Blue Sky Ecological Reserve to Lake Poway

Matilija Poppies, Blue Sky Ecological Reserve, Poway, San Diego County, 5/8/2011

Blue Sky Ecological Reserve- Lake Poway hike:

Mileage: about 6 miles round trip

Change in elevation: approximately 500 ft

Difficulty: Blue Sky is leisurely, mostly flat for about 1.5 miles. At Lake Poway, there is about 500 ft climb uphill, but the slope is gentle. Over-all, the hike is easy.

Parking: is free at Blue Sky Ecological Reserve, $5 entrance fee at Lake Poway. That is why we park at Blue Sky to enjoy one of the best things in life, which is free! :)

Directions: From I-15, exit Rancho Bernardo Rd, go East on Rancho Bernardo Rd, which will soon change to Espola Rd. Blue Sky is on the left side of the road, before you hit Lake Poway!

I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day Weekend. We did. Today's pictures were taken from our hike at Blue Sky Ecological Reserve and Lake Poway. Because of Lakers game, which sadly they were swept by Dallas, we decided to just take this easy hike over gentler slopes.What a joy it was to be treated by nature's bouquet on Mother's Day. We saw several men and some teenage kids with wildflowers bouquet, I am thinking they will give it to their special moms. Also, saw several families who spent Mother's Day hiking in the trail and then picnicking in the campground.  

Nature's Bouquet, Penstemon, for Mother's Day

Usually, wildflowers appear in this trail in great numbers. More than 100 kinds of wildflowers have been identified in a single year. However, this year, unlike my Hunt for Wildflowers at Blue Sky post last year, the wildflower display is not as diverse and not as grand, but still beautiful and inspiring. Here are more pictures from our Mother's Day hike today:

Golden Yarrows Lining The trail

Golden Yarrows Up Close

Matilija Poppy Up Close

California Poppy

Coast Live Oaks 

( the tall greens on the side are some wild roses and hooker's primrose which have not yet bloomed, they usually bloom by June/July)

And before you think it's all about wildflowers today, this place actually has a lot of birds around. We saw this  one perched on top of a dead bush

and this one, which I suspect a vulture, soaring up so high in the sky.

And of course, there were many hummingbirds and other birds, but sadly, I have no proof that I saw them :) got too impatient to wait for that perfect timing to shoot pictures, because the blue sky turned into gray, and then drizzles poured down from the sky.

When we left, there was no longer trace of blue sky but just gray and some showers. Nevertheless, still enjoyed the very relaxing hike today. 

Again, hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day. 

♥♥