'Super bloom' wildflower trail closed indefinitely after photo-seeking visitors trample flowers

People photograph California poppies after prolonged record drought gave way to heavy winter rains, causing one of the biggest wildflower blooms in years on March 16, 2017 at Diamond Valley Lake, near Hemet, California. less People photograph California poppies after prolonged record drought gave way to heavy winter rains, causing one of the biggest wildflower blooms in years on March 16, 2017 at Diamond Valley Lake, near Hemet, ... more Photo: David McNew, Getty Images Photo: David McNew, Getty Images Image 1 of / 28 Caption Close 'Super bloom' wildflower trail closed indefinitely after photo-seeking visitors trample flowers 1 / 28 Back to Gallery

Unprecedented crowds eager to snap photos of the California super bloom have damaged a wildflower trail so badly that it is now closed indefinitely.

The Wildflower Trail at Diamond Valley Lake in Riverside County is currently shuttered after patches of the stunning wildflowers were trampled into oblivion.

The Metropolitan Water District, which maintains the area, told KPCC that the primary problem is that people are walking off-trail to take photos among the wildflowers. Environmental specialists brought in to assess the damage noted bare patches and flattened flowers.

Overly enthusiastic visitors trample wildflowers in attempt to snap photos, leading to trail closure https://t.co/1FXfeImvdd pic.twitter.com/CboZrtUTwp — 89.3 KPCC (@KPCC) April 4, 2017

"It's upsetting to see the destruction," MWD environmental specialist Alex Marks told KPCC. "'Cause you can stand back and you can see the beauty of it without getting so close and trampling everything."

MORE: Where to see the best of California's spring super bloom

Thanks to a rainy winter and spring, California — and Southern California in particular — is experiencing a wildflower "super bloom." According to one professor of geography, this spring's super bloom is the best since the "once in a lifetime" flowering of 2005.

Desert asters, desert dandelions, Parishes poppies, sand verbena, phacelia and lupine are expected to reach peak bloom in April, depending on the park.

Diamond Valley Lake is adding signs that caution people to stay on clearly designated trails and may plant native wildflowers in spots damaged by visitors. Staff will also be added to monitor crowds and keep visitors and wildlife safe.