Escapees March-April 2024

skpstops

Coachella Valley Nature Preserve: A Nature and Oasis Hike STOCK PHOTO

Countless Activities Abound at Thousand Palms, California

Chamber of Commerce. 72715 La Canada Way Thousand Palms CA, 92276, 760-343-1988, https://gcvcc.gcvcc.org/list/member/thousand-palms-chamber-of-commerce-1246

stay on the tree to create a “skirt” around the trunk, giving them a look unlike other species of palm trees. They can live up to about 200 years. The preserve has a few artesian ponds in which an endangered species, the desert pup fi sh, live. They are about the size of a minnow and prefer shallow, clear water with aquatic plants, but they can tolerate extremes in salinity, temperature and oxygen availabil ity that most other fi sh cannot, so the desert pup fi sh thrive at the oases. The human side of history in the region goes back only about 600 years, but the area has long been home to many unique and varied wildlife species. About 180 animal species inhabit the preserve, including a large population of resident birds, and migratory birds often use the ponds. Among the animals enjoying the safety of the preserve’s habitat is the Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard—one of very few species that can thrive on the blow-sand desert. Considered threatened, or perhaps endangered, these lizards fi nd the preserve one of the few locations in the Coachella Valley still capable of sustaining them. Their name comes from the elongated scales that resemble fringe on their hind toes. That fringe gives them traction in loose sand. Fringe on their ears protects their ears from blowing sand. When at rest, fringe-toed lizards often “dive” nose fi rst into the

Many people know about Palm Springs and its fame for celebrities, golf, tennis and lolling around a pool. But, only a few miles northeast of Palm Springs lies Thousand Palms, so named for the fact that the infamous, San Andreas Fault has lifted the water table in the area and created many palm oases and ponds. T housand Palms is adjacent to Interstate 10 (which runs through the Coachella Valley) at the Ramon Road, Washington or Bob Hope exits. Of course, you’ll fi nd family-style restaurants, fast food and service stations, but Thousand Palms also has some rather unique sites that are enhancing it as a unique destination. Its Coachella Valley Preserve System contains about 20,000 acres, around 25 miles of hiking trails and a visitors’ center. The preserve harbors several species of increasingly rare animals and plants found only in desert and oasis habitats. The site is administered by the Bureau of Land Management and the Center for Natural Lands Management. California fan palms dominate the scene. These palms are the only palms native to the area. Their dead leaves

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ESCAPEES Magazine March/April 2024