Yesterday (Friday 3/29) Jill and I left SLO and headed east to Carrizo Plains to hunt for wildflowers. I’d estimate that we were about 5-10 days too early for a massive bloom (cooler weather and more rain the day before) but there was still plenty to see. Quite a few blooms in spots along Hwy 58 and the beginning of the massive show in Carrizo proper. Traveled south on Soda Lake Rd. to catch Hwy 166, then onto Hwy 33 and the circuitous route back to the 101 and home.
Even though we were early the trip was well worth it. Some observations:
* The usual washboard on sections of Soda Lake Rd. but some VERY DEEP potholes on some of the “paved” sections. You’ve been warned.
* Quite a few people out for a Friday so weekends will be crowded...as usual.
* Good news: the co-managed monument seems to be working well. Kudos to management anticipating increased crowds and providing additional toilets at strategic locations. Bad news: a few dogs running unleashed, some people ignoring closed trail signs and walking all over making new trails, several unusual/discourteous parking of vehicles so that selfies can be taken, and various younger folk plopping themselves down in the middle of flower patches. We call them rattlesnake bait. We took a deep breath and acquiesced to the ignorance of the few.
I’ll see if I can upload a few photos from Jill’s phone. We had a great day!
