LAKE ELSINORE, Calif – A super bloom of orange poppies once painted the Walker Canyon Ecological Reserve in Lake Elsinore. The sight drew thousands of people into the area causing congestion, crowding, and even trampling of the colorful poppies everyone came out to see.

“Last year’s super bloom was extremely impactful to our residents who actually couldn’t back out of their own driveways,” Mayor Pro Tem of Lake Elsinore Bob Magee said.

MORE ENVIRONMENT STORIES:

It was bumper-to-bumper traffic, with cars lining the road that led to the Walker Canyon Trailhead. This year, things are moving at a different speed with small clusters of poppies in the distance and the need for city officials like Mayor Pro Tem Magee to keep the trail closed despite other trails in Riverside County reopening.

“It is simply not feasible to maintain good social distancing out on this trail,” Magee said.

In an effort to keep visitors and poppy viewers out of the area, signs and barricades stand blocking the entrance to the Walker Canyon Ecological Reserve Trail and parking areas. But even with the signs stating the closure, some visitors still tried to take a closer look, Magee said.

 

 

“This will reopen again but not at this time,” Magee said.

Lake Elsinore city officials are evaluating when to reopen the trail on a weekly basis. But until then, visitors will have to take in the bloom from a distance.

The City of Lake Elsinore will be providing a live feed of the Walker Canyon Trail poppies on its website. City officials are asking the public to stay out of the area.