At the Cottonwood trailhead, preparing to depart. Car is a slightly-dented but quite satisfactory (if you could overlook the aroma of the interior) Toyota Corolla CE (with manual windup windows) from Rent-A-Wreck; it got 41 MPG on this trip! Pack starting weight was 39 pounds, with about 6 pounds of food & drink, 19 pounds of water, and full raingear including umbrella.
Palms at Cottonwood Spring oasis, immediately by the trailhead.
Looking back at Cottonwood Spring oasis and trailhead parking lot.
The ocotillo, Fouquieria splendens, were fully leafed out and some were in bloom.
Close-up of ocotillo stems and leaves.
Though it was too early in the season to expect flowers, I did see a few. Most of them I saw were tiny, like this one.
The cholla, species Opuntia, were vigorous and widespread.
Ocotillo in bloom.
Ocotillo against a rocky backdrop.
In the distance, a view of the Salton Sea and mountains south & west of Palm Springs.
Creosote in the foreground, Salton Sea and mountains beyond.
Pencil cholla was also in evidence.
This trail, 3.6 miles from trailhead to Lost Palms Oasis, was actually quite scenic, with numerous ups and downs, various types of geology, and a variety of plants.
Red barrel cactus, Ferocactus cylindraceus, slightly over-exposed.
A different exposure on the same barrel cactus, which was partially surrounded by some sort of small shrub.
Only saw a few lizards on this trip and all of them were small like this one, seen in lower center of photo; might be three inches long, at most.
A well-signed trail.
Barrel cactus and yuccas on a hillside.
Closeup of Ferocactus cylindraceus, times three.
Cholla thicket. Beware!
Another view of the distant Salton Sea to the southwest.
Jointed and red-stained granite, as seen in numerous locations about J-Tree.
A veritable forest of ocotillo.
Leafy ocotillo and spiny yuccas.
Sign at the edge of Lost Palms Canyon. From here it's a short 0.2 mile steep descent to the palms in the bottom of the canyon.
Palms on the left in an upper branch of the canyon, with the main oasis below.
A cluster of palms across the canyon in a little hanging valley.
