Snowmelt from Mt. San Gorgonio
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Finding streams in the desert is just like discovering a rare diamond. The Whitewater River flows down from Mount San Gorgonio (an 11,503 foot tall peak in Southern California) and runs through Whitewater Canyon down towards the city of Palm Springs. It runs year-round but is most impressive to visit during the spring months as the snowmelt from the mountain makes it wider.
The Whitewater River rushes over rocks and boulders
as it makes its way through Whitewater Canyon.
Another look at the same scene in a vertical format. The river varies from narrow to wide as it flows through the canyon.
View of the river where it widens quite a bit. While technically
it should probably be called the "Whitewater Stream",
it is nevertheless a lot of water for a desert climate.
| The San Gorgonio wilderness area encompasses many thousands of acres. And just a short distance away is Mount San Jacinto (a 10,800 foot high peak) and its wilderness area. Both mountain peaks (San Gorgonio and San Jacinto) can be seen from Interstate 10 or Highway 62. Whitewater Canyon and the Whitewater Preserve is located northwest of Palm Springs and features a wide variety of scenic beauty. |
The Whitewater River rushes around old tree logs in this view.
Another look at this section of the river. The rocks and fallen trees create many interesting photo opportunities.
The streams in the desert canyon (such as the Whitewater River) feed the abundant plant and tree life which grows along the waters edge. You can find trees such as sycamore, cottonwood, ash and alder mixed in with willow and manzanita. Further up along the lower canyon walls are California sagebrush and chaparral. And in the more barren stretches of the desert canyon are cholla, barrel and beavertail cactus. This is by no means an exhaustive list either. In the springtime, there are desert flowers such as California poppy and desert bluebells along with wild mustard.
Lots of lush vegetation grows alongside these streams in the desert.
Wild mustard flowers grow at the base of this rugged cliff in Whitewater Canyon. This photo was taken near the ranger station.
Many of the hills of Whitewater Canyon have quite a bit of
color in them which gives the area a "painted desert" look.
| There are many hiking trails to explore throughout the San Gorgonio wilderness. The Canyon View Loop Trail is accessed at the Whitewater Ranger Station and is 3.5 miles long. It meets up with the much longer Pacific Crest Trail which heads on up into the higher elevations on Mount San Gorgonio. The Whitewater Preserve itself is 2,826 acres in size but it is surrounded by the San Gorgonio wilderness which is public land (operated by the Bureau of Land Management). Parking and access to this area is free. |
This is the start of the Canyon View Loop Trail.
This small pond is also located at the beginning of the Canyon View
Loop Trail. The building beyond is part of the ranger station.
Another view of the fast moving Whitewater River.
| A large number of wild animals drink from these streams in the desert. While hiking the many trails, you might see bighorn sheep along the rugged canyon ridges. There are also deer, bear and mountain lions in the canyon area. And a wide variety of snakes can be found here as well. These include several varieties of rattlesnakes, the rosy boa, and the California kingsnake. Many types of lizards are seen along the riverbank and throughout the canyon including the alligator lizard, the horned lizard, and the desert iguana. As you enter the preserve you will see a roadside sign warning visitors to be aware of their surroundings when hiking on the trails. The canyon has relatively few visitors, even on weekends, and you can easily get the feeling of being alone in the wilderness while walking one of the canyon trails. And that is a very rare feeling to have in Southern California! |
The river branches off in two or three different directions
at various times as it makes its way through the canyon
producing several streams in the desert.
This is the Whitewater Ranger Station. The pond in the foreground is stocked with trout.
There are lots of places to hike throughout the canyon.
| You can take some beautiful landscape photos at Whitewater Canyon. During winter months, the surrounding mountain peaks are covered with snow. Springtime brings beautiful desert wildflowers. But it can get quite hot during the summer months. It is after all just a short distance from Palm Springs. However, it is worth a visit at any time of year. I just recently discovered it and plan to return many times. |
There are a lot of places where you can get out of the sun and sit under a shade tree. Or cool off by wading into the river.
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This photo shows the Whitewater River narrowing down as it heads out of the canyon toward Palm Springs. This "streams in the desert" landscape forms a stark contrast to the barren and rugged hills.
One more look at the hills which lead in to Whitewater Canyon.
There are several tall mountain peaks in Southern California which feature lots of scenic beauty. Some are covered with pine forests. Most receive at least some snow during the winter months. Some, such as Mount San Gorgonio and Mount San Jacinto, receive quite a bit of the white stuff. Click here to go from streams in the desert to my snow-capped mountains page.
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