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Articles
Books
 Hiking
in
Anza-Borrego
Desert: Over 100 Half-Day Hikes
By Robin
Halford, owner of The Desert Robin
Illustrations by Paulette Ache; Maps by Jef
Johnson
134 pages, 50
drawings, 20 maps, paperback, $9.95.
Publication date: Nov. 15, 2005
A new publication from
Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association
For a book review by Southwest
Blend Magazine,
click
here.
 ROBIN HALFORD is a fifth generation
Californian who graduated from Colorado State with majors in zoology and
entomology. For several years after college she enjoyed working in
Death Valley in the winter and Yellowstone National Park in the summer.
When she talked
with colleagues about her decision to make a change, a geologist friend
told her about the Anza-Borrego Desert. She consulted Rand McNally and
got a AAA packet of information about this
southern corner of California.
In the summer of
1990 she discovered Borrego Springs and has never left. She is
well-known in Borrego Springs as owner of The Desert Robin Shirts and
Gifts and as an occasional contributor to the “Borrego Sun”. She is a
volunteer parabotanist on the San Diego
County Plant Atlas.
When asked how she
ever managed to find and document over 100 hikes she says she began with
hand-written notes collected in a binder, and she has many friends to
thank for their help and companionship on these half-day explorations.
“None of these hikes is an endurance contest,” she says. “They are
meant for people with a little gear, a little time, but lots of
curiosity and enthusiasm.” Calculating with factors of time and terrain
she estimates walkers will travel at about 2 mph.
These clearly
“guided” hikes are gathered into 19 different areas and are ranked by
difficulty. One is shown exactly where to park and what to expect to
see (though in the desert there is always serendipity!); distances are
given in both miles and kilometers. Jef
Smith used GPS when preparing his maps. With her lovely drawings,
Paulette Ache hints at some surprises one might encounter along the way.
The book is
sponsored by the family of David Cronshaw,
who loved the desert and its many hidden treasures. Robin wrote the
book to honor Art and Jean Morley. Join with all at a publication and
autographing party at the Borrego Desert Nature Center on Saturday,
January 21st from 5 to 7 p.m.
ARTICLE INDEX
BORREGO NATURALLY In ROBIN'S YARD SERIES:
FEEDING ORIOLES AND HUMMINGBIRDS
COACHWHIP
CHUPAROSA
DESERT WILLOW
BORREGO NATURALLY In ROBIN'S YARD
 COACHWHIP
Ascleias albicans is the latin name for the white-stemmed milkweed. This
perennial plant is found in the low hills and canyons of the Colorado
Desert, including the Anza-Borrego Desert. The gray-green stalks
grow three to four feet tall, and look like buggy whips, hence, the common
name of 'coachwhip.'
Several years ago, I was hiking in the Anza-Borrego Desert with a friend
and we stopped to watch a queen butterfly which was laying an egg on a
coachwhip plant. The queen is related to the monarch butterfly,
which also favors plants in the milkweed family. As we watched the
queen, we soon noticed several queen caterpillars with vertical black,
white, and yellow stripes on the same coachwhip.
This desert native is well adapted to the desert environment and Borrego
Springs weather, and usually flowers from March to May. Last year, I
planted several coachwhips in my yard. Although the coachwhip
doesn't need much water, I put each of my plants on an irrigation drip and
now they flower from March to September. A light yellow flower ball
grows at the tip of each stalk, like a buggy whip tassel. Many types
of insects, besides the queen butterfly, are attracted to these flowers.
The coachwhip is a low maintenance plant which does not require pruning or
dead-heading. It does well in full sun and makes a nice addition to
any desert or xeriscape garden. Look for the coachwhip at nurseries
that specialize in desert natives.
 CHUPAROSA
Justicia californica is commonly known as chuparosa. This
shrub is native to the Anza-Borrego Desert and can be found in the sandy
washes and wide rocky canyons at lower altitudes.
The gray-green branches are open and airy, with small leaves
appearing in early spring. Although chuparosa can tolerate full sun,
it is often seen growing beside or through other desert shrubs.
Chuparosa is overlooked most of the year but it is one of the first plants
to bloom in the Anza-Borrego Desert and the bright red tubular flowers are
easy to spot.
Although I have seen flowers on chuparosa plants as early as
November in a natural setting, I usually see the blooms from January
through May. In my yard where the chuparosa is on drip irrigation, I
have seen plants with flowers as early as September. During cold
winters, the plants may freeze back to the ground, but should recover
quickly once the weather warms up.
Chuparosa grows at a moderate pace and is a nice addition to any desert
or xeriscape garden. It will grow 3 - 5 feet high with a 4 -5 feet
spread. Plant it near a small boulder for a natural look. The
shrub doesn't need much water but it will look healthier if it is watered
regularly, especially during the spring growing season and hot summer
months. Chuparosa will also do well if put on a drip system and
watered daily. Another bonus is that the red tubular flowers attract
hummingbirds.
 DESERT WILLOW
Chilopsis linearis is the latin name for the desert willow.
Although the leaves are long and linear, this is not a true willow. It is
usually found in sandy washes of the desert southwest, including the
Anza-Borrego Desert.
This tree does need water and if there is no sign of water running
above ground, you can be sure there is underground water close enough for
the roots of this tree to reach.
This tree is deciduous and drops its leaves in the winter.
Once the weather warms up in spring, the desert willow will quickly leaf
out, with the flowers beginning to bloom soon after. In the
Anza-Borrego Desert, the tubular flowers are usually a white or light pink
color. Trees with rose or lavender flowers can also be found at
nurseries.
Because the desert willow needs water every day, it is best to
irrigate it with a bubbler or soaker hose. This will encourage a
strong, deep root system and keep the tree healthy. Expect the
desert willow to grow 15 - 25 feet tall with equal spread.
I planted several desert willows in my yard and they have been fast
growers. The flowers add color from April through September.
They also attract hummingbirds, which sip nectar from the flowers and hawk
small insects attracted to the blooms. Other desert birds use this
tree for perching and nesting.
The desert willow is a nice addition to a desert garden and can be
used to block exposure to summer sun. |
