February Interlude: Backpacking Mom

The desert was alive today. I mean really alive. It was about as green as you would ever expect to see it, though they wouldn't hold still for a photo, birds were singing their song everywhere, bees were humming along as backup to the lead chirpers, lizards were doing their push ups in the warm sun, the Marah macrocarpa were twining their vines up into the desert willows, their white flowers and spiked "fruits" dangled like Christmas ornaments someone forgot to pack away.

 

And people, this was my fourth winter trip out to the Whitewater Preserve, and the trails were being trod by far more people than were there for any of the previous three interludes. There were snowbirds from Wisconsin, there was Grandpa Jeff, another snowbird from Minneapolis, there were backpackers heading north on the PCT - Tamera said they looked like a Barbie doll (and Ken) backpacker, and when she shared some snacks with them they said she was like a backpacking mom. There were photographers hunting for wildflowers, a hiking group of older folk, a family splashed in the Whitewater River, and plenty of others just day-tripping same as we were.

Old Greyback, highest peak in southern California

barbie doll backpackers

day trippers 

Did you know you can camp for free at the Whitewater Preserve's small tent campground? It's good to know, just check the on-line reservation listings to make sure there is room.