Starting location: Cottonwood Campground, Joshua Tree National Park – 55 degrees
Ending location: Salton Sea State Park, Mecca CA
Miles: 70 miles
Major Stops: Indio for chores
Weather: Sunny, High 75, low in the mid 50’s.
Leaving Joshua Tree, we headed to the town of Indio to get some dog food, groceries, gas and propane before heading to the Salton Sea State Park. I’ve been out of civilization so long, that just driving around the area was a bit hair-rising for me, but we did manage to get everything we needed; and especially the Ben and Jerry’s Americone dream and a new nylar bone for Dottie. To be honest, I have enjoyed being out of the fray of the big city.
Salton Sea
The Salton Sea is a large body of water that was re-created when the Colorado River breached and overran it’s canals during an extreme flooding event in the spring of 1905. The entire Colorado River flowed into the Salton Trough until those canals were repaired in 1907 (18 months). This created one of the largest inland seas (45 miles long and 20 miles wide) in the world that sits 227 feet BELOW sea level.
Unfortunately, according to the signs at the park, there are only three small water inflows coming into the sea and no outflows out the sea. The inflows do not replenish the evaporation, so it is getting saltier and more polluted over time from agricultural run-off. The California State Park has stopped letting dogs and kids swim on the beach due to algae that causes sickness; and the only fish left to catch are Tilapia.
Bird impacts of Salton Sea Decline
Another very important aspect of this sea is that it is critically important to the migrating birds. California has lost over 90% of it’s wetlands over the years, making the Salton Sea an ever critical component of the Pacific Flyway migration. In 2018 National Geographic wrote that over 1/3 of ALL white pelicans use the Salton Sea and 100% of California Grebes use it. California is trying to find ways to help fix the decline, but with the worst drought in 1200 years, it seems a far leap they will find water to add to the mix. As a birder, this makes me very sad..
Back to Arizona
Starting location: Salton Sea State Park, Mecca, CA
Ending location: River Island State Park, Parker, AZ (3 nights)
Miles: 150 miles
Major Stops: Shoe Tree
Weather: Sunny, Highs mid to upper 80’s, lows in the mid 50’s.
Leaving the Salton Sea the following day, we headed back across the desert to the Parker area. I won’t bore you with anymore desert pictures, but here is one I captured on my way back to Parker.
River Island State Park
Heading north out of Parker, we came to the area just below the Parker Dam which creates Lake Havasu further to the north. We spent three nights at the River Island State Park and really enjoyed it…probably because there was water involved!
Lamb Springs Trail
In hunt for cell service, Dottie and I decided to take a hike up a mountain the next day. We did not find any cell service, but had a lovely 3 mile hike.
Dog Park
This is the first state park we have ever been in that had a bonafide dog park! Dottie was in heaven and I could not get her to play frisbee until the second time we went to the park as she had not seen real grass for a very long time…and especially grass with other dog smells! I don’t have a picture, but I did catch this bird on the edge of it.
Wedge Hill Hike
The Colorado River is the most beautiful blue. The pictures only partially capture it. I also met some new friends here at the Dog Park and I’m looking forward to getting to know them more.
Just checking in on your journey, but read this one a couple of weeks ago, hope all is well! Love being able to follow along! Ready to get the camper out!
Thanks, Deb! I’ve had a friend out to visit and had very dicey cell coverage the past few weeks. I’m planning to start to catch back up on the blog.
Hope you get your camper out soon and enjoy the beautiful countryside!
I dont always remember to check your blog everyday, but when I do I enjoy your travels. You go girl!
Hi. Karen! The Colorado river is very pretty! What a great spot! I love hearing a bit of the history of your stops 😀 Safe travels!!