Del Puerto Canyon Field Trip – March 25th 2023

Del Puerto Canyon Field Trip – March 25th 2023

We had a great turnout for our annual del puerto canyon field trip! We were joined by Stanislaus Audubon and the Save Del Puerto Canyon organization. Over twenty eager nature enthusiasts loaded up into each others cars, and carpooled into the beautiful canyon. Along the way we stopped in a few different spots to view the roadside flora. The hills were coated in beautiful yellow, orange and purple colors. Yellow from narrow leaf gold brush (Ericameria linearifolia). Orange from California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) and foothill poppies (Eschscholzia californica). Purple from blue dicks (Dipterostemon capitatus) and lacy phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia).

Signs of the recent rains were everywhere! Many parts of the road were covered in debris where the stream washed over, or landslide rubble from erosion. The creek was full of water and flowing fast! We found several puffball (Lycoperdon spp.) mushrooms growing along the roadside as well! Even the roadside puddles were FULL of life. We found a few fairy shrimp in one small pool on the side of the road.

It is still early in the canyon with many more flowers to come! So if you have never been definitely go check it out!!

See our “Wild Places Here” page for more information about Del Puerto Canyon.