Desert News
On July 2 at approximately 6:30 p.m., a U.S. Park Ranger received a report of a distressed day hiker in the Tuweep area of Grand Canyon National Park. The hiker, a 57-year-old female, was attempting an eight-mile hike in the remote Tuweep area of the park when she became unconscious. A ranger arrived on scene […]
Heat-related fatality reported in Grand Canyon National Park Read More »
A 65-year-old man from the San Diego, CA area was found dead in his vehicle in Death Valley National Park on the morning of July 3, 2023. Extreme heat appears to have caused his death. At 10:01 am, a National Park Service maintenance worker noticed a vehicle about 30 yards off road from North Highway.
Man found dead in Death Valley from apparent heat illness Read More »
The Man Behind the Name – Curtis Howe Springer In the vast and captivating Mojave Desert of California, there exists a hidden gem with an unusual and enigmatic name – Zzyzx. This extraordinary oasis was built on the edge of Soda Dry Lake, a mere 11 miles south of Baker, CA. Within this isolated enclave, Curtis Howe
California State Parks is excited to announce its partnership with innovative location technology, what3words. A new tool in the State Parks toolkit, what3words provides dispatchers with state-of-the-art technology to assist visitors in the event they become lost, stranded or who otherwise need help from emergency services. Using this revolutionarytechnology, State Parks dispatchers will now be
California State Parks Introduces what3words Tool Read More »
A mare and foal that had been stranded on a Lake Powell beach in Navajo Canyon have been rescued. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area staff had been monitoring and feeding the animals since June 7. Park staff contacted a local veterinarian and together they assessed the horses and their situation. It was concluded that the
Two Feral Horses Stranded on Lake Powell Beach Have been Rescued Read More »
Incident Remains Under Investigation On Friday, June 23 at approximately 6:00 pm, Big Bend National Park’s Communications Center received a call requesting emergency assistance along the Marufo Vega Trail. A father and his two stepsons from Florida were hiking the Marufo Vega Trail in extreme heat. Temperatures at the time were 119 F. The youngest,
Two Visitor Fatalities in Big Bend National Park Read More »
Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia) The prickly pear cactus (Opuntia), a resilient and versatile cactus plant, holds a rich history among Native American cultures in the American Southwest. Revered for its culinary and medicinal properties, this remarkable plant has been integral to their traditions for centuries. From ancient festivals to explorers’ accounts and today’s current uses,
Prickly Pear: A Treasured Fruit of the Southwest, from Ancient Times to Modern Delights Read More »
In the mid-19th century, the United States Army embarked on an unusual venture to introduce camels as transportation for the Army and other military purposes. Initiated by Secretary of War Jefferson Davis, the Camel Corps aimed to address the challenges of desert warfare and supply transport in the expanding southwestern regions of the country. Despite initial promises
The U.S. Army Camel Corps: A Forgotten Experiment in Military Transport Read More »
California’s Pala District is a renowned region for mining gemstones and is considered one of North America’s most important gemstone localities. Located in northern San Diego County, the Pala District has a rich history of gemstone discoveries. It has yielded an impressive array of minerals and remains an active gemstone extraction and exploration area. Tourmaline
Prospecting for Gems: Pala Mining District Read More »
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (NRA) saw multiple fatalities both on land and water this past weekend. Three people were killed in a multiple-car accident, two died by drowning, and one died of an apparent suicide. In addition, 23 people were rescued by park rangers, who also responded to criminal incidents, including assault, theft, and
Lake Mead NRA experiences six fatalities over Father’s Day Weekend Read More »
