Carrizo Sunday Afternoon

[Kyle Jones]

I'm thinking of heading to Carrizo Sunday afternoon to check out what's left of the flowers. I've never been there, so I'd appreciate any advice where to go. If anyone wants to meet up, I'm game for that too!

 

[JimFox]

Hey Kyle,

I will either be at Carrizo or down at Anza Borrego on Sunday. Not sure which one yet.

By and large the best hillside views with flowers will be seen off of Elkhorn Road. That's on the North side of Carrizo. There are some 4x4 dirt roads that lead up to the top so you an drive along the tops of the ridges. There is a spot about halfway down it that has parking and then some trails that lead up into the hills.

There is Soda Lake road which is the road that goes on the south side. Both roads connect at the ends in a way, so you can loop if you want. There is also a road that cuts across but if there is still water it wont be passable.

There will be flowers everywhere.... literally the whole plain will be pretty much covered with them. So other then the general advice I gave you, I don't have any single go to spot. Maybe Jeffrey does, but I always just drive and stop often as the views are awesome.

 

[Jeffrey]

Hi Kyle, I was there last week and am returning for another night soon. Most of what Jim said is true but not all. I refer to the Carrizo as being a north/south valley, though it is actually about 45 degrees off true north. Soda Lake Road is the main drag. The Temblor Range is to the east (relative to my orientation). First off, the bloom will still be great when you get there, and will be everywhere. And, you can either plan to drive to a few select areas or, since the place is not that large, you can simply drive around and explore. Way more fun. You'll probably be coming in from the top, off rt 58. You'll see Soda Lake and the Education center early on. I like the areas south of KCL Campground and then west along one of the few dirt roads you'll easily find that head west off of Soda Lake Rd. When you get further south, try the loop of Lawson Springs Rd/Padrones Canyon Rd. North of that is a noticeable low mesa close to the road and a dirt road very close to it and just north of it. Can't miss these turns. I camp back in these areas. Then you can take Panorama Road across the plain to Elkhorn Road where you can drive north or south for a while. Beautiful hills there. Unless rains make all these dirt roads muddy, they are very smooth and a pleasure to navigate. Beware of the mud in some places there, as it is the gooiest and stickiest shit I've ever encountered. You don't need 4wd but it's nice to have and any high clearance SUV or truck will be fine.

Here's a decent map showing places I mentioned:

https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/documents/files/CA_CarrizoPlain_NM.pdf

Have a great time! Here's one from last week among the hills west of Soda Lake Road:

 

[Kyle Jones]

Hi Kyle, I was there last week and am returning for another night soon. Most of what Jim said is true but not all. I refer to the Carrizo as being a north/south valley, though it is actually about 45 degrees off true north. Soda Lake Road is the main drag. The Temblor Range is to the east (relative to my orientation). First off, the bloom will still be great when you get there, and will be everywhere. And, you can either plan to drive to a few select areas or, since the place is not that large, you can simply drive around and explore. Way more fun. You'll probably be coming in from the top, off rt 58. You'll see Soda Lake and the Education center early on. I like the areas south of KCL Campground and then west along one of the few dirt roads you'll easily find that head west off of Soda Lake Rd. When you get further south, try the loop of Lawson Springs Rd/Padrones Canyon Rd. North of that is a noticeable low mesa close to the road and a dirt road very close to it and just north of it. Can't miss these turns. I camp back in these areas. Then you can take Panorama Road across the plain to Elkhorn Road where you can drive north or south for a while. Beautiful hills there. Unless rains make all these dirt roads muddy, they are very smooth and a pleasure to navigate. Beware of the mud in some places there, as it is the gooiest and stickiest shit I've ever encountered. You don't need 4wd but it's nice to have and any high clearance SUV or truck will be fine.

Here's a decent map showing places I mentioned:

https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/documents/files/CA_CarrizoPlain_NM.pdf

Have a great time! Here's one from last week among the hills west of Soda Lake Road:

View attachment 17357

Thanks a lot Jeffrey - that's really helpful!