Natural History Wanderings

DesertUSA reports for Death Valley

March 4 we went down Titus Canyon. Very little going on yet. In the hill before getting to Leadville, there are tons of Golden Evening Primrose ready to bloom. From Leadville to exit, the last 1/3 of the road has quite a bit of Golden Evening Primrose and Phacelia. The Emigrant Pass Rd to Wildrose has very little happening yet. The place to be is making the loop up Beatty Cutoff Rd down Mud Canyon and back to the cutoff rd. We went around in circles one direction then back the other direction morning hours and late afternoon hours. Really a joy. Getting out walking wast absolutely delightful. Me personally, I have never seen such large Turtleback. Bigger than a basketball.

Wednesday March 3, we have been taking the dirt road about 3 miles south of Ibex Pass on the highway. It goes down to DVNP via Saratoga Springs then you go north on Harry Wade Rd to Ashford Mill. The Desert Gold in the Saratoga Springs area, the Armagosa River crossing, Ashford Mill area, and the Warm Springs access Rd have gone down hill significantly since we went by 2 weeks ago. However……………… there is a MASSIVE bloom of Golden Evening Primrose with lots of buds still to bloom about 2 miles north of Armagosa River crossing. It is many many many acres in size and starting to move up the hillside. I have never seen this size of primrose before. Badwater Rd from MP 24 to Morman Point still has lots of photogenic opportunities for Desert Gold and Phacelia. Furnace Cr to east park entrance is very good. Furnace Cr to Beatty cutoff still pretty good.

See photos at Death Valley Wildflower Report – DesertUSA

See more desert reports and photos at DesertUSA Wildflower Updates