Top local spots to view wildflowers this Spring
(SOUTHERN COLORADO) — Local photographer and wildflower expert Bob Falcone, a.k.a “Hiking Bob” gave us some tips on finding wildflowers this time of year, including where the flowers tend to show up, and what types can be seen on Southern Colorado trails, in the meadows, and scattered near the waterways.
“There’s different flowers at different elevations and different times of the summer,” Falcone said. “Right now the pasque flowers are up. I saw some star lilies yesterday and some other flowers yesterday. They’re the first ones. They come and go and then there’s this little lull period where nothing’s happening. And then everything else starts to pop up.”
Courtesy: Bob Falcone Canada Violet. Courtesy: Bob Falcone Yellow flowers. Courtesy: Bob Falcone
Hiking Bob suggested the following wildflower timeline for anyone hoping to spot a variety of blooms in the coming months.
Wildflower Timeline
Early May: Pasque flowers, star lilies, mountain bluebells, loco weed, and vetch are all very colorful and can be found at Ute Valley Park, Cheyenne Mountain State Park, North Cheyenne Canon Park
Late May/early June: Wild irises, pasque flowers, wild clematis, and Indian paintbrush can be found at Blodgett Open Space, North Cheyenne Canon Park, Cheyenne Mountain State Park, Red Rock Canyon Open Space
June: Chiming Bells, Fairy Slipper orchids, small cacti, Columbine, “Sugar Bowls” (a clematis variety), and violets, can be found at Red Rock Canyon Open Space/Section 16, Mueller State Park, St Mary’s Falls Trail, North Cheyenne Canon Park, Cheyenne Mountain State Park, San Isabel (west of Rye/Colorado City)
Mariposa. Courtesy: Bob Falcone Cacti Flowers. Courtesy: Bob Falcone Fairy Slipper. Courtesy: Bob Falcone Sugar Bowl. Courtesy: Bob Falcone Indian Paintbrush. Courtesy: Bob Falcone Red Columbine. Courtesy: Bob Falcone Sand Lily. Courtesy: Bob Falcone
July: July is when it’s time to start moving south and up in elevation—wild irises, red Columbine, Shooting Stars, various varieties of daisies, wild roses, and wild orchids can be found in the Wet Mountains and Sangre de Christos
Late July: Mariposa lilies, bergamot, and daisies can be found at Cheyenne Mountain State Park, Mueller State Park, North Cheyenne Canon, southern mountains
July/August: Asters, arnica, and sunflowers can be found at higher elevations—Rampart Reservoir trails, Mueller State Park, etc.
“Different wildflowers bloom at different times and different locations and elevations. Columbines like to be near water and are at higher elevations. Shooting Stars like to be right next to water and often, if you see them, Columbines are nearby. Pasque flowers and irises like shady areas in loose soil. Star lilies grow just about anywhere, as do Indian paintbrush.”
Tiny Cactus blossoms. Courtesy: Bob Falcone Pasque flowers. Courtesy: Bob Falcone
You can follow Hiking Bob on social media as he treks through the Southern Colorado wild in search of these beauties. He is on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
“That’s kind of the fun thing about this,” he said. “It’s kind of a hunt. You have to go find them. And then you stop and you take a bazillion pictures and you go for a hike and you find these flowers.”
Hiking Bob has a few extra tips for making the most of wildflower-seeking expeditions.
“DON’T pick wildflowers—know the 7 Leave No Trace Principles. Watch where you put your hands (rattlesnakes like to hide in the shade in the heat of the day). The free app “Seek” is great for identifying flowers and even insects you see on trails. Park visitor’s center staff can be very helpful in telling you what’s in bloom and where.”
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