Siphon Draw / Flatiron in spring 3/12/05

I had the pleasure of going out for a solo hike up the Siphon Draw trail to the top of Flatiron. It was a beautiful spring morning, the weather was cool and the air clear. I haven't hiked solo in so long that I had forgotten how truly liberating it can feel.

Not only was the weather great, but the desert was as green as I've ever seen it. The picture below has the lighting adjusted up since it was taken before sunrise, but you get the idea of just how green it was out there.


I'm farily certain you can only truly appreciate the wonder of that photo if you're from the desert.

In the middle portions of the trail you got to see something that is quite a rare site: Miner's Lettuce


It only grows in shaded areas around the 4,000 ft level, and only when it is nice and moist. And we've certainly had moist conditions this winter.

If you're familiar with the Siphon Draw trail, you certainly won't recognize this:


That's how green it is out here this year. That section of the trail is usually just a few bushes. You can't even see the rocks.

Of course, the real reward is the spring flower show:


The desert isn't in full bloom yet, but it will get there in the next few weeks. And when it does, the whole desert floor will be covered with poppies:


The desert in spring is always a beautiful thing - but the desert in spring after a wet winter is a treasure beyond price.