Popular Wildflower Trail opens to public this Wednesday, Feb. 16

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is opening its seasonal Wildflower Trail at Diamond Valley Lake Wednesday (Feb. 16), offering visitors spectacular views of the district’s 4.5 mile-long lake and spring wildflowers.

The Wildflower Trail will be open Wednesdays through Sundays at the lake in Hemet in southwestern Riverside County. Though a “super bloom” like that seen in past years is not anticipated, early season rains, like the storms that swept through the area in December, typically usher in larger blooms of wildflowers. Among the flowers found at Diamond Valley Lake are California poppies, deep blue arroyo lupines, purple Canterbury bells, yellow rancher’s fiddleneck, white popcorn flowers, and pink red maids.

The trail is part of the Southwestern Riverside County Multi-Species Reserve, which Metropolitan helped create in 1992, covering 9,000 acres surrounding Diamond Valley Lake and connecting to Lake Skinner.

The trail’s 1.3-mile loop is accessible from the DVL Marina’s parking lot, with entry off Domenigoni and Searl Parkways in Hemet. It is rated as an easy-to-moderate hike with some rugged terrain. Hours are 6:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (no entry after 3:30 p.m.). The trails and marina are closed Mondays and Tuesdays. In addition to hiking, the lake offers opportunities for boating, fishing and bike riding.

The Southland’s largest drinking water reservoir, Diamond Valley Lake was dedicated in 2000, nearly doubling the region’s surface water storage capacity to help safeguard Southern California from drought and emergencies. It holds up to 264 billion gallons, which can be routed to most of Metropolitan’s service area.

Visitors are asked to refrain from picking the wildflowers and are encouraged to stay on trails to protect the area’s wildlife and avoid rattlesnakes. Dogs are not permitted on the trails. Parking is $11 ($5 for those 62 years and older, military members and veterans), and the trail fee is $4 per person. Pontoon boat rental and fishing information is available at dvmarina.com.

Information on California Friendly® and native plants and water-saving tips are at bewaterwise.com.

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a state-established cooperative that, along with its 26 cities and retail suppliers, provide water for 19 million people in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other resource-management programs.

Note to editors: Photos of previous wildflower blooms at Diamond Valley Lake are available.

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