Feb 4, 2014 Palm Springs and Pinyon Flat

Now in Palm Springs, it finally feels like we have arrived at our main destination. We arrive at the first backcountry camp area of our trip just at sunset.

 

Earlier today, our first stop was the BLM office to buy maps, then drove to the Santa Rosa, San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center to get oriented to hiking and camping options. We were directed to nearby Pinyon Flat Campground. At 4000 feet, night time temperatures dipped to 29°F with daytime highs in the lower 50’s. However, the sun is bright and warm and the air very dry. This is a transition zone between the basin and high dessert above 7000 feet. We enjoyed hiking among the abundant cacti, agaves, creosote bush and other flora which covers the sandy ground in this area.