|
Anza Borrego State Park (March 04) 2 Days
This was a one night trip to Anza Borrego state park in southern california. It is the largest state park in the country and most of it is accessed by dirt 4X4 roads. It was a little bit over a 2 hour drive from San Diego over the mountains and into the dessert. It was a quick one night trip, but I had to make it out there due to reports that the flowers were starting their yearly bloom. This is what I found.......
The steep road coming down in to Borrego Springs valley
The visitor center was built mostly into the ground. I wish I could have stayed longer but I had to get started on my hike of the day. I did get information from the rangers where the flowers were blooming in the area.
My hike would lead me to the countries biggest dessert oasis called Palm Canyon. Here is the trail head.
There were some really interesting plant life growing like these long green arms with bright red ends. The plants and flowers looked funny to me growing out here in the dryness.
It's always strange and beautiful to see such color and life in such a dry environment.
I could not believe it. Earlier on the trial it was a dry washbed. Now there was now a small stream running through it. Awesome.
There was even a 15 ft waterfall.
Here I am hot and sweaty in the dessert heat, but wait there is an oasis behind me. It was 1 1/2 mi of a hike to make it to palm canyon.
It felt strange under the palms in the middle of nowhere.
I hung out for a little bit and then started my way back. On the return trip the trail splits and you can take the alternative route back. It took me up a rocky mountainside.
As I round a courner I hear a rattle, look 2 ft to me left foot and my heart stopped, there is a rattle snake coiled up, angry and within striking distance. I move left and catch my breath. The rest of the hike I was carefully looking down, as I realized I dont like snakes and really dont want to run into another. Back in the parking lot I was talking to a guy about the snake and he says they are everywhere and not to worry about them. Then I show him the picture and he says, " Oh boy! thats a big one"
Looking back into Palm Canyon.
The ranger showed me on the map where nearby to go for the flowers. I had to go 4X4 for a bit. It was a blast.
The best part of walking in these fields of purple flowers was the smell. It truly smelt like a Hawaiian garden.
This is the other spot the ranger told me to go. I pulled over on a paved road and started walking back into this densely filled area of flowers and sand.
After the sun went down I returned to my truck and headed to the campground.
The next morning I was up before 6am and started my drive home along another way that took me south.
The drive back was pretty as the sun rose above the dessert. I was back at work on 12:30 this same day. It was a long two days but well worth the effort.
|
