The Parker Lake Trail in the Ansel Adams Wilderness might be the best effort-to-reward ratio of any mountain hike in the Eastern Sierra. The destination is a glacially carved lake with water so clear it carries a faint turquoise tint, framed by rugged Sierra peaks. But if you slow down and look closely, there's a whole other hike happening alongside the scenic one. Early summer is when wildflowers push through dry scrub, bees move between blooms, and streams run full with snowmelt. I hiked to Parker Lake at the start of July and paid attention to the details. Here is what I found.

Mori Point, located just south of Pacifica, is a beautiful place on the Californian coastline and is only a short drive from San Francisco. With its rugged bluffs, the wild ocean crashing at the shore, black beaches, carpets of wildflowers in spring, and abundant wildlife, Mori Point is a great example of what is possible when restoring natural landscapes after decades of exploitation.

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is a wonderful place to admire the immense biodiversity and beauty of the Californian Central Coast. There are numerous trails within the reserve that allow you to immerse yourself in stunning scenery, ranging from coastal bluffs providing habitat for — among many others — harbor seals, sea lions, pelicans, and great blue herons, to dense forests with yellow-green lichens hanging mythically from the trees, often shrouded in fog.

The Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve is a remarkable place to witness the spring bloom of California’s state flower. In summer, the landscape looks as if the sun has scorched every trace of life from the ground, and it’s hard to imagine anything could thrive there. Yet in spring, nature proves otherwise, as wildflowers push through the dry soil, creating a vivid display of color across the reserve.