Phoenix Camera Club

Around nine people made their way to the Algodones Sand Dunes (called the Imperial Sand Dunes by the Bureau of Land Management) near Yuma for the January field trip. Those prescient enough to attend were treated to a rare show of wildflowers. Pink sand verbena and white dune evening primrose were the dominant species. We shot pictures till sunset in the “preserve” part of the dunes.

Right across the highway on the south side is definitely not a preserve, but instead serves as a playground for thousands of dune buggies and assorted sand critters. Needless to say, no wildflowers were found on that side of the highway!

The only problem we encountered was parking. Several members were reprimanded twice for parking along the highway, a big no-no due to erosion problems. After that was straightened out with the park rangers, we found out we had to pay $25 a vehicle to park where the dune buggies ride, and pay extra for flags to attach to our vehicles. All so that we could walk across the highway into the preserve. Oh well, now we know what to expect next time!

For more information about the Algodones Dunes:

https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/recsites.nsf/0/eeaa74ee282e530c882568a10074cd1f?OpenDocument

http://www.recreation.gov/detail.cfm?ID=4698

http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/swcbd/goldenstate/cdca/algodones.html

http://sandiego.sierraclub.org/conservation/index.asp?content=algodones

http://www.dpcinc.org/theplacenooneknew.htm

http://www.dpcinc.org/EB88-1_thealgodonesdunes1.htm

http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/swcbd/Programs/deserts/algodones/slide1.html

http://www.desertusa.com/sandhills/sandhinfo.html

http://www.off-road.com/press_releases/press_release_82.html