EISPIRATEN

We spent the second of two days camping at Joshua on foot in the Pinto Basin. Here's some of the wildflowers we spotted. First day we spent on the MTB's out through Covington Flats and found not much blooming save for a few Joshuas. The cacti on the south side are budding up and look ready to bloom in the next week or two.

Daturas are popping out on the shoulders of Pinto Basin Road. Easy to find.










Where do these gourds come from? We found several of these in the Pinto Basin.


We guessed this must be a coyote den.


South face of Mt. Pinto. Anyone done the hike from the trailhead along Pinto Basin Road?

cool pics. I havent gottten to go running or hiking in Joshua Tree yet. it looks pretty though

I'll guess "Coyote Gourd"...

http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CUPA

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_ ... ,3385,3388

So cool! I've never seen a coyote den. Looks like a perfect setup for them!

... or it could be a tortoise hole...

We spotted about 6 large burrows in this area with two use trails running through them and what appeared to be coyote droppings scattered about. Most of the burrows looked empty (cobwebs inside tunnel and no tracks) but there were tracks up/down the use trails.

Coyotes searching for Tortoise?

anyhoo... nice photos. thanks for sharing.

Obie,
We hiked Pinto Mountain last month. There is no real trail after the first few hundred yards, but your destination is in clear view. There is a map on the board at Turkey Flats showing two different ways to the summit.
If you go I have two tips...Don't go in summer and in Pinto Basin distances are longer than they look.
Unless it is hot it isn't that difficult of a hike and nicely remote.

Email me if you want more information on the route we used.

asbufra@yahoo.com

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Very nice pics Asbufra!

I think I'll take a hike to Mt.Pinto before too long. Emailed you. Thanks!