Dispatch: Week of August 10
A variety of updates from Joshua Tree National Park, road closures, and Stuff the Bus returns
Hello from California’s high desert where the monsoon season just won’t quit. We may have a few dry days before the next system moves in later this week and this weekend. Reminder that all the moisture helps draw out snakes, so keep an eye out in yards and when you are out on the trails.
Now, onto this week’s news:
In local news:
Joshua Tree National Park reopened Pinto Basin Road between the South Entrance (Cottonwood) and Turkey Flats Wednesday after they were closed due to flash flooding damage Monday evening.
There is now access to I-10 through the Park.
The Cottonwood Visitor Center and Campground are also temporarily closed while crews assess damage in the area.
Roads in Death Valley National Park and Mojave National Preserve are also still closed following flash flood damage throughout both parks.
In Death Valley, CA-190 will remain closed at least through Aug. 17 from Trona Wildrose Road/Panamint Valley Road to CA-127 in Death Valley Junction, Caltrans told NPR.
All roads in Mojave National Preserve are still closed following flash flooding on Aug. 4. There is currently no ETA on when roads will reopen.
In more National Park news, Joshua Tree officials are considering implementing a permit system for overnight backcountry trips in park boundaries.
The proposal states that permits would be $6 per group for up to 12 people, and can be obtained online or in-person at the Visitors Center.
The proposal is open for public comment until September 30. You can read more or share your comments here.
Joshua Tree National Park is also on track to begin construction on the new West Entrance station in Joshua Tree by late fall of this year.
San Bernardino County has created an email address for residents and providers with questions about monkeypox: monkeypox@dph.sbcounty.gov. Individuals who are interested in the vaccine may complete the Monkeypox Vaccine Interest Form.
To learn more, visit wp.sbcounty.gov/dph/monkeypox or call the Communicable Disease Section at 1 (800) 722-4794.
Morongo Unified School District is holding its annual Stuff the Bus event Saturday, Aug. 13, and Sunday, Aug. 14, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Donations will be accepted at the Yucca Valley Wal-Mart, located at 58501 Twentynine Palms Highway, and the Twentynine Palms Dollar General, located at 72650 Twentynine Palms Highway.
A San Bernardino County ballot initiative has qualified for the November election where voters will decide whether the county will secede from the state of California.
The initiative is unlikely to pass.
In state news:
A small single-engine plane crashed on CA-91 in Corona in Riverside County on Tuesday.
Officials are optimistic the COVID-19 surge driving by the Omicron variant is subsiding across the state.
Monkeypox, however, continues spreading across the state. Riverside County was among the latest counties to declare a state of emergency to open up resources to its response plan.
In other news:
The Interior Department is starting a review of derogatory place names on federal lands as some areas have preemptively opted to change names at the behest of Indigenous groups.
Flying is still a mess. Good luck out there.
An early study found rainwater is no longer safe to drink anywhere on the planet due to the ubiquitous presence of so-called “forever chemicals.”
Inflation did not increase in July, largely due to falling fuel prices nationwide.
Pupdate of the week: It’s been cool enough for walks the last few evenings, but I know it won’t last much longer. If anyone has tips for explaining weather and heat to the dogs, I’m all ears.
Trail tip of the week: Per the above news regarding Joshua Tree’s proposed permit system, it’s not a bad idea to research permit or fee requirements when hitting the trail. The National Park requires a $30 entrance fee, and other areas like San Gorgonio Wilderness require free day-use permits. Pro tip: if you have a National Parks Pass, that counts as an Adventure Pass for any sites that require it.
Show of the week: If you’re keen on a quick limited series with beautiful cinematography from around the world, I recommend Edge of the Earth on HBO. It is only 4 episodes and follows four adventure athletes on big projects like kayaking the entirety of an unexplored river or skiing an unknown line in Alaska. Even if you aren’t into the sports, the landscape shots are enough to keep you entertained for a while.
That’s it for this week! I hope you have a great weekend and get a chance to get outside.
- Megan