Lynn - DesertUSA Staff


    Location:
    San Diego and Indio, CA
    Hobbies Auto tours, Bike Riding, Bird Watching/Wildlife Viewing, Hiking/Walking, Horseback Riding, Museums/Sight-Seeing, Photography, Rock Climbing, Rock Hounding/Treasure Hunting
    Favorite Places Anza Borrego, Joshua Tree and La Quinta.

User Stats

    Loading...
  • Desert, 51
    Desert

  • darkblue73, 35
    darkblue
    73

  • auburngal, 55
    auburnga
    l

  • Hammster, 52
    Hammster

  • Allen, 109
    Allen

  • Dan, 51
    Dan

  • Jim, 43
    Jim

  • kriscanyon, 27
    kriscany
    on

  • ara, 61
    ara

  • Jim-dusa , 49
    Jim-dusa

  • Happy Trails until we meet again!, 56
    Happy
    Trails
    until we
    meet
    again!

    Click here to join DesertUSA's Online Community.

    Leave a Comment | View All Comments

    Thanks Lynn for joining my group! Thank you for all the encouragement you have given me!

    Happy Trails until w...
    January 07, 2009
    12:02 PM PST

    I can imagine. I had a friend from Desert Hot Springs, I could not visit her in the summer but I loved to visit her in January.

    Keep cool!

    auburngal
    July 22, 2008
    11:16 AM PST

    I use a M.U.L.E. with a 3 liter bladder. In fact, I just used it for a 1 hour HOG. Got back a couple of minutes ago. The M.U.L.E. was designed for mountain biking and hiking, but I like it cause it doubles nicely as a 1/2 day pack, has room for the emergency junk I always carry. Some of their smaller packs are probably better for running, but Camelpaks are a little spendy so I make this one do. And it does fine. Had it maybe 5 years, and it's holding up very well. Only had to replace the bladder once. If you use filtered water instead of tap in these things they don't grow that (probably harmless) but unsightly black fungus mung as quickly. Probably smarter to run desert with a partner. I don't usually, but I'm not that smart. Oh. After you figure out which Camelbak you want, check out U.S. Calvary or just goggle camelbak on line. See if they're any cheaper. Ted.

    bsnrng
    July 18, 2008
    08:03 PM PST

    Hey Lynn,

    Thanks for the comment. As for advice, I assume because you "love to run" that you've been running for a while. So, you already know about warming up, proper footwear and hydration. This time of year, that last item is critical to survival, much less fun. I always pre-hydrate with about a liter of water and I wear a 3 liter Camelbak on my HOGs (I drink at least a liter an hour, usually more in the summer). In San Diego when I run on the beach I don't need to carry water. Can't do that in the desert, although I see people out here trying it. Not smart. The other thing you've no doubt noticed is the lack of humidity in Coachella vs. San Diego. Lungs feel "dry" and don't seem as efficient at first. They'll adjust eventually. If you trail run, you really got to watch the damn rocks. A sprained or broken ankle can easily become a life threatening incident when you're on an empty (like it always is during the summer) trail in the middle of nowhere. I learned how to shoulder roll when falling in my old martial arts training. That skill has saved me a couple of broken wrists (most of us try to catch ourselves from falling by throwing out our hands) and one or two head injuries. If you like to run DOWN steep rocky trails like me, the best advice Ive got is DON'T BE TENTATIVE cause that always when you fall. The main thing for me during summer runs is limited direct sunlight. Over the years I've become convinced that heat stress is cumulative, and for me running midday is mostly out till September (sub-100 degrees). I can't get up in morning so now I start these HOGs about 1-1 1/2 hours before sunset (that's when I get shadows on the trail from nearby hills). Oh, and don't smoke more than two cigarettes immediately before running or hogging. Cuts your distance down. Be safe and have fun out there.
    Ted.

    bsnrng
    July 14, 2008
    06:26 PM PST
    First Previous 1 2 Next Last

    Wildflower Prediction For January 2009

    Monday, December 29, 2008, 02:09 PM PST [General]

    The recent heavy rains in the California desert have given us hope that the upcoming wildflower season will be better than in recent years. On December 15th and 17th of 2008, the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Joshua Tree National Park received heavy rain.  In the higher elevations at Joshua Tree NP it even snowed; the desert there has become a winter wonderland in some areas.  Historical rainfall records in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Joshua Tree National Park and Death Valley National Park show that 2008 had more rainfall than in previous years.  This data is an early indicator that Spring 2009 may provide a good wildflower showing.

    The next two months will show us if a full bloom in the desert areas will really arrive.  Rainfall that arrives too early or too late doesn’t  help the wildflower season.  After heavy, seasonal rains, most annual desert plants germinate very quickly.  Temperatures also play a critical part, and timing is everything. Frost can decimate delicate new plants.

    A phenomenal bloom in terms of the abundance and variety of flowers will depend on more rain, and not too many days of frost.

    Exceptional wildflower displays in the desert regions are few and far between. Really good displays occur only once every 10 to 20 years.  It’s challenging to speculate on which seasons will be better than others.  The number of blooms and variety of colors differ from year to year even at the same location.  The attached images of Henderson Canyon Rd. in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park show the extreme differences between a year with a lot of rain and a year with very little of it. 

    Click here to view a short video of the 2008 Wildlfower Season in Southern California created by DesertUSA.com. 

    Rainfall occuring between the months of September and March affects the outcome of the desert wildflower season in the following spring.    The historical rainfall data for the last few years at three parks is included below.  This data indicates that the upcoming 2009 wildflower season will be better than the last two years, based on the increased precipitation in each park. 

    Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    2008 Yearly Rainfall

    As of Dec. 19th 2008 more rain expected next week.

    5.91 inches 

    2007 Yearly Rainfall 
    1.42  inches

    2006 Yearly Rainfall 
    0.18 inches

    Joshua Tree National Park

    2008 Yearly Rainfall as of Dec. 19th 08

    5.63 inches

    2007 Yearly Rainfall
    2.47 inches

    2006 Yearly Rainfall
    0.54 inches

    Death Valley National Park 

    2008 Yearly Rainfall
    3.35 inches 

    2007 Yearly Rainfall
    0.0 inches

    Phoenix, Arizona

    2008 Yearly Rainfall as of Dec. 21st ’08

    6.26 inches

     

    Click here to view a short video of the 2008 Wildlfower Season in Southern California created by DesertUSA.com. 

      

     

    0 (0 Ratings)

    Happy Holidays.

    Tuesday, December 23, 2008, 02:37 PM PST [General]

    Hi Everyone, 

     

    I wanted to wish everyone Happy Holidays.  If you are out in the desert take a lot of photos and share them with us here on the DesertUSA Community.  Our main site had some great submission by reader's of the desert with snow scenes.  The desert can be a winter wonderland.  

    I'll post a few of my shots from Indio, CA in my gallery.  Here is one to start with . . . 

     

    Happy Holidays!
    Lynn - Desertusa.com Staff 

    0 (0 Ratings)