Carrizo Plain National Monument

With super bloom all over South California we went to the north to check out Carrizo Plain National Monument. Area is considerably larger than Elsinore with diverse type of flowers.

Lake Elsinore poppies (super bloom)

California wild flowers super boom occurs approximately once in a 10 years or so. This year was quite epic, I have never saw that many flowers, but number of people trying to see them was even larger. With luck and little creativity we was able to squeeze into Elsinore to see the show.

Telescope Peak hike (attempt)

The trail to Telescope Peak begins from Mahogany Flat Campground at the end of Upper Wildrose/ Emigrant Canyon Road. With recent snow road was closed and we have to hike extra mile or 2 to trail head. Good trail except the last portion where it goes steep to the summit. Without crampons and ice axes we bailed.

Camping in Death Valley

 There was a little fox visited us at our camping spot.

Wildrose Charcoal Kilns

Looking at Death Valley

Telescope Peak

Sierra

Death Valley National Park

We was planning backpacking trip over 3 days, but my old Honda Accord did not make it to the trail head through deep sand. It was quite a challenge to dig it out and drive backwards. At least there was no drama with camping in the park, you can legally camp anywhere 1 mile from the main freeways.

Death Valley from Dante's View

Zabriskie Point

Zabriskie Point

Bad water

Devils Golf Course

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

Wizard

Skyline hike

Skyline become my annual "must do" event with many old and new friends joining this hike. 8000 ft elevation gain over 10 miles trail. There was 2 kids this year: Fedor and Peter who successfully completed the hike, I'm very proud!

Skyline trail head

Fedor and Peter

San Gorgonio via Vivian creek hike

San Gorgonio was the last test for Fedor to qualify for Skyline hike. In fact, I think San Gorgonio is even harder despite less elevation gain. We did it via shortest and steepest Vivian creek trail.

San Jacinto across the Banning pass

Near the top

San Gorgonio summit

Rattlesnake Peak hike

Rattlesnake Peak ‎5826 ft is just across the canyon from Iron Mt., it's lower and relatively easier if you can stay on the trail. We screwed up and lost the trail going down, end up in the serious bushwhacking.

Rattlesnake Peak ‎

Rattlesnake Peak ‎register

Descending via ridge

Iron Mt. across the canyon

Tunnel

Mama was very "happy" to see this