Wildflowers abound in the foothills during the spring and early summer. Bright yellow sagebrush buttercups will be among the first to arrive, signaling spring warmth as early as February. As spring progresses, purple and white lupine will cover hillsides in the lower foothills, interspersed with large, yellow arrowleaf balsamroot. Both species will be visible well into spring as you ascend to higher elevations in the foothills. Early to mid-summer will bring fields of bachelor’s buttons. While not native, these purple flowers are commonly cultivated and have escaped from yards into the foothills. Trails at the Bogus Basin Ski Area are especially scenic, and will be a wide-variety of colors throughout the summer months due to the higher elevation.
Good bets to view wildflowers include: