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SouthwestBlend.com presents Wildflower Guide 2005 |
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Wildflower Guide 2005 For map, click here. Joshua Tree NP and Morongo Basin area All blooms are referenced to the Wildflowers of Joshua Tree National Park brochure available at the park visitor centers and other locations throughout the area. Bold indicates plant is blooming Code # refers to the companion Wildflower Guide Map
Notes: The majority of the Park, especially at the higher elevations, is not yet in bloom. However, there are showy displays in the Cottonwood area (4), south of the visitor center and in the Kaiser Road area (17) near Desert Center described below.The area along I-10 between the Cottonwood turnoff into JTNP and Desert Center is ablaze with wildflowers, especially lupines. Desert sunflowers are beautifully common on I-10 before the turnoff. All the dirt roads, as referenced, are well maintained and okay for passenger cars. They are, however, Metropolitan Water district Private Roads so you travel at your own risk. Directions for the Eagle Mountain Rd loop area 17 Travel east on I-10 from the Cottonwood exit. Approximately 19miles beyond Chiriaco Summit is the Eagle Mountain Road off ramp, drive north. Shortly after turning, Eagle Mountain Road meets Ragsdale Rd. (the frontage road from Desert Center); set your odometer to 0. In 1.9 miles turn left (west) on the wide dirt road. In 1.5 miles you will cross over railroad tracks, continue for another .2 miles, turning right at the T. You are now going north within the boundary of the National Park across the bouldery skirts of Eagle Mountain on a well maintained Metropolitan Water District dirt road. You will cross several washes. After 2.4 miles the road turns right. Park here, off the road, and walk west up the Big Wash. You will be amazed! The entire area is full of wildflowers and scenic vistas. Take the right turn to reach Eagle Mountain Rd. Do not go left without a high clearance vehicle, the section of the road going north is not passable for passenger cars. Turn right toward I-10 and then take Ragsdale Rd. 3 miles to Desert Center. This area is open woodland with ironwood, palo verde, and mesquite trees, many types of cactus, shrubs, and showy annuals. It is critical habitat for the desert tortoise. If you should be so lucky as to see a tortoise, remember not to disturb it. It will cross the road as fast as it needs to, while you take pictures and think on this critter whose ancestors have been around for millions of years. The Desert Lily Preserve is particularly good for dune primrose and sand verbena at this time. It is several miles north of Desert Center, east of Hwy 177and well signed. The flowery low dunes are to the southeast of the entrance Return to Twentynine Palms by Hwy 177 and 62. Along the road you will see dune primrose and other annuals. In the Clark’s Pass area on Hwy 62 look for clumps of the rarely seen and luscious large yellow primrose.Maps covering this area AAA Riverside County, California Regional Series Tom Harrison Maps- Joshua Tree National Park Recreation Map National Geographic Tails Illustrated-Joshua Tree National Park For more information call the 29Palms Chamber of Commerce (760) 367-3445 or email marketing@29chamber.com To see pictures of blooms www.nps.gov/jotr/
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