Spring is overtaking Central Oregon. Two events mark its start, the opening of the Oregon fishing season and arrival of desert blooms. Fishing opens the next month. So this week we take to the roads in search of native fauna. Some research pointed out two really good locations to find desert blooms. We’re regular walkers at the closest location, Bad Land’s Wilderness just east of Bend, but with such a gorgeous spring day we opted for a trip much farther north.
Spring Basin Wilderness along the John Day River is highlighted as an excellent place to find wildflowers. East along Hwy 218, through Antelope at Clarno Road, you head south for three miles on a hard packed dirt road.
The BLM’s wilderness is nearly 7,000 acres with a network of rustic trails on hills covered in sage, native bunchgrasses and juniper.
The thing about desert flowers is they’re not all that easy to spot, it’s not like those showy blue stocks of Lupin. These tiny blossoms are tucked away among the sage and rock. making it more of a treasure hunt.
