Coastal wildflower hikes for spring

Springtime means wildflowers, and Coastal Living magazine’s April issue recommends 10 coastal hikes where trails yield carpets of color. The hikes are:

1 Portland Island, British Columbia:Part of Canada’s Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, reachable only by private boat or rental kayak from Vancouver Island. Best time to go: April and May.

2 Sea Pines Forest Preserve,Hilton Head, S.C.: Best time to go: Late March to April.

3 Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan:Take the Bay View hiking and ski trail to Lookout Point. Best time to go: Saturdays in June, when rangers offer free guided hikes.

4 Yellow Island in Washington’s San Juan Islands:You can glimpse it from a boat, book a charter or kayak tour to the island from Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, or rent a boat at Deer Harbor Marina on Orcas. Best time to go: Late April to early May.

5 Point Reyes National Seashore in California:The Chimney Rock trail leads to cliffs over Drakes Bay. Best time to go: Late March until May.

6 Deer Isle, Maine:A schooner runs lupine cruises and the annual Lupine Festival is June 19-21.

7 Aransas National Wildlife Refuge:There are paths through marshes and fields, or drive the 16-mile tour loop. Best time to go: April-May.

8 Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland, Canada:Visit the Green Gardens Trail and the Lomond River Trail. Best time to go: June-August.

9 Homer, Alaska:Visit the Carl E. Wynn Nature Center overlooking Kachemak Bay. Wildflowers such as fireweed can be seen in various parts of the state through the summer.

10 Anacapa Island in California:Best time to go: Through April.