton Springs.
detail: From Payson, drive 27 miles east on State Route 260 to Tonto Creek Road (Forest Road 289) near Coles Ranch. Turn left and follow 1 mile to the trailhead for Upper Tonto Creek Campground. free. 928-474-7900, www.fs.usda.gov/tonto.
Woodland Lake Park: The 583-acre park is the lush heart of Pinetop Lakeside. A mile long, gentle paved trail that winds through meadows and pine forests and encircles a small lake, making it a great place for fishing, picnicking and wildlife watching. Summer brings an array of shades with goldeneye, pinedrop, lupine, yarrow, sunflower and firework red hylia blooms.
detail: 450 Woodland Lake Road, Pinetop Lakeside. free. www.pinetoplakesideaz.gov.
Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area: This vast highland lake just outside Show Low is an attractive vacation spot for anglers, boaters, campers and anyone needing a getaway to get back to nature.
A 2.5-mile hiking trail runs along the south and west sides of the lake. The trail follows the water’s edge and weaves through fields of Cloid Susan, yarrow, sunflower, globe mallow and prairie cornflower. In the meadows, dragonflies and butterflies often fly among the flowers.
detail: 1500 degrees north latitude. Lake Fool Hollow, Show Low. $7 per vehicle Monday through Thursday. $10 Friday-Sunday. 928-537-3680, azstateparks.com/fool-hollow.
West Fork Trail: Not to be confused with the popular Oak Creek Canyon Adventure of the same name. This hike is near Greer and follows the clear waters of the West Fork of the Little Colorado River.
Pass through checkered forests and meadows dotted with Queen Anne’s lace, Franciscan bluebells and Mexican hats. If you see tiny flowers growing in the stream, they’re probably buttercups.
The trail climbs gradually to Badger Pond, also known as Trail Springs Tank, surrounded by bushes of wild roses and raspberries. After this, an even steeper rock climb begins. The West Fork Trail continues into Mount Baldy Nature Reserve and becomes the West Baldy Trail after about 11 miles.
detail: From Eager, follow State Route 260 west for 15.6 miles to SR 373. Turn left onto SR 373 for 7.9 miles then turn right onto Osborne Road. The trailhead is on your left. free. 928-333-6200, www.fs.usda.gov/asnf.
Meet Roger Naylor for Summer Travel Tips
Roger Naylor will be in the Phoenix Subway on July 25th to talk about his latest book, Amazing Arizona: 200 Amazing Facts About the Grand Canyon State. There are slides of his presentation with travel tips, Naylor answers questions and signs his book ($16.95). It also comes with coffee and pastries.
detail: Tuesday, July 25, at 7:00 p.m. Georgia T. Road Library, 1900 N. Civic Square, Goodyear. free. https://mcldaz.org/en-US/georgia-t-lord.
To find the reporter,www.roger naylor.com. or follow him on Facebookwww.facebook.com/Roger NaylorinAZ Or Twitter @AZRogerNaylor.
