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Post by rockpickerforever on Mar 17, 2017 9:25:39 GMT -5
Took a ride out to Anza-Borrego with my brother and sister yesterday to see the wildflower blooms. While pretty spectacular after all the extra rain this winter, I have seen it better. Don't even bother going on a weekend, the crowds are terrible even on weekdays!
Here's a few of the pics, you can see more here (92 total): link to album
Park Headquarters, Borrego Springs
Indian Head
Beavertail Cactus
Barrel cactus
Hedgehog cactus
Farther south in the park at Mountain Palm Springs. Barrel cactus and desert sunflower.
Palm Grove.
View to the southeast from Mountain Palm Springs. Coyote Mtns, I think. Cholla cactus in foreground.
View to Southwest from just out of southern end of park.
93 degrees out there, but it was a fun day. Thanks for looking.
Jean
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Post by 1dave on Mar 17, 2017 9:30:41 GMT -5
Jean, you always put on a great show!
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napoleonrags
Cave Dweller 
Member since October 2015
Posts: 474 
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Post by napoleonrags on Mar 17, 2017 10:51:13 GMT -5
Beautiful. I hope to make a trip out this week to the Pawnee Grasslands. Haven't had much rain though.
Nice tour,
Colin
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Post by Garage Rocker on Mar 17, 2017 19:24:26 GMT -5
Very nice, Jean. Thanks for sharing. Cold snap here has hit the budding trees and flowers hard.
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Post by Pat on Mar 17, 2017 19:44:15 GMT -5
I love the desert!
Jean, thanks for the tour.
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,359
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Post by quartz on Mar 17, 2017 23:42:04 GMT -5
We saw a little blip about this on the local news yesterday, it was just a teaser for what you put up. Thank you.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,723
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Post by Fossilman on Mar 18, 2017 9:42:48 GMT -5
That Desert beauty always puts me in awe!!!! Thanks for sharing Jean!!
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Erich
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2015
Posts: 411
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Post by Erich on Mar 18, 2017 9:59:02 GMT -5
Thanks for the show, a nice change for this Florida boy.
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Post by drocknut on Mar 18, 2017 10:06:46 GMT -5
Great pictures as usual. The desert here is blooming too. Guess I could go take some pictures too. I did take one of a fairy duster in Quartzsite before I left there but photobucket isn't cooperating with me right now.
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612
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Post by jamesp on Mar 19, 2017 3:05:11 GMT -5
oasis
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2017 11:03:00 GMT -5
Palm grove is an actual oasis, I think? |
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
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Post by jamesp on Mar 19, 2017 13:09:28 GMT -5
Palm grove is an actual oasis, I think? Curious how deep the water table is. |
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Deleted
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Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2017 13:11:06 GMT -5
Palm grove is an actual oasis, I think? Curious how deep the water table is. Less than 20' for the palms. Probably 0' after a series of wet years. |
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Post by rockpickerforever on Mar 19, 2017 13:40:24 GMT -5
I was going to comment on the use of the word "Oasis." I always think of an oasis as having standing water. But a quick check on line says is usually has water, not always.
This is a map of Anza-Borrego. Mountain Palm Springs is located in the southern end of the park. 
See the I-8 towards the bottom center of map? Go north to Bow Willow Campground, then Northeast and you will see Mtn Palm Springs. It is on the west side of S2.
Here is a topo of the area, showing the various groves. 
We park where it says "trailhead parking" and have lunch. Normally, we walk to the west to Pygmy Grove, sometimes even continuing on to Southwest Grove, where there normally is a little bit of water on the surface of the sand. If you continue, you will arrive at Torote Bowl (not on this map), where there is an elephant tree. Continue onward an upward, you will arrive at Bow Willow campground.
Photo of North Grove (from the American Southwest website) 
North side of the North Grove, looking back downhill towards parking area (white sand area center of photo). 
Well, this time, it was too hot to go too far, so we hiked north from the parking are, up to North Grove. Just kicked back in the shade of the palms and cooled down a little before returning to the car. To get to the North Grove, you walk up the dry wash. But as the elevation increases, and the creek bed narrows as it goes into the canyon, you can tell there is water beneath the surface. Not sure how far down, but certain you would hit it if you dig a little ways.
So, an oasis does not have to have water! |
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Post by beefjello on Mar 19, 2017 17:58:56 GMT -5
Beautiful pictures thank you Jean!
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Post by rockpickerforever on Mar 20, 2017 9:28:55 GMT -5
What comes to mind when I think palm oasis -
This palm oasis is located NE of the Salton Sea. Has a nice pathway through it, alongside flowing water. The air temp among the palms was a good 20 degrees cooler than the desert air outside. Much more humid as well. We went there with Rick and Becky (@shotgunner ), along with others. Rick considered helping himself to this sign - 
Photos taken New Year's Day, 2005. My camera was screwing up, so only got a few pics.
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Post by rockjunquie on Mar 20, 2017 16:02:18 GMT -5
Thank you for the picture show. Very different environment than around here, that's for sure. I am really impressed with the palms- they look so primeval.
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Post by rockpickerforever on Mar 20, 2017 17:49:15 GMT -5
The palm oasis is called Dos Palmas Oasis, although there are quite a few more than two palms.
Here's a link to Google Images search. Mucho agua!
ETA - Here's a map to get an idea where it is located (AKA Hidden Springs Oasis):
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 21, 2017 14:09:28 GMT -5
The palm grove I visited always had standing pools of water. Pretty nice area down there. Our flowers are just getting started. I noticed the hills around Stoddard wells had violet canyons from the lupines blooming. A lot of the desert marigolds along the I-40 yesterday. Lots of desert lilies up this year but not blooming yet.
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Post by paulshiroma on Mar 22, 2017 22:28:57 GMT -5
Great photos, Jean!
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