Oases of the Coachella Valley Preserve, CA

The Thousand Palms Oasis is a very small part of the Coachella Valley Preserve, a 20,000 acre preserve created primarily to protect the Finge-toed Lizard, desert sand dunes, and Palm oases that contain two rare habitat types: palm woodland and blow-sand fields.

The Thousand Palms Oasis bisects the infamous San Andreas Fault. Although it is difficult to discern the Fault from the ground, aerial photos of the area reveal the Fault line quite clearly, showing with acrid desert on the south side and lusher vegetation of the oases on the north side.

Desert Fan Palms in Thousand Palm Oasis

Palm Oases are sustained primarily by water made available through faulting and fracturing of underlying bedrock material. Blow-sand fields are created when sand, washed out of nearby mountains during summer floods, is deposited forming a broad alluvia fan. Strong winds then pick up the sand and blow it into sand dune formations, which are home to several rare animals.

We made the 2-mile round trip hike from the rustic palm (not log) cabin Visitor Center at the Thousand Palms Oasis across the Fault zone, through a desert wash to the McCallum Oasis, one of the largest groves of Desert Fan Palms in California. Going through the different eco-zones during this short walk was very very interesting, and the scenery was lovely.

Returning to the Thousand Palms Oasis, we relaxed under majestic Desert Fan Palms and ate a simple picnic lunch. Wonderful way to spend the day!

Some more photos:

Edge of Thousand Palm Oasis

Desert Wash looking to McCullum Pond Oasis

McCullum Pond Oasis