Wildflowers

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Update March 16, 2009:

The Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office offers several great locations for wildflower viewing for those looking for a scenic drive. While the wildflower bloom is not as spectacular or intense as spring of 2008 due to the late rainfall, there are sections in eastern region of Riverside County that received springs rain that have not seen any significant amount since 2005. While this means you may not encounter vast carpets of wildflowers, there is a wider variety of species to look for while hiking.  At this time, the bloom is peaking in the eastern part of Riverside County which has been seeing warmer temperatures and lies at a lower elevation.  As the season progresses, the bloom is expected to move to higher elevations in the Field Office which will provide wildflower shows through April and into May.  This season looks like it might also be a great year for flowering desert shrub and tree species, so keep an eye on the desert willow and smoke trees while driving around, especially in late April and early May. (text continues below)

Beavertail cactus in bloom

One scenic drive to consider if you are looking for a place to view wildflowers would be to take a scenic loop between Indio and Blythe. Start by traveling Interstate 10 east of Indio to Hwy 177 at Desert Center, then north to Hwy 62,  east to Midland Road then south back to Interstate 10 at Blythe where you can return to Indio. This would be a full day of driving, or you can break it up into two sections by staying overnight and enjoying an evening along the Colorado River in Blythe or at Corn Springs Campground in the Chuckwalla Mountains. 

Areas to check out along the way would include the Palen McCoy Dunes and the 2,000 acre Desert Lily Sanctuary located eight miles north of Desert Center. You can hike around and search for  the elegant Desert Lily in flat, sandy  ground between the creosote bushes and desert dandelions, and desert sunflowers.  If you continue on the dirt road that travels the north edge of the sanctuary, the road will end at the Palen Dunes.  In this area, you can hike through the dunes and look for California evening primrose and sand verbena.  If you are alert, you may catch a glimpse of the fleet footed Mojave fringe-toed lizard. (continued below)

An evening primrose blooms amid desert sands...

...and in close-up:

If you continue north on Hwy 177, you will come to the Palen Pass Road. Those of you with 4WD vehicles can detour here and climb through the Palen Pass or head down the eastern edge of the Palen Dunes. If you take Palen Pass Road, you will need a 4WD vehicle due to sandy stretches that you will encounter. Travel this road for two miles then turn right and head south down the Palen McCoy Dune Road and follow the base of the mountain south to Ford Dry Lake and Interstate 10.  This area offers spectacular glimpse of the Palen Dunes and photographic opportunities for evening primrose with the McCoy Mountains as a backdrop. Early morning lighting in the dunes provides the best setting.  If you choose to take the Palen Pass Road, this drive will reward you with spectacular views of the Granite and Palen Mountains to the north and south, and the Eagle and McCoy mountains to the west, all of which are uncharacteristically green due to the large amount of rain stimulated vegetation. (more below)

Desert dandelion in bloom

If you are staying on Hwy 177, continue north until the Hwy 62 intersection where you will turn right and head east until you reach the Midland Road. At  Midland Road, turn south onto the well maintained gravel road where you will travel through a large valley between the Palen-McCoy and the Rice Valley Wilderness areas which offer scenic vistas and numerous areas to hike and explore near the road.   Midland Road will eventually connect with Interstate 10 near the town of Blythe which offers most services and including places to eat.

If you are interested in spending an evening camping out, Corn Springs Campground is located nine miles east of Desert Center or forty miles west of Blythe, and eight miles south of Interstate 10 down a graded dirt road.  The herbaceous wildflowers are peaking at this time and the cactus and Ocotillo flowers are starting to bud out. This site offers nine single and one large group camp spots. The campground is located within a canyon of the Chuckwalla Mountains, and is nestled in a stand of more than 60 native California fan palms. This oasis supports abundant wildlife and is an important stopping place for migratory birds so be sure to bring the binoculars and bird book.  Corn Springs was a major occupation site of prehistoric Native American Indian groups and the petroglyphs near the campground are one of the finest examples of rock art in the Colorado Desert. They display a wide variety of elements and cover a long time span, with the earliest petroglyphs dating as far back as 10,000 years. In addition to being a route for Native American Indians moving east and west, Corn Springs was used by the Chemehuevi Indians who moved into California about 1,100 A.D. 

If you are planning to travel in the desert, remember to bring lots of water and some snacks and let someone know your travel plans. Cells phones are intermittent in this area. After Indio, Chiriaco Summit is the last place for services until you return to Interstate 10 near Blythe.

Palm Trees near the entrance to Corn Spring Campground

Brittlebush at Corn Spring

 
A desert lily in bloom amid the sands in the Palen Dunes area...

...and in close-up:

A blister beetle collects pollen from a desert bloom

An ironwood tree casts a distinctive profile against desert, mountains and sky

- D. Westermeyer, Outdoor Recreation Planner, BLM-California Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office