The Mojave is one of five major desert regions of North America and is characterized by mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. This climate pattern favors annual wildflowers, nearly one third of which occur nowhere else in the world. The real signature plant of the Mojave is the Joshua tree, a relative of the Yucca that can form extensive “forests” on gentle, rocky slopes. Although Utah is largely a desert state, only a thin wedge of the Mojave occurs in the state, being limited to western Washington County from the southwest corner of Zion National Park to the Beaver Dam Mountains. April is the best month to explore the wildflowers of the Mojave, especially in years after good winter rainfall. Join us as we encounter many of these beautiful and ephemeral annual wildflowers (as well as showy cacti and perennials) in the St. George area. Bring your camera so you can capture the low desert in all its spring glory.
FEE: $65
MINIMUM ENROLLMENT: 3 by 12 noon on Tuesday, April 6, 2021
INSTRUCTOR: Matt Ogburn
AGES: 15 years and up
MEETS: 9 am at the St. George BLM office, 345 E. Riverside Dr., and continues until late afternoon
ACTIVITY LEVEL EASY: Mostly flat walking of up to 4 miles. Combined short walks or one continuous hike.