Spring has already come and gone, but those who know where to look can still find wildflowers in full swing.
Near the summit of Mount Diablo lies the Mary Bowerman Trail—an easily accessible space—where the cooler weather of higher elevation delays the end of the wildflower season.
The entire loop of the Mary Bowerman Trail rests just below the Mount Diablo Summit, which is 3,849 feet above sea level.
About a third of the Mary Bowerman Trail is ADA accessible up to the Ransome Point overlook, with the remainder of the trail accessible by foot.
There are 14 stops, following the Mary Bowerman trail guide (PDF) that you can obtain at the Summit Visitor Center or pick up at the trailhead.
Despite the rugged and rocky nature of the summit, there is still a significant amount of plant diversity, and right now is one of the best times of the year to appreciate it.
We’ve pulled together a list of some of our favorite finds in this area for you to keep a look out for. Here are 12 wildflowers that are known to grow along the Mary Bowerman Trail.
1. Red Larkspur, Delphinium nudicaule
2. Few-Flowered Collinsia, Collinsia sparsiflora
3. Butterfly Mariposa Lily, Calochortus venustus
4. Johnny Jump Up, Viola pedunculata
5. Pink Spineflower, Chorizanthe membranacea
6. Canyon Liveforever, Dudleya cymosa
7. Red Ribbons, Clarkia concinna
8. Coyote Mint, Monardella villosa
9. Bitterroot, Lewisia rediviva
10. Wind Poppy, Papaver heterophyllum
Photo by Alex Heyman