With dry, warm conditions in January and February and a cold, wet March, the PCT around my place is experiencing the most modest wildflower season in recent memory.

The place locals call “Poppy Hill” (PCT mile 146.2), a hillside which is usually covered with a beautiful carpet of orange Mexican poppies, has just a cluster here and there of the delightful, fragile flowers.

Elsewhere, you have to hunt around to find color.