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Joshua Tree National Park California trees 2022 02
The summer rains have given Joshua Tree National Park something it seldom has: a green forest floor. The entire park hasn't sprouted as a result of flash floods, but we're seeing areas where the Joshua Tree forest floor is green, (like this.) In one spot, the ground was green on one side of the road and dry sand on the other. I've learned the rain and lightning can be very localized.
It was 105-107 degrees F (40.5-41.7 Celsius) last time I visited. I tried a dirt road which warned it was not maintained or patrolled and that park visitors had died from heat-related illness. It started out pretty ordinary. After about 5 miles, the sand was so deep that I had to push hard on the throttle to keep moving forward. I recalled a sign that said there were sheer drop offs along one side of the road ahead. At about the six mile mark, I found some ground hard enough to support a six-point turn. I went back out the way I had entered.
The NPS signs seem to be excessively cautious in other parks. The ones here were accurate for my equipment and driving skill. I think a air conditioned Unimog with decent tires would've been a good choice. Better yet, three vehicles with lots of recovery equipment.
When it's this hot, the animals are often invisible.
The Park has been hammered by flash floods that closed some of the main roads. Creek-scale water flows crossed the pavement and washed debris into the roadway.
I have learned that people are like the running creek: if you put an obstacle in its way, it will find a way around it.
— Ruben Dozal, Jr.
Journalism grade image.
Source: 4200x2800 16-bit TIF file.
Please do not copy this image for any purpose.
Joshua Tree National Park California trees 2022 02
The summer rains have given Joshua Tree National Park something it seldom has: a green forest floor. The entire park hasn't sprouted as a result of flash floods, but we're seeing areas where the Joshua Tree forest floor is green, (like this.) In one spot, the ground was green on one side of the road and dry sand on the other. I've learned the rain and lightning can be very localized.
It was 105-107 degrees F (40.5-41.7 Celsius) last time I visited. I tried a dirt road which warned it was not maintained or patrolled and that park visitors had died from heat-related illness. It started out pretty ordinary. After about 5 miles, the sand was so deep that I had to push hard on the throttle to keep moving forward. I recalled a sign that said there were sheer drop offs along one side of the road ahead. At about the six mile mark, I found some ground hard enough to support a six-point turn. I went back out the way I had entered.
The NPS signs seem to be excessively cautious in other parks. The ones here were accurate for my equipment and driving skill. I think a air conditioned Unimog with decent tires would've been a good choice. Better yet, three vehicles with lots of recovery equipment.
When it's this hot, the animals are often invisible.
The Park has been hammered by flash floods that closed some of the main roads. Creek-scale water flows crossed the pavement and washed debris into the roadway.
I have learned that people are like the running creek: if you put an obstacle in its way, it will find a way around it.
— Ruben Dozal, Jr.
Journalism grade image.
Source: 4200x2800 16-bit TIF file.
Please do not copy this image for any purpose.