Mar 7, Wildflowers of Short Canyon

Join Friends of the Inyo on a wildflower exploration of Short Canyon, an Area of Critical Environmental Concern with spectacular botanical resources at the edge of the Owens Peak Wilderness. Short Canyon has spectacular wildflower displays. After a wet winter, the canyon explodes with bright yellow coreopsis, orange California poppies, white buckwheats, purple gilias and vivid blue phacelias. In addition to these, over 290 different species of plants have been described within this relatively small Eastern Sierra Canyon. Within the span of less than an hour, you can experience three distinct ecotones - the Mojave Desert, Great Basin and Sierra Nevada - all in an area covering less than 1,200 acres.

The Short Canyon trail is located within the 74,640 acre Owens Peak Wilderness and is open to hikers and equestrians throughout the year. From the trailhead at the edge of the wilderness, the 3/4-mile long hiking trail leads into the main canyon above a 20 foot high waterfall that flows after a wet winter. The first 300 feet of the trail a bit steep, but eventually the trail levels off as it follows the edge of the stream. At the far west end of the canyon this maintained trail leads to a network of unmaintained routes that follow Meet at the trailhead parking lot at 9am. For questions and to carpool from the Hwy 395 and 14 junction contact Jora - jora@friendsoftheinyo.org

Also visit the Friends of the Inyo website - http://friendsoftheinyo.org/foiD7/node/1416

From the intersection of US 395 and SR 14 travel north for 1 mile to the Leliter Road exit. On the west side of the highway follow the Short Canyon signs, and take the graded dirt road west to the Powerline Road and then travel south for 1/2-mile to the intersection with BLM Route SE138. Follow this graded dirt road all the way to the parking lot and trailhead. The access road is graded and usually passable in a 2-wheel drive vehicle.