Ignore the overcast skies and the $10 shuttle rides. Forget about last weekend’s fist fights and traffic jams. Never mind the hourlong wait. None of it served to dissuade more than 16,000 flower lovers.
Kelly Su and her daughter, Amelia, 5 months, sit in a field of poppies in Walker Canyon in Lake Elsinore on Saturday.
Overall, flower fanatics who arrived in Lake Elsinore early Saturday behaved themselves — at least it was an improvement over last week when the large crowds caused gridlock, traffic jams and skirmishes that overwhelmed the city. No matter, Yung said. She went to bed early the night before to ensure she’d have a “good attitude,” despite the inconveniences. Everyone seemed in good spirits as they zoomed north on I-15. Couples chatted and snuggled. Tweens pointed at the hillsides exploding with yellow and purple flowers. Everyone smiled and delighted at the scenery — an appetizer before the main course.
Shane Reichardt, a spokesman for the Riverside County Emergency Management Department, said it was challenging to keep visitors on the main trail in the canyon because it cut through a hodgepodge of various jurisdictions.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘Super bloom’ shutdown: Lake Elsinore shuts access after crowds descend on poppy fieldsLake Elsinore officials call the stampede on Walker Canyon a 'poppy nightmare.' Record-breaking wet weather earlier this year helped create this year's super bloom.
Read more »
A day after super bloom shutdown, Lake Elsinore reopens Walker Canyon, looks to alleviate jamsThe city is now reevaluating how best to handle all the sightseers, and officials are working on a new plan for the coming weekend. “We’re going to be changing our plan of attack,” Mayor Steve Manos said.
Read more »
'Super bloom' crowds prompt Lake Elsinore to double shuttle fares and close roadsTrying to visit the super bloom at Lake Elsinore this weekend? Expect detours and road closures designed to improve heavy traffic. Shuttles will transport all visitors to the poppy fields at $10, double last weekend’s fare of $5
Read more »
Pechanga tribe gives Lake Elsinore $100,000 to deal with super-bloom crowdsThe Pechanga Tribal Council says it wants to help protect the natural beauty of its ancestral lands. The city plans to use the money to help handle crowds drawn to the area’s super bloom of wildflowers.
Read more »
Can we have good things? New super bloom rules hope to tame big crowds, traffic gridlockCan Southern Californians have good things? We might find out this weekend when officials impose new rules to meant to control rampant crowds going to see this year’s epic “super bloom” of wildflowers in Lake Elsinore.
Read more »
Can we have nice things? New super bloom rules hope to tame crowds and trafficShuttles will transport all visitors to the poppy fields at a cost of $10, double last weekend’s fare of $5.
Read more »
Tens of thousands converge on California 'poppy apocalypse'LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. (AP) — Like Dorothy in the 'Wizard of Oz,' the Southern California city of Lake Elsinore is being overwhelmed by the power of the poppies.
Read more »
Tens of thousands converge on California 'poppy apocalypse'About 150,000 people flocked to see this year's rain-fed flaming orange patches of poppies lighting up the hillsides near the Southern California city of Lake Elsinore.
Read more »
‘Poppy Apocalypse’: Small California city overrun by thousands of tourists declares ‘public safety crisis’'This weekend has been unbearable,” Lake Elsinore officials said Sunday after the city was inundated with 'Disneyland size crowds' of people wanting to see its famed California golden poppy blooms.
Read more »