5 Places to Find Blooming Wildflowers in Siskiyou County
Brought to you by Discover Siskiyou
As the long winter of 2019 finally comes to a close, the wildflowers of Northern California will be coming later than usual this year. With the blooming season moving from May to June, experts are predicting it might be one of biggest and most colorful wildflower blooms we’ve seen in a decade.
As the snow melts and the flush vegetation begins to emerge in the great outdoors, Siskiyou County will become a wonderland of wildflower viewing for any outdoor adventurer. Here are the 5 best places to find the incredible wildflower bloom in Siskiyou County:
*Note: Everyone has a right to enjoy the splendor of wildflower displays. Please do not pick the wildflowers!
Lava Beds National Monument
Due to its arid landscape, the Lava Beds National Monument provides one of the longer wildflower seasons in all of NorCal. Plants stagger their blooms over the course of the warmer seasons providing a long, varying flower show that starts when the snow melts in March and lasts well into September.
With more than 100 wildflower species found in the park, along with its amazing caves and fascinating history, the Lava Beds National Monument is a colorful place to visit in the spring and summer months.
Learn more about the wildflowers in Lava Beds National Monument
Mount Shasta
During the spring and summer months, the hills of Mount Shasta can display some of the most beautiful wildflower experiences in NorCal. The best way to see wildflowers on the mountain is via the South Gate Meadow Trail, which connects to the Old Ski Bowl and Panther Meadows trails, all full of lush purple lupines, white flowers and western pasque flowers.
Starting from the Panther Meadows trail, along the way you’ll encounter stunning views of Mt. Shasta and an old growth, Shasta Red Fir forest. Continuing on, you’ll pass a barren boulder field that despite its homogeneity, leaves a lasting impression. Hiking further, you finally reach South Gate Meadow. At this point, behold a lush meadow crisscrossed by spring-fed streams and dotted with unbelievable wildflower displays. Visit in late July or early August to see the flowers in their full glory.
Learn more with the Mount Shasta Wildflowers Field Guide
Marble Mountain Wilderness
Although relatively unknown, the Marble Mountain Wilderness in the Klamath National Forest is one of the most sprawling and desolate outdoor areas in all of NorCal. Amazing displays of wildflowers can be seen along most trails from July to August, and the highest number of wildflower species can be found in open meadow or rocky areas.
This particular wilderness area is designated for the truly adventurous. There are no shelters, picnic tables, facilities, or other conveniences, but there are incredible rock formations filled in the spring and summer months with wildflowers such as Western columbines, butterfly sunflowers and checkerblooms.
Read more about the wildflowers of the Marble Mountain Wilderness
Happy Camp
About 70 miles west of Yreka sits the small town of Happy Camp, which is lovingly known as the “The Heart of the Klamath.” Surrounded by the Klamath National Forest, the town of just over 1,100 people comes to life during the spring and early summer months with magnificent blooms visible throughout the area, including right off Highway 96.
Although the area is hot during the summer, it’s surrounded by rivers, most notably the Klamath River, which makes is a perfect climate for wildflowers. Here are some photos of the flower bloom taken recently:
Castle Crags Wilderness
Through the spring and early summer months at Castle Crags, the rocky terrain transforms from a monotone display to a colorful wonderland. At a lower elevation, the bloom at Castle Crags will become fast and furious during the month of June and will last all the way through late-August. And with an above average amount of snow this winter, Castle Crags will be very colorful this summer.
Of course, there are so many ways to see these wonderful wildflowers. You can take a hike to one of the areas waterfalls, particularly Burstarse and Root Creek Falls, or you can venture all the way to the top via the Castle Dome Trail. Any of the trails in the area, including the Pacific Crest Trail, will be primed for wildflower viewing this summer.
The 12,232-acre wilderness contains more than 300 species of wildflowers, including the Castle Crags harebell and the Castle Crags ivesia, as well as tiger lily, monkey flower and Indian rhubarb.
Have fun on your wildflower adventure in Siskiyou County!
