Nature’s Gems: Explore Spring Wildflowers
Spring in Yosemite Mariposa County means two things will happen without fail. The waterfalls will rush and the wildflowers will pop. While Yosemite and waterfalls are synonymous and need very little introduction, there’s probably a lot more to the Yosemite area’s wildflowers than you realize.
In Mariposa County, wildflowers bloom with such abundance that it could be easy to think that you’ve stepped out of your vehicle into a Bob Ross painting. And you’re not far off, but those wildflowers that add big swatches of color to the region’s meadows, foothills and canyons aren’t Bob Ross’s trademark “happy little accidents”, they’re examples of thousands of years of resilience blooming new year in and year out.
Why is Wildflower Viewing so Special in Yosemite Mariposa County?
There are many reasons why this is one of the best places to see wildflowers in California. First, Mariposa County is a HUGE area, spreading across thousands of feet of elevation changes. Ranging from low elevation pastures to alpine meadows, the county makes wildflower viewing incredibly easy since spring keeps “marching up the hill”. In March, the low elevation Gold Country’s rolling green pastures are dotted in oranges, purples and whites while the high country is still covered in a fresh blanket of snow. By April and May, spring has made its way to Yosemite Valley and brought with it fresh flowers to the Valley’s meadows like lupines, tufted poppies and showy milkweed. Couldn’t make it to Yosemite in spring? Not to worry, the high-country meadows along Tioga Pass boast new wildflowers in even as late in the year as July and August, since winter’s snowpack has just melted off.
What stars of spring can you see in Mariposa County?
Well, the answer is a long one. The multitude of elevations and climate in Mariposa County bring with them multitudes of wildflowers. But here are a few of the most common ones you may see.
California Poppy
One of the most common sights, and California’s most famous, is the state flower, the California Poppy. These brilliant specimens bloom all over the county and can be seen first in low elevation areas like Hornitos, Cathey’s Valley and Mariposa. The unmistakable little orange cups bloom atop thin green stems and pop across the hills and canyons of the county so abundantly that you may have to ask, “Is that a green hill with orange flowers, or an orange hill with green flowers?” They’re everywhere. There is perhaps no better place to spot these flowers than in the Merced River Canyon along Highway 140 where the glorious orange flower coats the canyon’s walls making a beautiful drive even more breathtaking. Note: you should never pick wildflowers, but picking a California Poppy is illegal. Leave the state’s flower in the field so that more people can enjoy it later.
Lupine
Another common sight is Lupine. Most commonly seen in purple, white and blue variations of Lupine can be spotted as well and again in a multitude of elevations. This is among the most common flower found in Yosemite National Park. Lupine grow vertical and bloom a dozen or so petals up and down the stem of the flower. If you’ve walked through Yosemite’s Cook’s Meadow during the spring, you’ve probably spotted some lupine.
Snow Plant
One of the rarer flowers in Yosemite, this one can be easy to find if you just know where to look. Snow plant is easy to spot as its bright red petals grow up out of areas where the high country’s snow has not completely melted off yet. The flower rises up between six inches and a foot off of the forest floor. Fun fact, snow plant does not survive using photosynthesis like most flowers. This adaptive little plant thrives off of fungus growing in the wet soil fresh off of melted snow. Keep an eye out for these along Glacier Point road in June. As an extra bonus, see if you can spot a hummingbird fluttering around the plant’s bell-shaped flowers.
Tips for Every Flowerchild
• Don’t pick the flowers: They are in fact beautiful, but they’ll look just as beautiful later in the photos that you took. Leave the flowers there for the next person to enjoy.
• Park in designated areas: Seems obvious, but sometimes we get so taken back by beauty that we forget to park the car. A few years ago, the bloom of poppies in the Merced River Canyon was so great that it brought people from all over California to see them. Unfortunately, some of those people stopped their vehicles right on the highway to take photos. Take it slow. Drive safe. And only park in designated areas or in turnouts to keep your fellow motorists safe. • Stay on the trail: Hiking through a field of flowers? Enjoy! But be sure to stay on the path. Don’t sacrifice the plant life for an Instagram photo.
• Follow leave no trace principles. California Poppies are gorgeous and best viewed without a candy bar wrapper on the ground next to them.
For more information about how to find wildflowers in Yosemite Mariposa County visit yosemite.com.
There are a number of amazing lodging choices in Yosemite Mariposa County that can make your stay a memorable, but one that certainly should not be overlooked is a bed and breakfast (or B&B).
Here’s why you absolutely must consider a B&B for your next trip to Yosemite.
1. Enjoy the interesting people you’ll meet. The owners of B&BS can be some of the friendliest and most interesting people that you’ll meet. Hosts want to make your stay special so that you’ll never forget your trip to the place they call home.
Your hosts serve as local experts too. If you’re looking for the best place to go for a hike, they know because they’ve done them all. Want the best place to grab a quick bite to eat or have a luxurious sit-down dinner, just ask! They’re the ultimate concierge service!
There’s also a good chance you’ll be staying with other friendly and interesting guests from all over the world who have the same passion for travel and adventure that you do. Here’s an opportunity to share your trip with fellow travelers.
2. It’s like staying at home because it is a home. There’s no question, when you travel it can sometimes be hard to leave behind the comforts of home. Your comfy bed, your favorite pillow, that warm down comforter. But there’s good news, B&B’S offer plenty of high-quality bedding, linens and amenities so you’ll never miss home!
Can’t bring your pets with you on the trip? No worries. Some establishments have their own pets that will be glad to meet you and be new fourlegged friends with you while you stay.
3. Savor a home-cooked breakfast.
Do you remember when you were a kid and you’d wake up on Sunday morning to the mouthwatering smells of your favorite breakfast foods cooking in the kitchen? Well, that’s every day at a bedand-breakfast.
Sit down with your hosts and fellow guests to a variety of great freshly prepared breakfast options that will be sure to help you fuel up
before you go ziplining or go explore downtown Mariposa, Coulterville or surrounding historic communities.
You might even get some ideas on things to do from your fellow guests while you’re sitting around the table having breakfast in the morning.
4. The locations are hard to beat.
Yosemite Mariposa County is a great destination to disconnect from your phone and connect with nature. Many of the area’s bed-andbreakfasts have a great sense of seclusion in the wilderness of the Sierra Nevada mountains that California gold country offers. When you’re waking up in the morning, be sure to take a moment to take in the scent of pine trees and fresh mountain air.
After a long day on the trail, come back to your B&B to unwind with a nice glass of wine or a locally crafted beer while you sit out on the patio and take in the stunning beauty of the surrounding mountain vistas.
5. It’s a great way to expand your horizons… or not!
When we travel we can learn so much about ourselves and the experience of a B&B can enhance that learning. After a stay at a B&B the sense of family, warm environment and new people you may meet are likely to make B&B’S your new lodging of choice.
However, if you’re looking for peace and solitude, bedand-breakfasts are perfect for that too. Spend time in your room and get some work done on your laptop or go out and spend the whole day hiking or rock climbing and crash out early in the comfort of your cozy bed. Either way, your hosts just want you to have a truly memorable experience enjoying the comforts of their home and hospitality!