Carpets of California poppies as far as the eye can see!
Walker Canyon in itself is a beautiful hike, found between Corona and Lake Elsinore. While many hiking sites advertise it as a 3.5 mile out and back hike, it can easily be made into a larger loop.
The hills and canyons are beautiful, with trees scattered throughout. From the higher elevations, you can spot the surrounding cities and Santa Ana mountains.
Walker Canyon's real claim to fame comes in the months of March and April annually when the California state flower is in bloom. Contingent on the balance of rain, sunshine, and soil, the poppies will show in vast quantities.
When news of a superbloom in Walker Canyon hits, people head to the hills as soon as they can. Most poppies tend to live four weeks or less, so time is definitely of the essence.
Unfortunately, with everyone heading to the same place during a small window of time, traffic tends to build up. To make matters worse, the 15 freeway seems to be the only major route to get to Walker Canyon and the poppies are located just off of the exit. The freeway backs up substantially and it easily takes another 30 minutes to go the last few miles. Once you're off the exit, things begin to move very slowly as this area does not have the infrastructure for these types of crowds. No crosswalks, no permanent parking, and no staffing to guide visitors, so it becomes a test of patience.
Once you are able to park, you simply follow the crowds and you'll find one of two main trails. Luckily the trails are wide and spacious, so they can handle all of the foot traffic. Unfortunately, some narcissistic visitors must have their photo sitting in the poppies and trample the flowers. This unfortunately ruins the look of the canyon and puts future blooms at risk. Please stay to the trail - if you can't enjoy this without leaving the trail, life must be tough to enjoy.
As you continue along the trail, you'll find pockets of other flowers, some purple, some white, and quite a bit of yellow. They add a nice complement to the hills of orange.
The trail will take many twists and turns and there are many junctions that you can break off on. Most website call the trail a 3.5 mile out and back trail, but we were able to make a giant loop throughout the park. I'm glad we didn't stop at the advertised end of the trail because there were plenty of scenic spots on the final portion of the loop.
Be advised that the poppy is a fickle flower, so you never know when it will spring up and in what quantity. You never want to visit a poppy field too early or too late because the flowers only open in the warm sunlight. Early in the morning or in the evening, you'll find the flowers closed up, and not nearly the sight you see in the photos below.
This is truly a once in a lifetime experience and was difficult to leave knowing I may never get to witness it again. I've been fortunate enough to see it twice now, but there is no guarantee when the next bloom will be. So many factors go into producing a bloom of this magnitude that you certainly need a bit of luck to see it. Here's to the preservation fo this natural wonder and hoping for many more superblooms!
Know Before You Go
Please to do pick the flowers, trample on the flowers, or try to sit in them. If every visitor started taking such actions, they beauty would be diminished in a hurry.
Know that poppies only unfold when the sun is out. If you go early in the morning or in the evening, they will be closed up and less compelling.
When there are no clouds, it's almost overwhelming due to the brightness. It's best to visit on a day with some clouds.
The poppies only live for a few weeks, so as soon as there is news of a bloom - get there (typically mid-March).
Droves of tourists will all attempt to visit once news of a bloom is out there. Add 30 minutes to your travel time because the 15 freeway will back up substantially.
Parking can be rough. It's best just to park in the first spot you find and walk to the poppies.
Resources
Video
The video below shows several parts of the larger loop hike as well as some drone footage of the poppy-filled hills.
Location
Exit Lake Street off of the 15 freeway and try to find parking anywhere that you can! When the poppies are blooming, you'll know where to go.
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