You might think that the drought would be the death knell for Death Valley National Park's spring flower season. Not so, apparently. "Much to our surprise, wildflowers are turning out to have a pretty decent bloom this spring after all," says a note on the park's Facebook page, where there's a newly-posted flower report.

Rainfall in higher elevations, especially in the Panamint Mountains, has allowed a late spring bloom that park officials say may only get better as temperatures warm. An excerpt:

On paved roads:

• South of Badwater, on the west side of Salsberry Pass there are carpets of yellow Desert Dandelion, Wooly Daisy and Gold Poppy. For the full effect, visit on a sunny mid-day as the dandelion and poppys open only in direct sunlight.

• Along Highway 190, between Emigrant Campground and Towne Pass are orange Globemallow, yellow White-Stemmed Blazing Star, white Gravel Ghost, pale purple and yellow Mojave Aster and vine-like Death Valley Phacelia.

• In lower Emigrant Canyon the bloom is about to peak. Hillsides are covered with Golden Evening Primrose, white Pebble Pincushion, and lavender Fremont Phacelia and Broad-flowered Gilia.

• The showy magenta flowers of Beavertail Cactus are popping open throughout the park, and if you look closely you may also notice the green flowers on the Golden Cholla.

• Bit by bit, high desert flowers like scarlet Indian Paintbrush, richly-hued Indigo Bush, sky-blue Desert Larkspur, tall spikes of Princes Plume and multi-colored Hopsage are just starting to appear.

Image: Death Valley National Park