Blue Dicks (Dichelostemma pulchellum) dotted the desert with lavender flowers atop long slender stems.
Purple Owl's Clover (Castilleja exserta)).
Jones' Blazing Star (Mentzelia jonesii)).
Hillside of Mexican Gold Poppies (Eschscholtzia mexicana).
The desert hillsides were ablaze with Mexican Gold Poppies.
A bluff along the Spring Valley Trail studded with Saguaro Cactus and golden patches of Mexican Gold Poppies. Blue Dicks dot the foreground.
Mexican Gold Poppy (Eschscholtzia mexicana).
A small tank along the Spring Valley Trail.
A view of the rocky cliffs to the west of the Spring Valley Trail.
The dense spines of the Teddy Bear Cholla glow in the morning sun along side the Spring Valley Trail.
Although we didn't see any cattle, here is evidence that grazing is still allowed in the Hells Canyon Wilderness area.
Desert hillside ablaze with Mexican Gold Poppies.
Brilliant orange Mexican Gold Poppies with a few Blue Dicks mixed in.
Hillside covered in Mexican Gold Poppies.
Hillside covered in Mexican Gold Poppies.
Purple Owl's Clover (Castilleja exserta)).
Poppies, Blue Dicks and Scorpionweed on a desert hillside.
Wild Heliotrope or Scorpionweed (Phacelia distans).
Chia (Salvia columbariae)) is a member of the mint family.
Closeup of Chia. Note the square stem.
At one point on the Spring Valley Trail Lake Pleasant comes into view to the southeast.
A hillside covered with wildflowers.
As the Spring Valley Trail makes a gentle curve to the east toward Garfias Wash, poppies, owl's clover and scorpionweed line the trail.
Jones' Blazing Star (Mentzelia jonesii)).
Mexican Gold Poppies.
The Spring Valley Trail splits a patch of Mexican Gold Poppies.
Mexican Gold Poppies dominate the foreground below these cliffs.
Mexican Gold Poppies.
Mexican Gold Poppies aglow in the afternoon sun.
Brilliant orange patches of Mexican Gold Poppies color the hillsides around Garfias Wash.
A view down into Garfias Wash.
A view of the cliffs above Garfias Wash.
Mexican Gold Poppies.
Purple Owl's Clover (Castilleja exserta)).
Blue Dicks (Dichelostemma pulchellum).
Mexican Gold Poppies.
Starflower (Gilia sp.) (Possibly Broad-Leaved Gilia, Gilia latifolia.)
An iridescent Green Blister Beetle (Lytta stygica) devouring a poppy flower.
Red Maids or Rock Purslane (Calandrinia ciliata).
Blue Dicks (Dichelostemma pulchellum).
A Common Side-Blotched Lizard (Uta stansburiana) basking on a rock. I like the orange and turquoise coloring on this guy.
Tidytips (Layia glandulosa).
Hillside covered in poppies.
Desert Globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua).
Desert Globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua).
Desert Globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua).
Mexican Gold Poppy (Eschscholtzia mexicana).
A view to the east from a short ways out the little-used Hermit Trail.