Billie Outlaw in the red hat, leader of our hikes, is checking the maps for our 6+ mile hike in the Elfin Forest, back to the Lake Hodges overlook. We crossed a rippling stream that evidenced a recent flood, circumvented the large dammed Olivenhein Reservoir and climbed a long grade to the overlook of three lakes, one of which is Lake Hodges. Many mountainous wildflowers greeted us as we trekked the rugged hillside; Chuparosa, Desert Lupine, Poppies and Primroses dotted the sides of the trail. Mountain biking is a favourite sport on this trail, so we needed to beware of them in front and behind us.
It is truly amazing that some of these fragile looking flowers, in this case the Desert Lupine, can survive in so little earth, mostly sand, with so little water. It doesn't take much of a rainfall and warmer temps to bring out the blooms. Yes, and it keeps the bees busy as they visit blooms and pollinate as they go. Love the colours in so many unexpected places.
Hidden, curled and in strike position is a small rattlesnake! If you look very closely, hidden deeply in the foliage of the upper third on the left side, framed by twigs and toward the centre, you may be able to see his brown-black looking body...he is rather well camouflaged, but he is the first I have seen, ever! This is as close as I want to get to a yet hibernating? rattlesnake! It may be just my eyes, but can you see a gold coloured "R" on his side????
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