Field Trip to Joshua Tree National Park

The National Park Service is celebrating its centennial year in 2016, and Joshua Tree National Park is one of its crown jewels. It is situated north of Interstate 10 freeway, and east of Palm Springs. The Colorado and Mohave Desert, and the Pacific and North America plates meet at the Park; multiple mountain ranges run through it; and the elevation ranges from 506 ft (154 m) to 5,814 ft (1,772 m). At this convergence is a treasure trove of plants representing all these regions, including the fantastical Joshua Tree, which looks like something out of a Dr. Seuss book!

A dusting of snow on Mount San Jacinto

The weather had been cool and wet in the days before my folks and I visited Joshua Tree, so it was not surprising to see snow on Mount San Jacinto on our approach. We entered the park from the south, and made a stop on the large wash between the Bajada Nature Trail and Cottonwood Visitor Center. We saw native tamarisk, poppy, chia, phacelia, desert lavender, cheese bush, purple mat, and the beautiful, shimmering sand blazing star.

Desert explorers

Flower display in the wash between the Bajada Nature Trail and Cottonwood Visitor Center

Sand blazing star, with its shimmering petals

Over the years we have been observing Palo Verde trees infected with mistletoe in this area. The Palo Verde trees no doubt became vulnerable during the drought. Many of the trees appear to be finally dead, along with their mistletoe parasites, but closer inspection reveals dormant mistletoe seeds that are available to be eaten and dispersed.

Palo Verde tree that has succumbed to mistletoe

The Visitor Center was hopping with people stopping in for the latest news. Many schools are on spring break this time of year, so this is a great time for families and students to visit the park, along with the flower lovers of all ages. We saw several Prince’s Plumes at the Center.

Bladder pods, full with moisture

Cholla spp.

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In the higher elevation near Cholla Cactus Garden, we hiked out on the desert floor. We saw bladder pod and Cholla cactus in bloom, and pencil Cholla ready to bloom. The desert lavender was buzzing with pollinators, and very fragrant. We saw male and female Jojoba plants (dioecious). The females had already bloomed and produced seeds. I find Jojoba very difficult to photograph, since its many vertical leaves catch the wind and are in constant motion. I have many blurry pictures to prove it!

Female and mail Jojoba

Phacelia spp.

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Near Skull Rock we enjoyed hiking around the distinctive “monzogranite” rocks and boulders. We saw Beavertail cactus and Yucca schidigera in bloom; Chuparosa that was on the verge of blooming; and the shimmering remnants of tent caterpillars. The boulders and rocks attract rock climbers of all ages and abilities. The sky and air always seem especially clear and beautiful in this area.

Distinctive Joshua trees, schidigera cactus, and monzogranite boulders

To finish off the day, we headed for The Rib Company in Twentynine Palms for delicious half-racks of ribs and all the trimmings. We enjoyed our dinner, and reviewed the events of the day, before heading for home into the sunset.