Bob & Nancy Ulrich's Day Hiking Adventures Report #JT01
Desert Flowers in
Joshua Tree National Park
Join Bob & Nancy Ulrich as they hike all over
the place and back again |
| May 1998 |
|
Near Palm Springs California |
Link
to Willow Hole Spur off Scout Trail with photos
(JT11)
The Desert is in Bloom!
The El Nino rains of 1998 resulted in a bumper crop of desert flowers.
We have attempted to capture the best of what we found.
We found this Cholla Cactus flowering at the Cholla Cactus Garden
Between the North Entrance Station and Cottonwood. A word of caution when
photographing Cholla's, Bring a pair of pliers, and wear boots. These cacti are called
jumping cacti for good reason: They appear to want to get you. I had a peace that fell
onto the trail attach itself to my boot. I have heavy backpacking boots, and it went
through
the leather like it was a tennis shoe. It took 30 minutes to remove the spines. I'm just
glad
I wasn't wearing tennis shoes. The pliers will help if you get snagged
Cholla also come in this color.
This excellent Ocotillo in bloom was near the Cholla Cactus Garden.
When driving between sites, be sure an pull off the road
at turnouts. We
found these along the road to the Cholla and Ocotillo sites.
More flowers along the way.
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