April 23, 2013— It’s all purple all the time in April at Wilder Ranch—especially at the top of Engelsman Loop, where a rogue stand of wild iris gets busy populating the open chaparral with loopy, nodding blooms in shades of purple ranging from inky to washed-out lilac. If past experience is any indication, they should be going strong well into May. Wild iris isn’t the only game in town, though.
Starting up Engelsmans Loop (we went to the left first), you’ve got your blue-eyed grass here and there and approximately one bazillion sky lupines. These are just stunning. Here at Wilder Ranch they’re mostly tri-colored, with a few pink petals among the usual deep purple (or is it blue? Discuss.) and white. They’re especially profuse below the new bypass route, on the western branch of the loop, and about halfway down the eastern branch. Look for ceanothus, yet another purple/blue blossom, in the same neighborhood as the irises, at the top of the loop. (Photo of sky lupine by Hilltromper)
All the blue and purple on this particular wildflower hike might just be a setup for one of the sweeter sights on the trail: a lovely yellow flowering bush that Hilltromper pal Doug Ross identified as California false lupine. Find it on the bypass route, off to the right before the climb.
