Morongo Valley & Black Rock Field Trip reminder: Sat. & Sun, 4-5 May, 2024

If you’re interested in this trip, we suggest you get your motel reservation (or Joshua Tree National Park campsite) as soon as possible. Rooms do fill up this time of year.

Only 5 shopping days remain! If you’re coming, let the leader know so she can expect you. The leaders will be staying Saturday night at the Best Western Motel (Sure Stay Plus) in Yucca Valley (56525 29 Palms Highway, Yucca Valley, California 92284-2863; 760-365-3555) or national Best Western 800-780-2734. The Super 8 is a bit cheaper and not far away.

---

Nearby Yucca Valley has several motels and Joshua Tree National Monument has several campgrounds. Campsites at Mission Creek Preserve, several miles south of Morongo Valley, must be reserved at least a week in advance. (60550 Mission Creek Road, Desert Hot Springs, CA. 760-369-7105)

Joshua Tree National Park Camping
Black Rock Campground: LINK 877-444-6777, www.recreation.gov
— We bird at Black Rock on Sat. afternoon; 16 miles from Morongo Valley Reserve.
Indian Cove Campground: LINK 877-444-6777, www.recreation.gov
— Between Joshua Tree town and 29 Palms; 29 miles from Morongo Valley Reserve.

---

Our long-term go-to restaurant (La Casita) closed and we haven’t yet figured out where to eat dinner Saturday night. Someplace that serves beer (desert birding can be hot work!). Call Jean if you have a recommendation.

---

Map of motels in Yucca Valley, the nearest town to Morongo Valley: [prices are from Google map. They may be wildly inaccurate but also may reflect typical price difference between motels.] America’s Best Value Inn ($94), Bungalows Homestead ($304), Super 8 Wyndham ($84), Sure Stay Plus Best Western ($127). Map also shows motels for Desert Hot Springs (17),  Joshua Tree (4), 29 Palms (9).

---

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve is one of the finest birding spots in southern California. It is best-known as a springtime migrant trap, frequently catching rare eastern migrants, hummers and orioles at the feeders, but also has regular local specialties such as Vermilion Flycatcher,  Brown-crested Flycatcher, Summer Tanager and Yellow-breasted Chat. On a busy day, the trees and bushes are filled with migrating birds, especially warblers. Many local desert species are also seen such as Gambel’s Quail, Costa’s Hummingbird and Verdin. Reserve hours are 8:00 a.m.-sunset.

 Saturday, 3pm – Black Rock Campground near Yucca Valley: For those staying overnight Saturday, we meet at the Campground Visitor Center and bird in and near the campground, looking for Gambel’s Quail, White-winged Dove, Roadrunner, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Pinyon Jay, Verdin, Scott’s Oriole and whatever else is around. If you’re late, just drive around until you spot some birders. The campground is nearly always fully occupied Saturday night. Know how to get there as local signs are not well marked. Allow at least 2.5 hours – better yet, three hours, for the 140-mile trip from Santa Monica.
Google Map to Black Rock Campground

Brief Directions: I-10 or I-10/I-60/I-10 for about 2 hours to Exit 117, Hwy 62 North. [Do NOT go south to Palm Springs on Hwy 111.] North on #62 (Twenty-Nine Palms Hwy) about 30 minutes through small Yucca Valley business area to intersection with Old Woman Springs Rd (#247) to left / Joshua Lane to right, and turn RIGHT (south) onto Joshua Lane. Follow signs about 5 miles to Black Rock Campground (unit of Joshua Tree Nat. Park). Meet at campground HQ. If you’re late, drive around the campground and South Park Rd. (to NW past the ranger buildings – see map closeup) until you find us.

Leader: Jean Garrett (213-522-0062) Please call Jean if you are going. It helps to know whom to expect.

---

 Sunday, 7:30 am – Big Morongo Canyon Preserve: We officially start at 8am in the Preserve’s parking lot. If you arrive early, birding at Covington Park just south of the Preserve is also great. Some neighbors put out feeders and water, especially the corner house across from Covington Park and the house just past that, so a short stroll is a good idea. After the preserve opens, we’ll walk around the large reserve until we’re too hot, tired, thirsty,  hungry or all of the above to continue, then have lunch. Allow a minimum of 2 1/4 hours for the 125-mile trip from Santa Monica. Special birds of the area are Brown-crested Flycatcher, Vermilion Flycatcher and Summer Tanager, plus Yellow-breasted Chat, MacGillivray’s Warbler and most of the local desert birds, plus whatever migrant passerines happen to be arriving or stayed overnight. It can be very birdy, but it’s the luck of the draw and the local winds.
Google Map to Morongo Reserve

Brief Directions: I-10 or I-10/I-60/I-10 for about 2 hours to Exit 117, Hwy 62 North. [Do NOT go south to Palm Springs on Hwy 111.] North on #62 (Twenty-Nine Palms Hwy) about 11.5 miles into Morongo Valley and passing partway through small Morongo Valley town.  Angle right onto Park Ave. Turn left on Vale St., passing Covington Park on your right, then bear right through several turns until you reach Covington Dr., the entrance to the preserve.  If the preserve is not yet open (7:30am), retrace your path back to Covington Park where the birding is great.  [Chuck Almdale]
Leaders:  Jean Garrett (213)-522-0062

Family Guide: Can get quite hot; not for younger children. 1-2 miles of boardwalk, cinder and hard dirt paths. Dress in layers & hat. Bring water. Lunch near the cars.
[Chuck Almdale]