Imperial NWR near Yuma & Painted Desert hike...plus

Arizona is one of the most arid of our 50 states.  Its public lands provide a variety of roads to America's great outdoors full of spectacular desert, mountains and canyon scenery.

February 20th our scenic Hwy. 95 took us by a heard of wild horses grazing on the BLM.  In Arizona, the BLM manages two wild horse herds totaling about 250 head.  They also manage about 4,800 head of wild burros.

We drove thru miles of Yuma Army Proving Grounds.  The presence of the US Army in Yuma dates back to 1850 when Fort Yuma was built on a hill overlooking the crossing of the Colorado River. The YPG is a US Army facility and one of the largest military installations in the world.  The proving ground is used for testing military equipment.  We saw 3 blimps.  At times one would be in the air.

                         
Below are more training areas................................................................and tracks for tanks to practice.


















We drove thru the Sonoran desert landscape to the Imperial WLR. Here we gained info for the area.

 Beavertail cactus to left...








                                     Mountain sheep above.

 Mountain lion to left<<<<<<

Our dirt/rock desert drive>>

 Up/down......


Where did the road go???

The 1.3 mile Painted Desert Trail (hike) in the Imperial NWR near Yuma meandered thru rocky washes and over variegated mesas.  Amazing how critters have adapted to this arid environment.  We passed a creosote bush that few like its taste.  Named for the multicolored mounds the Painted Desert Trail is made up of rocks tinted by minerals.  Iron creates the rusty color, while copper appears green.

 Our path was marked with the white posts at left.








Holes and caves everywhere.  Wonder what lives there?

<<<<<<<<This natural column of rock is called a "hoodoo".  It was created by water eroding from several directions.









The ironwood tree beside J has a twisted grey trunk with spiny branches.





Look at this hill with stairs.......................................With a helping hand from J, we made it to the top.

Yes, we had to go down that steep hill you see below...and we made it without slipping a stone.

This side blotched lizard sure did blend in with the terrain. Scaled covering the lizards help them retain moisture in their bodies.  Here and there are barrel cactus whose fruits can be eaten for hydration.  Lots of hoof tracks and trails made by burros and/or mule deer.  Indentations on the ground can be dusting holes for the burros.

The Palo Verde (below) is Arizona's state tree.  Palo Verde is Spanish for "green pole" or "green stick."

I'm checking out the rocks...seeing what I can find.




Below is a western whiptail lizard.

                                  Not sure if these holes are bees or small bird nests.  ???

                       Here is a beautiful Baja California collared lizard.  He was a posing fool.

Down the wash at left and up the hill to the right we finally returned to our truck and headed off for more adventure.

On our way home we drove to Meers Point that overlooks Meers Lake.  After a few stretches, we headed thru agricultural farmland back to our 5er in Quartzsite, AZ.  There were green fields of alfalfa hay, lettuce, wheat, cotton, carrots, date palms, cauliflower, spinach, melons, and citrus fruits. Agriculture consumes 78% of the Colorado River's water.  Growers have installed miles of underground drains to help leach away harmful minerals.  The "Law of the River" controls the activities and usage of the Colorado River.

Below is an irrigation ditch that carries water for the agricultural fields.

Irrigation watering the field.




Below (left) is another irrigation canal and a field of onions.

 Groves of date palms.  J stopped at a roadside store with us purchasing almost 12 pounds of fresh dates.  We also enjoyed a date shake.  YUM!

Spinach to left and bee hives in fields at right.



Harvested cauliflower and citrus trees (below)with fans at top to run in case of a frost warning.

After a 200 mile plus drive, we arrived back at our 5er in Quartzsite safe and sound.  Did not take us long after dinner to hit the hay as we were tired puppies.  

Until next time...take care...stay safe.  See you by the campfire.