I am currently looking at three areas, The railroad trail in Lake Mead. North Shore rd and Valley of Fire. I will also be checking different websites for the latest reports as good areas for wildflowers vary year to year. If you have any ideas feel free to pass them along

This is my personal favorite website for wildflower info: http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/wildupdates.html

The railroad trail would be a great place to meet. Plenty of parking, restrooms, and a well maintained trail. We bike there quite often so know the trail well. This can be a hike that can be managed even by those that aren't hikers.

Hi Mark
I like the railroad trail as well and have seen wildflowers as early as a valentine weekend back in the 90's.

I posted a wildflower meetup topic on the bbs as Jan suggested that I link to her night shoot meetup and go to Death Valley the next day for the wildflower meetup

Another good area is up in the Sheep Range... Joe May Canyon.

Susan
That would be a good idea for a meetup sometime in April

Actually, this date is probably too early to get much. The reports are showing late March-early April for optimum bloom.

Hi Susan
This county generally does not get fields of wildflowers. Except for areas like Corn Cr rd/ Mormon flats that require a 4WD. At the lower evelations it is still most very small areas of wild flowers at best. BTW their is a chance of rain next monday. Let hope there is a good amount in the Henderson/BC area.

where are we meeting and taking the photos?

I will be scouting locations this weekend to see the best locations in Las Vegas to Lake mead. I do have three locations in mind as the best choices for wildflowers this early in the season.

Attention Everyone.
I was out at scouting several locations and found that there was next to nothing in the way of wildflowers so I am postponing this meetup until March 28th. I talked to a couple of Park Rangers at Lake Mead and they while they expect wildflowers this year it has been too cold so far this year for any type of early bloom.

Death valley would be better for this

Hi OC
Death Valley would be great but it is more difficult to organize, as either you have toget people to drive the two hours to Death Valley or get a van and everyone splits the expense. So cost is another factor
But there is another reason and that it there is a challenge to taking photographs of individual wild flowers and that is you have to take photo's from different angles and that includes lying on your stomach to take the shot.

I was there this weekend. Not a wildflower in sight. According to the ranger, It's been too cold in DV for wildflowers (even at the valley floor). As well, I think the rainfall has not been cooperative there this year. You'll likely have better luck close to rainy Vegas.

Is everyone meeting @ 93 & Lakeshore Dr? Any reports about "the flowers"?

Michael Caristo

So is this thing a go?

Just walking around in undeveloped land in the NW this morning, I saw many wild mallows starting to pop. Next week should be even better.

Yes, it is a go. I hope to be over this cold and it's effects by sunday(Knocking on wood) andready to go. The parking lot is below the visiters center. No reports of flowers except for one on Lakeshore dr on I believe the DesertUSA website. I have to double check that one. Also one of the Rangers told me that every few years they have a massive bloom directly off of US93 near the Gas station and or the Casino so I am going to check that out before the meetup.

Randy

One more comment Be sure to bring enough WATER. The most important thing in the desert, sunblock, and a hat to protect yourself from the sun..

It was great to see Randy and Joe at the meetup this morning. We ended up meeting at the railroad trail and going to the hatchery where the wildflowers were more abundant. Now to find the time to do some post so I can see what I got this morning.

Sorry about not showing up! I woke up with a terrible head cold this morning! I decided not to spread it to the rest of you.
The weather was so gorgeous, I am jealous! Hope you got some great shots!!!!

Showed up. Parking lot full of bike people, didn't see anyone.
Went to info center. Nobody there. Nice empty lot though...
So I just shot some stuff and left. I mostly shoot on
weekdays anyway. Parks are just too much of a zoo on
weekends. Unless I want to shoot the zoo..

There weren't very many flowers around the rr trail so we waited until about 10:20 and then went on into the park to find more flowers. There were a total of 5 of us that stood around for about 25 minutes to see who else was going to show up.

Hi Don
Sorry that you missed us as we did wait 25 minutes before deciding that no one else was going to show up and we changed plans as a group.

couldn't find anyone either although came later but walked the entire trail and back didn't see any group who looked like photographers, maybe a guy with back pack and two gals mostly bikers

Danver A.
Do you remember what part in teh NW where you saw the flowers?

OC

What time did you make it to the meetup?

Probably not till 10:45 or so thought I would catch up with people on trail since it is one way in and out

I posted some pics I shot yesterday if anyone is interested