Bakersfield.com

By: Bonnie D. Stone

Golden poppies stretching as far as the eye can see is the draw of thousands of visitors to the state’s only Poppy Reserve – the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, 15101 Lancaster Road, 15 miles west of I-14. After two miserable years of meager showings, the question remains – Will this be the year of golden dreams?

            “We can only hope,” says Jean Scott, interpretive specialist with the California Parks system. “We have 1755 acres of the most consistent poppy growing land in the state as well as owl's clover, lupine, goldfield, cream cups and coreopsis. At the end of January, we had over nine inches of rain. Our biggest year for wildflowers was in 2005 when we had 16 inches.”

            The question is not only if that was enough rainfall, but if it came at right time. The park people know that in a year of little rain, there’s a meager showing of plants across the sere, desert landscape. Last year, when only one inch of rain fell, the rangers counted only 58 plants – that’s not species -- that’s individual plants. 

If you want to see poppies, how can you check before you head out?

Three ways:

1.      Call the direct number for wildflower viewing that’s updated as conditions change: 661-724-1180, or

2.      Go to the web site: www.parks.ca.gov click on Visit a Park button at the top, choose Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve.

3.      On the radio, AM 1610 broadcasts updates and other information about the various parks.

Beginning March 15, the 2,000 square foot Jane S. Pinheiro Interpretive Center at the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Named to honor the woman who spearheaded the drive to save the poppy fields, the Center, which is a green building, is built into the hillside.  It uses passive solar heating and is designed to reduce the heat from the sun. 

Inside the visitor center, which is staffed by volunteers, you’ll find a short orientation video, wildlife and wildflower displays and a gallery of Jane S. Pinheiro’s detailed watercolor paintings framed and donated by the Lancaster Women’s Club. There’s a gift shop that features unique poppy and wildflower-oriented items, books, jewelry and many wonderful items for children. While the Reserve is open year round from sunrise to sunset, the visitor center and activities are only available during the spring.     

Guided tours are offered for the duration of the wildflower season. When giving tours, Scott, whose love of the desert came about when she went camping in Joshua Tree National Park during the biggest wildflower bloom of the century, shares her love of the desert.

“Most visitors drive through the desert only thinking of it as dry sand and weeds, but it’s so much more,” Scott said. “It has a very intricate habitat with so many things that survive in this harsh climate. I also love to include the cultural history in my tours such as telling that the land around the Poppy Reserve was originally burned by Native Americans specifically to create a grassland,” said Scott, who graduated with a major in biology from UC Santa Cruz. 

 On the northwest side of the Park, is a tuff quarry that provided cement for the Owens River Project. Wagon trains stopped at Fairmont Butte, on the northwest side. Many settlers came up to start ranching operations for almond orchards, pear, and dry farming of onions and alfalfa.

“In good years of plentiful wildflower blooms, busloads of wildflower-loving people arrive,” she said. “They come from as far away as Korea, China, Germany, and all over the USA. Senior groups come in droves to enjoy the flowers.”

If you’ve never been to the Poppy Reserve, keep in mind that this is not a tame, well-ordered botanical garden. For the handicapped or those in wheelchairs, there is a shallow grade up to the Center made for wheelchair accessibility. Also, a short section of the path into the field of flowers is paved for wheelchair use. 

 The able-bodied can trek on eight miles of trails carved through fields of wildflowers that support the lives of small animals and snakes.

If you see a rattler or a Mojave Green snake, what do you do?

Scott says, “If you see a snake, back up slowly. Treat them with respect. They are an important part of the habitat because they control the rodent population.”

Her other suggestions include:

·        Come during the week, it’s less crowded.

·        Come in the early morning because the wind comes up in the afternoon and poppies close.

·        Leave your dogs at home. Dogs are not allowed on the trails. There’s no shaded areas in the parking lot, so don’t plan on leaving your animals in your car.

·        Stay on the trails. If not, you’ll be trampling and destroying the plants.

·        Bring your own food if you want to use the picnic area. The Center does sell water.

Tours:
Guided group & school programs may be arranged by calling (661) 942-0662.

 

DIRECTIONS: Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, 15101 Lancaster Road.

From I-14, take the Avenue I exit and go west 15 miles. Avenue I becomes Lancaster Road. You’ll see the Reserve is on the right. 

From I-5, take Highway 138 east, then go south (right) on 170^th Street West and turn left onto Lancaster Road. The Reserve is on the left.

            There are two other unique parks that would be well worth your time to visit. ARTHUR B. RIPLEY DESERT WOODLAND, added to the State Parks in 1988, is seven miles west of the Poppy Reserve, on Lancaster Road where 210^th Street would be. Park on the side of the road and enter through the pedestrian walk-through by the park gate. With its dense stands of Joshua and junipers, you’ll get a good idea of what the whole valley looked like before it was altered by humans. The park is rustic. You’ll find only a pit toilet but no running water. It features a picnic table and self-guided nature trail, with information about the desert wildflowers and animals of the Ripley Desert Woodlands.  The trail is short with no elevation change.  As the only sanctuary for wildlife, you often can spot a lot of animals and birds. 

            Directions: From I-14, take Avenue K West to 30^th Street. Turn left (south) on

30^th then right on K-8. Operating Hours: 6 a.m. to sunset, seven days a week. Free.

 

Bonnie D. Stone is the author of San Andreas Ain’t No Fault of Mine, the official guidebook to the Antelope Valley. For restaurants and motels in the area go to www.bonniedstone.com