Wee Thump Joshua Tree Wilderness Area - 10/06/2011 Trip Notes

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This page last updated on 06/12/2017

10/06/2011 Trip Notes: Though I enjoy walking this area for the beauty of these wonderful old Joshua Trees against the backdrop of the surrounding mountains, there really isn't a lot to photograph. One interesting thing to note is that these are not trees, but rather a really big Yucca plant. Click here for more info ... Joshua Trees.  One unusual feature of this area, unlike may of the desert plateaus that I have visited, is that this desert plateau has lots of desert grasses, almost making you feel like you are in the grassy plains of the mid-west. I can only assume that this is due to the fact that this area gets a lot of rain; in fact on today’s trip I noticed that everywhere I walked was very soft as a result of heavy rainfalls over the previous couple of days. Though Wee Thump Joshua Tree is a relatively small wilderness area, encompassing only a little over 6,000 acres, it contains thousands of old-growth Joshua trees on a relatively flat plain that slopes gently from west to east at elevations ranging from about 5,000 to 4,100 feet. At one point I came upon a flock of 20-25 birds that took off as soon as they heard me approach, making it impossible to get any pictures. Wildlife in this area are not accustomed to human intervention and usually flee at the slightest sound. If you take the time to pay careful attention during a hike of this area and its many small washes, you will find a variety of interesting and colorful vegetation scattered about the landscape. Below are a few shots of today’s sightings. I need to thank Kathy Pool, one of our hiking group members, for helping me to identify some of these flowers. The one on the top right is [ Fringed Aamaranth ] The one on the middle left is [Rattlesnake Weed] (Remember, clicking on an image will allow you to view it full-size.)                                   02/24/2011 Trip Notes: On this date I traveled with the rock hounds from the Heritage Park Senior Facility to the Wee Thump Joshua Tree Wilderness Area and along what is called the Joshua Tree Highway. Even though I had driven past this spot at least four times in the past eight years, this was the first time I actually took the time to visit and really enjoyed the stop.

Though many people don't realize it the Joshua tree is not actually a tree, but rather a giant yucca plant--Yucca Brevifolia--the short leaved yucca. These yuccas may grow as high as 40 feet and the trunks may reach 4 feet in diameter. In bloom the Joshua tree features clusters of creamy white flowers. It is difficult to determine the age of these plants since they don't have "growth rings" like real trees, but many are believed to surpass 700 to 1000 years in age. Considered ugly by many, these trees come in a wide variety of shapes. The plant was supposedly named by the Mormons who thought it resembled the biblical Joshua welcoming them with upturned arms.

A relatively short distance from the main entrance, shown above, you will find the remains of cattle herding pen. There is also an old windmill that was used to pump water into a tank that drained into a drinking trough for the cattle. It appears that years ago this was a major roundup area for free-range cattle.

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Slideshow Description: The slideshow above contains 49 pictures that were taken inside the Wee Thump Wilderness Area and at various stops along the "Joshua Tree Highway". Click here to return to the Summary Page ... Wee Thump Joshua Tree Wilderness Aarea - Summary Page