On May 2, 2023, I did a 7-mile out-and-back run on the Pacific Crest Trail north of SR 74. The weather was great, wildflowers were in bloom, and I saw several thru-hikers on their way to Canada!
Photos and commentary follow.
This is the trailhead on the north side of SR 74. 
Baby blue eyes provide some brilliant color. 
A sea of popcorn flowers covers the sandy soil. 
White ceanothus, which stopped blooming in Del Mar two months ago, is still in bloom at this higher elevation. 
Snow-topped San Jacinto Peak beckons in the distance, but I am not going that far today 🙂 
Instead, I follow the switchbacked trail to this much closer rocky outcrop, where I will turn around. 
At the outcrop, the trail threads its way past yuccas and a large manzanita in bloom. 
This closeup shows the bell-shaped flowers on the manzanita. 
This yucca has an impressive bloom. 
After I get to these goldfields, I decide to turn around. 
On the way back I see these Indian paintbrush blossoms that I missed before. 
I also see these unusual flowers, which are of beautiful rockcress according to an iNaturalist expert. 
A patient beetle threads its way through rocks and popcorn flowers. 
These wallflowers provide a final flourish just before I get back to my car 🙂
Wayne Pfeiffer 