California’s wildflower superbloom explodes in the Sierra Nevada foothills. See the photos
By Craig Kohlruss and
Bryant-Jon Anteola
The hills are alive with ... the sight of flowers.
That might not be exactly what Julie Andrews sang in the movie classic “Sound of Music.”
But one glance at the numerous wildflowers in bloom around the central San Joaquin Valley and one will can see certainly that the spring blossoms have brought renewed energy and life all around.
Especially in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada.
From the Common madia to the California poppy and more, vibrant wildflowers of various colors can be found along the nearby San Joaquin River Trail (30 miles north of Fresno) and beyond.
In addition, the continuous rain and water from the melting snow during the late winter and early spring have helped many waterfalls in the mountains roar again.
But folks don’t have to go all the way up to the mountains to see the big changes.
The Sierra Nevada foothills already are are bursting with a rainbow of colors and flowing creeks.
They’re the type of sights and sounds that attract many tourists and visitors from all around, and that locals can enjoy with a simple day trip.
Maria Mendoza, left, of Fresno, admires a wild lupine bloom as her daughter Marina, 18, and husband Jay follow behind with their dogs Happy and Kaiser on the San Joaquin River Trail upslope from Millerton Lake on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Blue dicks grow on a hillside along the San Joaquin River Trail on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Wildflowers grow next to the San Joaquin River Trail on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Wildflowers including California poppies and wild lupines grow on a hillside near the San Joaquin River Trail on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Common madia wildflowers grow next to the San Joaquin River Trail on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Bird’s-eye gilia flowers grow next to the San Joaquin River Trail on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Fiddlenecks sprout up around a fallen tree branch along the San Joaquin River Trail on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Wildflowers cover a sunny spot along the San Joaquin River Trail on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Purple flowers from a wild thistle give a pop of color on a hillside along the San Joaquin River Trail upslope from Millerton Lake on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Fiesta flowers grow next to the San Joaquin River Trail on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
A hiker walks along the San Joaquin River Trail near a wildflower bloom on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Wild lupines bloom next to the San Joaquin River Trail and upper Millerton Lake on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
A California poppy pops from a shadow along the San Joaquin River Trail on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
California goldfields bloom along the San Joaquin River Trail on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
The San Joaquin River Trail marker is posted at the trailhead at the South Finegold Picnic Area on Millerton Lake. The trail is a great spot to see wildflowers in the spring. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Wildflowers grow along a hillside as table mountains rise in the background as seen along the San Joaquin River Trail on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
This story was originally published April 13, 2023 at 7:19 PM.
Craig Kohlruss is a photographer, videographer and drone pilot for The Fresno Bee. He has been a part of The Bee’s visual team since 1999. His work has been recognized by the California News Publishers Association, the National Press Photographers Association, the California Press Photographers Association and other journalism organizations. Support my work with a digital subscription
Bryant-Jon Anteola is a multimedia reporter for The Fresno Bee, writing stories and producing videos about sports, news and random topics relatable to those in the Fresno area. He’s won a McClatchy President’s Award and received honorable mention by the Associated Press Sports Editors. He enjoys sports because of the competition, camaraderie and energy, and views sports as a microcosm of society.
