If you’re able to do so, it probably would be a good idea to travel Route 66 in western Arizona and the desert of Southern California now.
The Kingman Visitor Center in Kingman, Arizona, this week posted on Facebook, including the above image, spectacular photos of wildflowers along Oatman Road (aka Route 66) west of town.
Here are more images from a local:
The Los Angeles Times last week reported on where to find the best superbloom areas in the desert of Southern California. One excerpt from the Mojave Trails National Monument, of which Route 66 cuts through:
I found good wildflowers along Amboy Road, specifically on the southern side of Sheephole Pass, and at Amboy Crater, an extinct cinder cone volcano that’s also part of the monument. Wildflowers were more sparse at the crater, but I loved how the yellow daisies and pink verbena contrasted beautifully against the black volcanic rock.
Info: From Twentynine Palms, go north on Amboy Road and pull off the road when you see flowers; you’ll probably have the desert mostly to yourself. Continue north to Amboy Crater, which connects with Route 66. You’ll find free parking, a bathroom and picnic tables. Follow the well-marked, easy trail to the cinder cone.
Here’s a recent image near Amboy Crater:
Experts say the superbloom — fueled by extensive winter rains through the region — will last through June in the higher elevations and through May in the lower sections of the desert.
(Image along Oatman Road near Oatman, Arizona, by Kingman Visitors Center via Facebook)