Torrey Pines State Reserve Hike

Starting at 10:00 AM on May 2, 2010, our group started the Torrey Pines Reserve Hike from the North Beach entrance to the trail. Starting out overcast and cool, our group enjoyed beautiful sunshine and cool ocean breezes for most of our hike.


Before we reached the trailhead, we spotted a baby sealion playing on the Del Mar beach, attracting some attention from passers-by.

Many of the beautiful wildflowers of the area were in bloom, including California Poppies, Monkey Flower, Toyons, and Golden Tarweeds, but my favorite was this Splendid Mariposa Lily which were a beautiful lavender color. The lilies seemed to grow delicately and effortlessly among the dry, hard desert ground.



MonkeyFlowers...



Indian Paintbrush



Mexican Pink



Flowering Cactus




The ocean views were beautiful and contrasted starkly against the desert landscape.

These Lord's Candle Yucca plants grew quite tall and in this case, grew twice my height!

During our hike, we covered the Fleming, Perry Grove, Razor and Yucca Point trails which offered wonderful views of the ocean and allowed us to see some of the beautiful flowering plants in their element.

Had a blast!

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Ellie Lane to Iron Mountain in Poway

Starting out at 8:30 in the morning, the day turned out to be sunny and beautiful with some really nice cool breezes as well. Being mid-April, some of the wildflowers were in full, glorious bloom and I couldn't resist taking some photos.







These interesting flowering plants have the base of a spiky hard leaves, a stalk, and a beautiful cluster of white and purple flowers. Called Our Lord's Candle Yucca, also known as Foothill Yucca (Latin name: Yucca whipplei). They were everywhere and were in varying stages of growth. We saw some that had not opened yet, and some that were in full bloom.



The views at the top of the moutain were amazing, but I really enjoyed the chance to rest after such an intense workout!















Spring has sprung after all the rain we have gotten in San Diego this year. The flowers were out and looking beautiful!

Purple Lupin wildflowers (Latin: Lupinus Polyphyllus) were growing around the area of the lake.



We saw some lizards too!

At the bottom of the mountain there was a bright blue lake.


It felt like such an accomplishment at the end of the hike! We had done the nine miles and it was fun, too!



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