Cover photo created by @jayasimha78 using photos shot at Carrizo plain National Monument.
As most of you know we had lot of rain in California this winter, bringing California out of sever drought situation. Side effect of that we have spectacular superbloom in various parts of California. Carrizo plain National Monument is one of them. I recently visited Carrizo Plain during peak of Superbloom. The views of hills and flatlands covered with various wild flowers were feast to the eye (and camera too!)
Carrizo Plain is located around 260 Miles south of San Francisco Bay area, which is around 4.5 hours driving distance. There are several dirt roads in the monument and also cell reception is not dependable. So it is highly recommended to download offline maps on the Google maps. As we entered the monument we were greeted by the colorful hills and lands covered with wild flowers.
Here is a picture of one of the dirt roads we drove on in Carrizo plain. You can see parts of hills covered by wild flowers.
Even though there is wild life in the monument, all I could encounter were few grazing cows!
Here is a hill side covered with yellow flowers.
Here is a shot of couple of photographers scouting for location to shoot!
Here is a close up of those yellow flowers. We encountered several types of flowers in the monument.
Shot of a house located in the valley, I wonder who lives almost middle of no where!
Here is another close up shot of those pretty yellow flowers!
On the way we could find a purple patch of flowers.
Here is a shot of yellow carpet of flowers leading to hills.
On the way to Soda lake, lake located in the park, we found a field with these various types of spectacular wild flowers.
Close up shot of flowers.
Here is a shot of Soda lake and near by hills with ssuperbloom!
Even though this place is around couple of hours from any civilization, weekend was very busy with people like me chasing superbloom in this monument.
Here is a shot of long line of folks visiting soda lake. There is also a small hill which gives a better view of soda lake.
Next to the soda lake there are paths created for visitors to walk around and have a closer look at the wild flowers.
Well that’s me with Carrizo Plain National Monument sign. There is a visitor center in the park. Where restroom facilities are available. In fact that was the only restroom facilities we found in the entire monument.
Here is a close up shot of yellow flowers found next to Soda lake.
Another shot of Soda lake, looks like in summer the lake dries up and salt residues can be found in this location
Here is a close up of another variety of flowers found in the park.
Shot of hill side and a dirt road we drove on.
That’s me with carpet of wild flowers. Don’t worry there were no flowers harmed while taking this shot. There was an ideal path to the place where I am sitting to pose for the picture!
Alright, here is one lost shot on our way out of the monument. Hope you enjoyed the superbloom in Carrizo Plain National Monument.