Cleghorn Lakes Revisited

If you are thinking lakes, fishing, and water play, you are way off. Waaaay off! I think the people that named this area Cleghorn Lakes Wilderness Area were perhaps playing a cruel joke. No lakes here! Not even a pond. But lots of wide open desert.

Turn the clock back to April of this year. The pandemic is in full bloom. Joshua Tree National Park is closed, and I'm desperate for a place to hike. It had been over 2 years since my last visit to Cleghorn Lakes (see here for part 1 and here for part 2). My Facebook friend Mitch and I (who I had never hiked with before... actually, never even met before) decided to meet at the Palms Restaurant in Wonder Valley, then head out to Cleghorn Lakes for a hike. I was excited to hike with him because he's an excellent photographer and I figured I could learn a few things plus enjoy a great desert hike.

The day turns out to be a warm one (well into the 80's) and we're getting started in the heat of the day, so not ideal. I've got two hike options planed out: the sensible hike that's about 4 miles round trip that passes though interesting rock formations, and the crazy hike that's about 4.5 miles with lots of elevation change that goes through a wash than might not even be passable. That hike takes us to a couple dry lakes that I think might have been filled with water thousands or millions of years ago (the infamous Cleghorn Lakes!). Without batting an eye, Mitch says "let's go check out the dry lakes!"

Wait for me, Mitch!

Turns out Mitch is not only a professional-level photographer but a very serious and experienced hiker who's in training for a 7-day marathon across the Eastern Sierras. It soon becomes obvious to me that Mitch won't have any problems with this hike, and I'm the weak link in the chain!

See that V up ahead? We're following this wash, and it will narrow and get filled with boulders and pass between the two sides of the V. Somewhere on the other side should be the Cleghorn Lakes (dry). One of the highlights on this hike are the little splashes of color from wildflowers in bloom, and I know we are both hoping the the dry lake area might be full of blooms. Then again, may be not. Let's go see...

Orange desert mallow blooms as we head up the wash. A good sign!

Follow the yellow brick road... of flowers in the wash!

California desert tortoise shell #1

We've made it over the top of the "pass" and now heading down the other side. Lots of flowers. That green area that looks like a valley beyond the white rocks is actually one of the two Cleghorn (dry) Lakes.

Just a short distance before reaching the dry lake, the flowers really put on a show (photo of me by Mitch).

Tortoise shell #2

Chia Pet? Anyone remember those old commercials?? Ch Ch Ch Chia!

When we finally reached Cleghorn (dry) Lake, it was green but almost no flowers. Even so, it felt a little surreal to be exploring this area, knowing that very few people are crazy enough to make this trek. It is visited by humans only very rarely.

I did manage to find a flower or two, but my imagination was going into overdrive thinking about what this place would look (and smell) like full of wildflowers. Or even better, after a large thunderstorm when it is full of water!

On the hike back we passed this weird rock formation. Can't decide if it's scary or comical looking, with that little tuft on it's head!

Oh, and did I mention there are some arches in this area? You know I love arches. I've already exceeded my self-imposed photo limit for this post, so come back and check out my next post if you like arches too!

Thanks for stopping by!

Linking with Skywatch Friday.

Stay safe and stay healthy.