My folks and I spent a day exploring Joshua Tree National Park, another favorite spot on our annual Southern California desert tour (see the report from 2012). We
visited during the week, so missed the weekend crowds; but did encounter a
short delay for the Pinto Basin Road Renovation project, and were not able to
stop at the Cholla Cactus Garden. The weather was beautiful and warm, and a
brisk breeze kept the vistas clear and the temperature comfortable.
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| Bajada at the Southern Entrance |
On Interstate 10, we noted that the Palo Verde trees were
blooming yellow (they rely on the chlorophyll in their trunks for
photosynthesis), and the Ocotillo were blooming red (few had leaves on their
stems, indicating the dry conditions). We entered the Park through the Southern
entrance, stopping at the Bajada Nature Trail for the quarter mile loop (wheel
chair accessible). We learned that a bajada is an alluvial fan or wash at the
base of a mountain. Everything in this area was dry, dry, dry. Many plants and
trees looked nearly dead, indicating they have fallen back to survival mode.
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| Very dry Ironwood tree on the Bajada Nature Trail |
We stopped at the Cottonwood Visitor Center to pick up
several maps. Here at the higher elevation, the plants looked much
healthier. We saw lots of Mohave Yucca (Yucca
schidigera), well past the blossom stage and into seed production; and identified
Jojoba, Datura, Chuparosa, Creosote, and Cholla cactus. We headed toward Hidden
Valley, on a tip from an article by David Danelski in the Press Enterprise, about
Joshua Trees blooming like crazy this year. He reported several theories, one
of which is that drought stressed trees are putting all their energy into seed production
to ensure survival. We were too late to see the blooms, but could see that
almost every branch of every Joshua Tree had sported them.
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| Joshua Trees of the Mohave Desert |
We stopped at Jumbo Rocks and Hidden Valley to walk the
desert floor and climb on the fabulous rock formations. Many rock climbers train
and climb in this area. We identified scrubby Juniper trees,
Mojave Mound cactus, Barrel Cactus, Bladder Pod, Jojoba, Desert Trumpet, Mormon Tea (with multiple flowers at the joints), as
well as Joshua Trees and Yucca. We saw lots of mistletoe, lizards, and even
evidence of tent caterpillars.
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| Rock climbing at Jumbo Rocks |
My folks and I ended our day at the Rib Company in
Twentynine Palms, with tasty half racks and all the fixings.
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| Mojave Mound cactus |
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| Cactus |
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| Lichen colonies |
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| Joshua Tree seed pods |
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