After a mild winter that often felt like an early spring, the timing for many of our favorite flowering plants is earlier than normal. Wildflowers are already impressive in the lower elevations, especially now that we’ve gotten measurable recent rains. For those looking to enjoy a scenic hike, it should be a real treat to visit resplendent areas full of colorful wildflowers this month.
To help inspire you to get out there and enjoy time amongst the flowers, here are a few places to visit/walk where the blooms should be good. If you need specific directions or have any questions about these destinations, please e-mail or call us here at the office, and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Dragoon Gulch
Dragoon Gulch is a tributary drainage of Woods Creek. The lightly used trail can be accessed from Woods Creek Rotary Park in downtown Sonora, across from the fairgrounds on Stockton Road. The 60-acre property was dedicated to the City of Sonora and has 2 miles of trail that meander through old growth oaks, manzanita, toyon, and pine. It also has some excellent spring wildflower displays and even great views overlooking downtown Sonora. This is a year-round destination that is accessible to those who are looking for a quiet, easy walk, close to town.
Table Mountain
This trail is approximately 2.5-miles round-trip and is an excellent early spring wildflower day hike that is easy to access and provides an amazing vista if you make the steep climb to the top of Table Mountain. The trip is highly recommended, but beware the poison oak. Know how to identify it and avoid it.
You can park at the first gate off Shell Road and access the trail for a nice wander through oak woodlands. In dry weather (and with a high clearance vehicle), you can drive through two more gates, park by the vaulted toilets, and meet up with the trail here for a much shorter hike. Wherever you choose to park, once you are near the toilets, take the winding, steep, but relatively short trail up to the top of Table Mountain; or you can instead walk on the road all the way around to New Melones Reservoir. Flowers are everywhere.
