Big Bear, CA
I quiet mountain community full of back country adventure.
Willow Beach Campground
Willow Beach Campground is a full service campground located near the eastern shore of the Colorado River, in Mohave County Arizona. Willow Beach is a small boat ramp on the Arizona side of the Colorado. The boat ramp allows launches into the river and access to Lake Mohave, downstream and Hoover Damn looms very large up river.
Willow Beach is a wonderful location to participate in all water sports or just sit by the Colorado River and have a picnic. The location offers a great access points and offers some scenic views of Black Canyon gorge. The campground is located slightly above the river and does offer River views.
The campgrounds offers year round enjoyment to the area. The area is known for extreme hot temperatures so be prepared! One trip canoeing below Hoover Damn to Willow Beach we pulled the canoes from the river at 121 F.
Campground Summary
| Name | Willow Beach Campground |
| Location | Colorado River, Mohave County, Arizona |
| Longitude, Latitude | 35.87338834278191, -114.65113899560673 |
| Elevation | 855 |
| Sites | 66, 38 RV / Trailer, 37 Campsites |
| Amenities | BBQ Grills, Campground Host, Campsite Tables, Drinking Water, Electrical Hookup, Fire Pit, Firewood Available, Rentals, Restrooms (Flush Toilets), RV Hookups, Showers, Vending Machines, WiFi |
Willow Beach Campground Map
References
Whitney Portal Campground
Whitney Portal Campground is the campground in the foothills of the High Sierra, and serves as the gateway for many hikers up Mount Whitney in Inyo County, California. The campground sits at high elevation at over 8100 feet above sea level. It is nestled among pine trees and Lone Pine Creek offers a babbling creek, the rushing waters of which the break the sound of the wind through the pine needles.
The campground is a prime camping place, and located at the base of the tallest peak in the contiguous United States, Mount Whitney. Mount Whitney stands at 14,505 feet above sea level and is considered the king of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The campground has 43 sites which allow access to the John Muir Wilderness and its hiking and back packing trails. Each campsite is nestled among the boulders in a mature pine forest.
The campground sees heavy use in the late spring and summer months. The elevation helps break the heat from the valley below. Due to its location and popularity, the campground is known to have bear activity. All precautions should be taken with respect to food and trash and bear locker are provided. In addition to Black Bear, mountain lions, mule deer, pine martin and pika are known to be in the area, so keep your eyes open.
Whitney Portal Campground Summary
| Name | Whitney Portal Campground |
| Location | Lone Pine, Inyo County, California |
| Latitude, Longitude | |
| Sites | 43 |
| Elevation | 8100 ft |
| Amenities | Water, Vault Toilets, Bear Lockers, Picnic table, fire ring, no hook-ups |
Directions
From Highway 395 in Lone Pine, California turn west (at the stoplight) onto Whitney Portal Road. The campground is 12.5 miles from Lone Pine and about 3400 feet in elevation gain.
Whitney Portal Campground Map
References
Tuttle Creek Campground
Tuttle Creek Campground is a small campground located on the eastern Sierras near Lone Pine, in Inyo County, California. The campground is located just below the foothills of the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Amazing sunrises and sunset greet the camper who choses this place to vacation.
Tuttle Creek is located just five miles away from Lone Pine and the Alabama hills are even closer. There is a group camp available and also two horse corrals are available.
Tuttle Creek is a great place to camp when exploring up or down the beautiful 395 highway. It offers a jumping off place to travel into Death Valley or up to Mt. Whitney. The tranquility and scenery may want to stay the full 14 day limit, and yet, the Eastern Sierra light will entice you to leave and further explore.
Campground Summary
| Name | Tuttle Creek Campground |
| Location | Lone Pine, Inyo County, California |
| Latitude, Longitude | 36.5649341,-118.1261991 |
| Number of Sites | 83 |
| Elevation | 4658 ft |
| Amenities | vault toilets, picnic tables, fire rings and lantern holders, seasonal water |
Directions
From Highway 395, drive 3.5 miles west of Lone Pine on Whitney Portal Road, then 1.5 miles south on Horseshow Meadow Road, follow signs to the campground.
Tuttle Creek Campground Map
References
Silver Cholla (Cylindropuntia echinocarpa)
Silver Cholla (Cylindropuntia echinocarpa) is a common species of cactus which is native to the southwestern United States including Nevada, Arizona and California. The Silver cholla is a larger cactus which is known to grow in excess of 6 feet tall.
This species can be found rather easily and quite common in the Mojave Desert, Sonoran Desert and the the Colorado Desert. It is typically found in dry desert washes, Joshua Tree wood lands (as photographed above ) or pinyon-juniper woodland environments.
The body of the cactus is segmented by joints which are typically four to eight inches in length. The joints and body of the cactus are densely covered with spines about 1 inch long with are covered in a papery sheath. The spines are typically yellow in color, which contrast nicely against the green skin of the cactus body. This spiny armor not only protects the cactus, but is also forties the nests of the Cactus Wren and other animals who may seek shelter within this plant.
This cholla typically blooms in spring depending upon conditions. The flowers are green in color however some variants may contain yellow, pink or brown. The lumpy, tan-colored fruit hosts the seeds for germination and is known to have a foul scent.
Fremont’s Phacelia (Phacelia fremontii)
Fremont’s Phacelia (Phacelia fremontii) is a small delicate looking flowering plant commonly commonly found in the southwestern United States including Nevada, Arizona and California. The flower is named for John C. Fremont who was the 5th Governor of the Arizona Territory as well as a soldier, explorer and first Republican Candidate for President of the United States.
The Phacelia is a small annual plant which only grows to a height of 12 inches. The small flowers are funnel or bell shape and typically blue or lavender with a yellow throat and between 7 and 15 mm in size. The throat is typically crossed with purple veins to offer a wonderful contrast against the yellow throat. The deeply lobbed leaves are oblong in shape.
Fremont’s Phacelia is known to grow in the Mojave Desert, Sierra Nevada and the above photograph was taken in Valley of Fire State Park near the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The little plant commonly grows in gravelly or sandy soils and flowers between March and June each spring and may be found at elevations up to 8000 feet.
