Brad Templeton's Photography
Carrizo Plain National Monument

Carrizo Plain National Monument

This relatively new National Monument was completely covered with a darker yellow flower, with interesting patterns on the hillsides. We went to the southern entrance over an amazing mountain pass road, and then followed the good dirt road through the monument. Unfortunately we had cloudy, hazy conditions.

To enter the plain from the south, we took a road less travelled from I-5, Cerro Noroeste Rd., which goes along the ridgetop of the mountains rather than through the valleys.  Great views.
(1280 x 853 - 128K)
To enter the plain from the south, we took a road less travelled from I-5, Cerro Noroeste Rd., which goes along the ridgetop of the mountains rather than through the valleys. Great views.
Carrizo plain was completely covered in the tall dark yellow flower you see below, and some of the hills had the bright yellow.  We also see patches of orange (perhaps poppies) and purple.
(1280 x 853 - 159K)
Carrizo plain was completely covered in the tall dark yellow flower you see below, and some of the hills had the bright yellow. We also see patches of orange (perhaps poppies) and purple.
A valley with purple, orange and yellow over a plain of gold
(683 x 1024 - 87K)
A valley with purple, orange and yellow over a plain of gold
(1280 x 853 - 130K)
Closeup of the dark yellow flowers which blanket all of the plain
(1280 x 853 - 80K)
Closeup of the dark yellow flowers which blanket all of the plain
(1280 x 853 - 82K)
Some of the extent of the flower covered plain.  Clouds move in, alas
(1280 x 853 - 124K)
Some of the extent of the flower covered plain. Clouds move in, alas
Sea of bright yellow fills darker yellow valley
(1280 x 853 - 125K)
Sea of bright yellow fills darker yellow valley
A few shepherds still farm in the valley, where the flowers aren't.
(1280 x 853 - 160K)
A few shepherds still farm in the valley, where the flowers aren't.
An amazing patch of blue-purple looks like a lake in the middle of the valley
(1280 x 853 - 159K)
An amazing patch of blue-purple looks like a lake in the middle of the valley
The extent of the yellow flower plain
(1280 x 853 - 154K)
The extent of the yellow flower plain
Brighter yellow flowers around soda lake (on cloudy day.)
(1280 x 853 - 158K)
Brighter yellow flowers around soda lake (on cloudy day.)
Flower patches alternate everywhere
(683 x 1024 - 92K)
Flower patches alternate everywhere
The pass into the plain from I5 was covered with bright yellow flowers
(1280 x 853 - 95K)
The pass into the plain from I5 was covered with bright yellow flowers

Death Valley Spring Flowers 2005 Index

Carpets of Wildflowers Part One | Lake Badwater | Sand Dunes of Stovepipe Wells
Geology | Carpets of Wildflowers, Part Two (People) | Random Shots
Flower close-ups | Scotty's Castle | Carrizo Plain National Monument
Outside Death Valley & Mojave Desert

Panoramic Photos for this trip