It may seem unbelievable, but even in deserts, amazing miracles sometimes occur. Once a year, the vast dried-out deserts of the American Anza-Borrego National Park are covered in millions of beautiful flowers. People from all over the world come to witness this remarkable event.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is located in the Colorado Desert in southern California. The park’s name comes from the Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza and the word ‘borrego’ (Spanish for bighorn sheep). Covering 240,000 hectares, the park is the largest in the state and the second-largest in the continental United States. It spans across eastern San Diego County and extends into Imperial and Riverside counties.
In 1974, Anza-Borrego Park was designated a national natural landmark. In 1985, it was included in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. Two hiking trails pass through the park: the Pacific Crest Trail and the Juan Bautista de Anza Historic Trail. AdmiGram.com shares the wonders of this amazing place.
The most beautiful desert in the world — Anza-Borrego
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Steep canyons, dead salt flats, sparse fauna struggling to survive in these harsh conditions — only this spectacle can take the breath of a true traveler. However, if you happen to visit here from February to April, you can witness with your own eyes the real miracle that happens in the lifeless desert once a year.
The American continent continues to amaze the inhabitants of the planet with astonishing natural wonders. There’s no shortage of attractions in the USA: picturesque canyons and national parks, towering mountains and whimsical rock formations, roaring waterfalls and tumultuous rivers. But such an extraordinary blooming desert can’t be found anywhere else in the world.
Here’s what the Anza-Borrego Desert looks like before blooming:
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And this is how it is during its bloom:
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In the Anza-Borrego National Park, covering an area of over 2,400 square kilometers, most of the territory is barren desert. However, after the winter rains, the dry land comes to life, covered with bright flowers and lush grass.
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The intensity of the desert bloom depends on the abundance of winter rains. Due to scarce or late rains, the flowering can be very sparse, and in some places, flowers may not appear at all.
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The tourist service center is located in Borrego Springs, the only significant town in the park. In spring, it’s not as hot in the desert (only about 32°C or 90°F), but since the climate is very dry and windy, such temperature is tolerable.
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The desert territory is divided into three parts: the mountainous region (upper part), the rocky foothills (middle part), and the sandy valley (lower part).
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At the bottom, verbena and fragrant lilies bloom, along with evening primrose and other flowers. In the foothills and the lower part of the mountains, you can find ocotillo, flowering cacti, and cholla. Agave and yucca grow high in the mountains.
You can learn more about the flora of Anza-Borrego on the park’s official website.
image on top: geqfilmm via Instagram
