Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [245]
Wildflower lovers, take note: The Joshua Tree area has traditionally been an excellent place to view nature's springtime bonanza, and the lower elevations of the park are hot spots. In addition to the flowering plants discussed above, the desert is home to sand verbena, desert dandelion, evening primrose, and dozens more varieties, some so tiny that you must crouch down to make out their brightly colored petals—veteran viewers call these "belly flowers."
Fauna. One of the more wonderful aspects of the Joshua Tree desert is the way this seemingly harsh and barren landscape slowly reveals itself to be richly inhabited. From the black-tailed jackrabbits abundant at the Oasis of Mara and throughout the park to bobcats and the occasional cougar prowling around less-traveled areas, the desert teems with life.
Some other frequently spotted residents: the roadrunner, a member of the cuckoo family with long, spindly legs and that telltale gait; the coyote, a fearless scavenger who'll openly trot along the road in search of food (Beware: They'll eat tennis shoes or picnic trash as eagerly as they eat rabbits, but it is illegal to feed them anything); and bighorn sheep, most often seen atop the rocky hills they ascend with sharp cloven hooves. Perhaps the most unusual animal is the desert tortoise, a
slow-moving burrow dweller not often seen by casual visitors. The tortoises, which can live more than 50 years, are a protected threatened species, and you're prohibited from touching or interfering with them in any way. A poignant exception to this is if you encounter a tortoise on the road in danger of being hit—you're permitted to pick it up gently with two hands and, holding it level, carry it off the road, placing it facing in the same direction in which it was traveling.
Avoiding the Crowds. Joshua Tree chief of interpretation Joe Zarki is often consulted for advice on the park's natural flora and fauna. He also offers the following valuable tips for maximizing your enjoyment even during the most crowded months:
Joshua Tree's greatest volume occurs in spring, when temperatures are moderate and wildflowers are blooming. From March to May, the number of monthly visitors ranges from 150,000 up. (The unofficial record is 233,000 in Apr 1995.) Compared to summer, which sees 60,000 to 70,000 people each month, these figures are staggering. October and November are also popular, with numbers around 100,000. If you can, time your visit outside of these crowded periods, and stay away during spring break. If you can't, try to visit during the week to avoid the crush of weekenders from nearby Los Angeles.
Choose to enjoy the more popular activities (such as designated nature trails and easy hiking routes) before 9 or 10am. Most people see the park between 10am and 4pm, so the evening hours can also offer some respite from crowds. Remember that the sun sets after 7pm from May to September. In addition, you'll enjoy cooler temperatures during the morning and evening hours.
Campers eager to stake their claim in the campground of their choice need to be diligent in the spring because all but two of the park's campgrounds are first-come, first-served. (Black Rock Canyon and Indian Cove take reservations.) Generally, it's best to arrive between 9am and noon to snatch an available space. The campsites near popular rock-climbing areas (Hidden Valley, Jumbo Rocks, Indian Cove) fill first. If you're staying over a weekend in peak season, try to claim your site Friday morning, before weekenders arrive.
Just the Facts
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