Clark's Pass- The Hike Back

So last week I took you on a hike to "Hidden Dune" in the Clark's Pass area north of Joshua Tree National Park (since the Park is closed). We came across a 100-year-old whiskey bottle and other interesting finds. Today, we need to make our way back to the car. I'm hoping to follow the wash back for a bit, then detour into a smaller wash west, then up and over a dune area. It's in the low '80s on this particular day, and my pack is heavy because I'm carrying my big telephoto lens and extra water. Fingers crossed!

I'm not sure you can call Hidden Dune a true sand dune, but the sandy soil really stands out compared to the rocks that surround it. I can also tell you it's a pain in the butt to climb! Steeper than I anticipated, and climbing in soft sand it tough.

One thing I had been hoping for on this hike was to come across some desert flower blooms. There are a number of desert plants that prefer, or require, sandy soil, and their blooms can be fantastic in a good year. The elusive Desert Lily is one of those plants. But so far, the blooms had been mediocre at best. So I was surprised and pleased to see some purple color up on Hidden Dune as I started my climb.

 I think this is called Desert Lupine, and it created a purple strip of color that could be seen from a distance. Very pretty! I also spotted a couple Desert Lily plants, but they weren't blooming yet. 

From here, we continue down the wash, keeping an eye out for the little side wash that will take us west up to the dunes. It doesn't take me long to find it, but the hike up is much steeper than anticipated. Another example of how things turn out to be much different than how they look at home on satellite view!

I decide to take the direct approach straight up the dunes. That turns out to be a mistake. The sand is extremely soft. It seems like for ever foot in altitude I gain, I slide back in the sand two feet! I get about half way up the dunes and have to stop, exhausted, for a rest. But a great time to take some dune photos and try to capture the interesting patterns.

The dunes are absolutely pristine! No human footprints. Just natures artwork.

Nature's artwork in the sand includes some little critter prints mixed in with lines caused by wind blowing long, thin leaves across the sand.

Hmmm... snake track, perhaps??

As we hike south, we come to the end of the dune area. The car is at the base of those mountains in the distance, left of center. We will follow a gently sloping bajada back down to the wash.

This is the view over my right shoulder. It gives you a sense of the downward slope we are following. The sun is low on the horizon and the shadows are getting long. My absolute favorite time of day!

Lost in thought and the natural beauty of my surroundings, something on my periphery catches my attention. The elusive Desert Lily! Two beautiful blooms, and I can only imagine what it will look like in full bloom.

As the sun sets, the view west along Highway 62 is beautiful. You may have to enlarge the photo, but you can see the highway heading off in the afternoon haze even in the upper part of the shot.

Hoping this post finds you safe and healthy.

Linking with Skywatch Friday.

Thanks for hiking with me!!