Anza Borrego: Native Palm Oases and Carizzo Badlands Overlook
June 14, 2014 3 Comments
The southern region of Anza Borrego Desert State Park contains many treasures. We especially enjoyed hiking on Mountain Palm Springs trail, which leads to several native palm oases. The oases here form where groundwater seeps up to the surface along the Elsinore fault zone. The trail begins up a dry wash leading past cholla and barrel cactus. The landscape’s white granite rock contains mica that sparkles in the sun. The first group of palms encountered along the trail is the Pygmy Grove. The “skirts” of dead fronds on the palms provide shelter to owls, bats, snakes, and many other creatures. In Fall and early winter, animals feast on the palms’ sweet sticky dates.
A little further south is a spectacular vista overlooking the Carizzo Badlands. As you look out at the Coyote Mountains, you are looking at the active San Jacinto earthquake fault zone. These mountains are rich in fossils of mastodons, camels, zebras, and sabertooth tigers from a million years ago. What was really amazing was that no one else was around when we visited – the only sound we could hear was the wind. Not a car, not a plane, only silence. It was magical. More info about the geology and natural history of Anza Borrego is at: http://www.abdnha.org/anza-borrego-desert-geology.htm
Interesting post Pam, and as usual, full of new information. We spent some time in Palm Desert, and saw a couple of these Palm Oases. They were very cool, and I’d never seen anything like them. This looks like an fun park to visit, and I’m sorry we missed it. And great link to the geology of the area. Geologically, this is a very complex part of the world, and it’s great to get a good explanation (and it gives me a chance to brush up on my plate tectonics). ~James
James, That is so kind of you! There is so much to see in this area that it takes several visits to take it all in. I still haven’t written about Joshua Tree Park yet, but that will have to wait, because we are heading to Iceland tomorrow! Geology paradise!
I’m envious of your trip to Iceland Pam. Reykjavik was our first stop on our most recent RTW, and it is indeed a geological paradise. (Tell the Mid-Atlantic Ridge I said hello.) I’m looking forward to your posts. Have a great time. ~James