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hikerdmb Posts: 423
2/21/2011
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We had planned to backcountry ski in the Sierra this weekend but a huge storm with big winds led us to re-think that and head to the desert instead. We left early Friday morning and headed down to Borrego Springs. The forcast was for high winds but it was quite calm the entire drive out. We were looking for a campsite with a view and cell phone coverage, needed to be in range for a call. We had the camper on the truck and I knew of a couple of spots up past Clark Dry Lake. I had spotted them on my two trips earlier this year up into Rockhouse Canyon area. It is a slow ride up this road with the camper. We arrived at the first spot and parked to look around. From here I was hoping we could get a signal through Alcoholic Pass but no luck. Here is a pic of the site and I think that is Daren's mountain to the right.
There were lots of Desert Dandelions and Sand Verbena up this way.
 
There is also a nice view looking back into Clark Dry Lake.
Since we needed to move we headed for our second choice of campsite. It is on the Truckhaven Trail. We have camped there several times before. It has a great view of the Santa Rosa Mountain, Clark Dry Lake, and the area around Borrego Springs.
We took off for a short hike up toward the moutains and found the hidden dunes that lie to the east of Clark Lake.
Later in the day the wind kicked up and then as night fell the rain began. It rained all night long, sometimes quite heavy. We were thinking it was probably a good idea we came back to this side of Clark Dry Lake and when we looked out in the morning we were REALLY glad we made that choice. The lake bed was pretty much covered with water as you can see in this pic.
We had a nice breakfast and then the motorcylces started coming up the trail. Apparently it was the Dual Sport Desert Dash and we were parked next to their route. There must have been over one hundred of them coming by every few minutes until about 2:00. We decided to go for a walk and look for some flowers. We did not see any huge fields but there were plenty to be found if you look. Here are some of the blooms we saw. I tried my best with the names so let me know if I got any mis-named.
Ocotillo
Naked Stem Sunray
Yellow-head
Desert Marigold
Brown Eyed Primrose
Desert Pincushion
Dune Primrose
Arrow Leaf Balsam Root
It turned into a beautiful afternoon. I love the desert sky after a storm comes through the blue sky with the white clouds.
Toro Peak even tried to make an appearance. It was covered with snow.
We decided to head home late in the afternoon on Saturday since more rain was on the way and the wind had really begun to blow. As we passed by Font's Wash we saw why the lake had filled. Both Font's and Inspiration Washes had flowed across the highway and down to Clark Lake. Caltrans had been out in the morning to clear the road. This is the view down toward the lake.
As we headed up the hill from Borrego Springs we saw a wonderful rainbow over the desert. A good end to the trip.
This was not quite like skiing in the Mighty Sierra but that can wait until the snow pack settles a bit. There are lots of flowers in the desert but you have to look for them, no fields of purple. The rain should help the bloom tremendously.
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1364
2/21/2011
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Looks like a great trip David,
I think the flowers are doing a lot better up in the northern end than down south. It was nice you had the camper during the rainstorm. Does it stay pretty dry?
I agree, the rain should help the flowers immensely and I am planning to head out the second week in March to check things out.
Here is a shot my wife took of a honey bee on a Desert Lavender (?) plant when we were out for the day on Sunday. Weather was great but a bit of wind..
Best,
Bob
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https://www.anzaborrego.net/
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2622
2/22/2011
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Those are great pictures and I like how you took time to name all of the flowers, what do use as a reference or do you just know them all????
Seems this was a popular weekend for many people to get out and enjoy the desert, my son and I also camped out Sat/Sun/Mon, I will post a TR soon.
Thanks for calling peak 6582 "Daren's Mtn"..I like that..!! haha..
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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hikerdmb Posts: 423
2/22/2011
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Daren,
Some of them I know just from years going out there and learning a little bit at a time. I wish I new more.
I have an old book I use, "The Audubon Society Nature Guides - Deserts." It covers lots of plants and animals in the deserts of North America.
I also use this web-site which has a lot of info.
http://tchester.org/bd/species/gallery.html
No problem naming the mountain after you. I know how you have been planning to climb it for a while and I couldn't remember the elevation so I knew anyone who reads this would know what it was.
David
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hikerdmb Posts: 423
2/22/2011
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Bob,
The camper stays nice and dry. We have had it in rain several times and also in snow a few times and never a problem. Snow on the solar panel keeps it from doing its job but that is the only problem. When it is really cold we do get some condensation inside but not too bad. The north end of the park was wet when we got there on Friday and after the rain it was really wet. I was surprised that Font's and Inspiration Washes both flowed across the road and down into Clark Lake. The official storm total over the weekend for Borrego Springs was 1.48". For Agua Caliente, it was 1.73". That should help the southern part a bit. Looks like more rain and snow this coming weekend too. I am hoping to get out this weekend but not sure yet and then the second weekend of March if possible. Those pictographs you found are very nice. I have never seen the hand images before. I would love to know where those are. Did you happen to go across from the Blue Sun Cave to the huge tank or were you not out that far? I bet after this last weekend it is full to the top.
David
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1364
2/22/2011
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Hey David,
Never made it over to the Blue Sun Cave area. Hiked around Piedras Grandes for a while and then decided to head over to the Lazy Lizard for a beer.
I can send you the location of the hand pictograph cave. It is pretty cool.
I am hoping to make it back out the second or third week in March also.
I think that will be a god time for flowers in the southern areas like you said.
Bob
hikerdmb wrote:
Bob,
The camper stays nice and dry. We have had it in rain several times and also in snow a few times and never a problem. Snow on the solar panel keeps it from doing its job but that is the only problem. When it is really cold we do get some condensation inside but not too bad. The north end of the park was wet when we got there on Friday and after the rain it was really wet. I was surprised that Font's and Inspiration Washes both flowed across the road and down into Clark Lake. The official storm total over the weekend for Borrego Springs was 1.48". For Agua Caliente, it was 1.73". That should help the southern part a bit. Looks like more rain and snow this coming weekend too. I am hoping to get out this weekend but not sure yet and then the second weekend of March if possible. Those pictographs you found are very nice. I have never seen the hand images before. I would love to know where those are. Did you happen to go across from the Blue Sun Cave to the huge tank or were you not out that far? I bet after this last weekend it is full to the top.
David
<em>edited by surfponto on 2/22/2011</em>
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https://www.anzaborrego.net/
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2622
2/22/2011
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I am wondering if we should just make it a group party for the 19th and hike peak 6582 once and for all....
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1364
2/22/2011
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Will have my sister in tow so if there are flowers involved she will probably be game :-)
dsefcik wrote:
I am wondering if we should just make it a group party for the 19th and hike peak 6582 once and for all....
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https://www.anzaborrego.net/
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