It turns out I have some free time coming up this week so I'm thinking of packing up my gear and heading down to Joshua Tree. Recent reports on DesertUSA.com indicate the wild flower bloom is a 6 on a 10 point scale. Weather is sunny and temperatures are running high 70s to low 80s, so I'm anticipating the bloom will continue to get better as the week progresses. I'm fairly familiar with Joshua Tree NP, having photographed there a number of times, but would be interested in getting information from anybody who has been there recently and has info on specific areas where there appears to be good bloom. Thanks.
Nalu
Loc: Southern Arizona
Lots of people are thinking like you. The crowds in borrego springs this weekend were like the locals have never seen. It's amazing how people who have never driven on dirt roads can mess everything up for everybody. The flowers in Borrego are amazing. Too bad about the crowds.
Nalu wrote:
Lots of people are thinking like you. The crowds in borrego springs this weekend were like the locals have never seen. It's amazing how people who have never driven on dirt roads can mess everything up for everybody. The flowers in Borrego are amazing. Too bad about the crowds.
Yes, I'd imagine the crowds are bigger than normal. A-B was a 9 out of 10 on the latest report I saw. I had thought about going there from Joshua Tree, but things are still in flux with my trip. We'll see. I have an off-road SUV, with plenty of desert driving experience. Not too concerned on that part.
Photographer Jim wrote:
Yes, I'd imagine the crowds are bigger than normal. A-B was a 9 out of 10 on the latest report I saw. I had thought about going there from Joshua Tree, but things are still in flux with my trip. We'll see. I have an off-road SUV, with plenty of desert driving experience. Not too concerned on that part.
I thought his comment about people not knowing what they were doing on dirt roads might have been about the dust created for others to deal with. I hadn't thought that he might be talking about getting stuck.
Nalu
Loc: Southern Arizona
Photographer Jim wrote:
Yes, I'd imagine the crowds are bigger than normal. A-B was a 9 out of 10 on the latest report I saw. I had thought about going there from Joshua Tree, but things are still in flux with my trip. We'll see. I have an off-road SUV, with plenty of desert driving experience. Not too concerned on that part.
If you are experienced, great. It's those who are not.
Appreciate the post. As I said, my primary destination is Joshua Tree. Waiting to hear is I have a Spring Training ticket for Saturday. If so will be headed there rather than south to A-B.
Thanks for the post. Yes, not surprised with a superbloom on a weekend, it would draw crowds. My destination is Joshua Tree; only considering A-B if my ticket to Saturday Cactus League game doesn't come through.
Google Philip Paine Foundation. They maintain up to date wild flower info on their website. They are a great source of California native plants but their wildflower tracking is great too.
Would that be the same as Theodore Payne Foundation?
ConradN wrote:
Would that be the same as Theodore Payne Foundation?
Yes. Knew what he meant. 😀
wesm
Loc: Los Altos CA
Photographer Jim wrote:
It turns out I have some free time coming up this week so I'm thinking of packing up my gear and heading down to Joshua Tree. Recent reports on DesertUSA.com indicate the wild flower bloom is a 6 on a 10 point scale. Weather is sunny and temperatures are running high 70s to low 80s, so I'm anticipating the bloom will continue to get better as the week progresses. I'm fairly familiar with Joshua Tree NP, having photographed there a number of times, but would be interested in getting information from anybody who has been there recently and has info on specific areas where there appears to be good bloom. Thanks.
It turns out I have some free time coming up this ... (
show quote)
Not recently, I like the walk around the inside of Hidden Valley.
I'm heading to Antelope Valley, there are lots of other places besides the preserve that might be good, particularly an Ag plot further west and north of the preserve, maybe around 205th street IIRC. You have to kind of try different roads, there's no direct path, but if the bloom is on, you just look for about a 5 acre patch of bright orange.
Also, the area just to the southwest of the preserve, there's an LA water reservoir, some beautiful hills.
Another area that might be nice, the drive up the valley to the Owens Peak wilderness, just north of Indian Wells on 14/395
wesm wrote:
Not recently, I like the walk around the inside of Hidden Valley.
I'm heading to Antelope Valley, there are lots of other places besides the preserve that might be good, particularly an Ag plot further west and north of the preserve, maybe around 205th street IIRC. You have to kind of try different roads, there's no direct path, but if the bloom is on, you just look for about a 5 acre patch of bright orange.
Also, the area just to the southwest of the preserve, there's an LA water reservoir, some beautiful hills.
Another area that might be nice, the drive up the valley to the Owens Peak wilderness, just north of Indian Wells on 14/395
Not recently, I like the walk around the inside of... (
show quote)
I will be coming through Antelope Valley area either on my way down or way back. I plan on checking things out. I know that road by the reservoir; will be sure to head out there. Thanks.
Photographer Jim wrote:
Yes. Knew what he meant. 😀
Thank you!!! for fixing my spelling. Shame on me! Now I just hope my wife never sees this :-)
CaltechNerd wrote:
Thank you!!! for fixing my spelling. Shame on me! Now I just hope my wife never sees this :-)
Just tell her the microwave hacked your computer! 😛
If you want to reply, then
register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.