We’re over halfway through the desert with the Mojave (real desert) left ahead. These first few hundred miles have been full of surprises- lots of water, plant and animal life.

California has had a good deal of precipitation this year, making for lighter packs and vibrant landscapes. There are more amazing smelling plants and beautiful wildflowers than I could have dreamed of. 

Two of several wonderful smelling Ceanothus species.

Delphinium for days!

Here’s what I thought all 700 miles of desert would look like…

Joshua tree Yucca brevifolia

Chaparral yucca Hesperoyucca whipplei

California barrel cactus Ferocactus cylindraceus

Beavertail cactus Opuntia basilaris

Silver cholla Cylindropuntia echinocarpa

Strawberry hedgehog cactus Echinocereus engalannii

Kingcup cactus Echinocereus triglochidiatus

Panamint liveforever Dudleya saxosa

Canyon liveforever Dudleya cymosa

Ocotillo Fouqureria splendens

and other Dr. Suess like plants. I love cacti and succulents, but was truly unaware of how diverse the desert would be. This is high desert with elevations ranging from about 3,000-9,000 feet. We’ve experienced relentless sun and exposure followed by snow and conifers. 

There have been some incredible views, but I have been enchanted by the wildflowers. Everyday the flowers change, there are new species mixed in with the old and many yet to be identified.

Colorado four o’clock Mirabilis multiflora

Bush poppy Dendromecon rigida

Flatbud prickly poppy Argemone munita

Fremont’s monkeyflower Mimulus fremontii

Wild canterbury bells Phacelia minor

Fremont’s phacelia Phacelia fremontii

California milkweed Asclepias californica

Bitterroot Lewisia rediviva

Woolly daisy Eriophyllum wallaccei

Winding mariposa lily Calochortus flexuosus

Desert mariposa lily Calochortus kennedyi

Twincrest onion Allium bisceptrum

Pitted onion Allium lacunosum

Chinese houses Collinsia concolor

Sticky monkeyflower Mimulus aurantiacus

Pink sand verberna Abronia umbellatta

Dwarf rockcress Boechera parishii

Desert willow Chilopsis linearis

Goosefoot violet Viola purpurea

Mountain phlox Phlox austromontana

Cold desert phlox Phlox stanburyi

California flannelbush Fremontodendron californicum

Sandblossoms Linanthis parryae

Panamint mountain lupine Lupinus magnifricus

Bajada lupine Lupinus concinnus 

Stinging lupine Lupinus hirsutissimus