Yesterday morning, Paulette and I visited the nearby Thousand Palms Oasis in the Coachella Valley Preserve. It is located on the San Andreas Fault about 15 miles east of where we are staying in Desert Hot Springs. The closely grouped Fan Palms, with the huge trunks, are pretty spectacular sights. According to the literature in the Visitors Centre, the Desert Fan Palm is the only palm native to the western United States.
A group of Desert Fan Palms at the edge of the Thousand Palms Oasis
Walking from the hot sun in the parking lot into the cool cover of the Thousand Palms Oasis is like entering a “grotto”! Paulette was glad she had worn a light jacket as it was noticeably cooler amidst the giant fan palms. First, we took the path named San Andreas Fault and were able to walk right up to the point where we were allegedly standing on top of it. The earth was rock solid – not even an itty bitty wobble!!
I’m not too sure what Paulette’s up to here other than “hamming it up”
The San Andreas Trail wound it’s way back to where we started at the Visitor Center so next, we chose the McCallum Pond Trail. Little did we know that we were in for a one-mile trek in the hot desert just to get to the McCallum Oasis. The path was good though and the desert scenery was fantastic.
This is the path across the desert to the McCallum Oasis
There were signs all along the path describing the different types of plants and flowers. The fine sand we were walking on, was apparently, the result of the grinding forces of the San Andreas Fault – very comforting to find that out in the middle of the desert!
A beautiful rest spot in the McCallum Oasis
Finally, we reached McCallum Pond and it was sort of like entering an Oasis often pictured in the movies. It was beautiful, quiet, lush green and the pond was surrounded by the same imposing Fan Palms as at the Thousand Palms Oasis.
This was a true Oasis – just like in the movies
There were benches along the side of the pond, so we took the opportunity to rest before heading back on the one mile hike to Thousand Palms. Of course, we didn’t bother to bring any water with us as we didn’t think we’d be walking in the desert at all.
The towering Desert Fan Palms surrounding McCallum Pond
After a short rest, we headed out of the cool Oasis and pond into the desert sun for the 1 mile hike back. Along the way, we met several other visitors, of all ages, walking the trails and enjoying the great weather and the desert scenery.
Paulette standing at the end of one of the wooden bridges in the Oasis
After we got back to Thousand Palms, we browsed around in the little Visitor’s Centre to find out more about the Coachella Valley Preserve. It began with the purchase of 1,920 acres of the proposed site by the California Nature Conservancy. With the support of several U.S. Government agencies, the reserve expanded to its present 17,000 acres, protecting three separate desert dune fields and six palm forests (over 1,500 palms). Amazingly, entrance to the Preserve and all the trails is absolutely free.
Now, if and earthquake had struck, I’d have been in big trouble
Altogether, we spent about 90 minutes exploring the trails and that was easily enough time to do it comfortably. We headed back to our RV Park just after 12:30 so we could “free” Molly and Rylie from the confines of the RV. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed in the Preserve, so the muttzo’s had to stay at home and sleep for a few hours.
We learned a bit about desert plants, vegetation and flowers on this hike
We just spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing in the sun and taking it easy. All in all, it was a pretty good day – lots of exercise and a look at some landscapes we never get to see back home.
Have a great Tuesday, and thanks again for visiting!
0 comments:
Post a Comment