Hike to Lost Palms Oasis

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02/23/24

We got up at 6:00 and quickly made our way to the resort cafe. We were not surprised to pay $30 for coffee and ham and cheese croissant sandwiches. Can’t help but recall the $6 cost for the same in northern Spain on the Camino.

We were off and onto I-10 heading east and up onto the hills. After 20 miles we could turn north into National Park lands , and after 40 minutes we were at Cottonwood Campground. Three cars were in the lot, telling us that once again we go here early when it’s cool and before the crowds arrive.

It was about 47 degrees as we started, and with the largely exposed pathway and no trees, we needed the cool early morning to not get hot or dehydrated. Well prepared, we headed southeasterly on the 7 mile hike. The NPS has placed nice little rock steps at places and also little rows of rocks to keep you from deviating from the path,as the path might not look much different from the surrounding sand or washes.

We enjoy these desert landscapes when the sun is low. They don’t seem as oppressive as sun overhead. We also had some protective clouds

We were eager to see how the flora and fauna changes as we transitioned from Mojave desert in the northern and western Juniper Tree NP, to the lower elevation Colorado desert in the southern and eastern region. Joshua trees are now gone, and are replaced by the stunted and smaller versions or maybe they are Mojave Yuccas. There really are not trees, only bushes that can be up to 6 feet tall, or long rangy bushes called Ocotillo. There are many new low growing succulents and spindly spiky plants. The biggest new feature are the wildflowers starting to show. This hike is further south and at a lower elevation allowing earlier emergence of flowers.

A cactus with distinctive yellow needles (don’t touch!) and a bird’s nest.
My handy little park folder tells me that this is the dune primrose.
This is the desert rock pea.

We continued straight ahead, sometimes descending to walk in desert washes, or flanked by rocky cliffs, eventially climbing onto rugged rocky ridges.

Eventually we needed to descend among enormous boulders to the floor of the oasis. We attached out trekking poles to our packs that we could use our hands to boulder.
Eventually we arrived at the floor of the oasis, about 200 feet down from the surrounding rock floor. At this lower level there was water. We saw a tiny pool about 3 feet long.

We stopped for a break of food and water at this midpoint.

A perfect rock for food and water in the palm oasis ( which I had not gotten back to my seat by the 10 seconds)

Then we clambered up the oasis wall to the sign that says go further at your own risk

The most difficult and dangerous climbing over, we could head back along the track we had already covered.

We continued to marvel at the rock formations.
Here is the desert bluebell.
We’re only at the very beginning hint of wildflower season, and can only imagine the species one might see later in the season. Here is the sand verbena.
This spindly spiny plant is the ocotillo. Ocote means pine , and the diminutive ending must account for its spindly nature.

Soon we were closing in on our starting point. We started to see numerous hikers heading out as it got closer to noon. We felt sad that they missed the best part of the day, but also happy that we had it for ourselves. It was a beautiful day. Another peak day of exploration.

6 thoughts on “Hike to Lost Palms Oasis”

  1. Jim

    Your narrative and photos of the desert rock and flora remind me of a similar hike I made in the same place more than 30 years ago….

  2. Paul

    Beautiful photographs as usual. Looks like a lovely hike! Keep up the good work and don’t fret over the cost of coffee and sandwiches. Small price to pay for such gorgeous views. You two are certainly worth it.

  3. Steve A

    Thanks for all the pics and commentary about Joshua tree. I have been there several times and it is amazing. Walking in the night , all the starmore amazement. Easy to get lost on those desert trails.

    1. ebouwens

      You are right — we worked hard not to get loss after a near miss in a dangerous location. Glad you also had a chance to spend time there.

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