and the Siler Pincushion Cactus. The poppy is unique to Washington County and requires a specific type of soil (one that contain gypsum) to survive. With the ever growing population in/around St George as well as growing off road recreational use, nearly 50% of its habitat has been developed. (Sad, people get so excited about losing land to oil/gas development but then turn a blind eye to urban sprawl, off-road usage, solar energy land-use, etc.)
In addition to those 2 plants, the preserve also helps protect other at-risk species like the zebra-tailed lizard and the Loggerhead Shrike and biologic soil.
This will be my first visit to the preserve as I just found out about it due to a posting by the Nature Conservancy announcing the upcoming April bloom of the Bear Claw Poppy. I know I'm here before the bloom but I'm here so I might as well visit -- I may just see the plant - it should be at least a little green plant by now.
Currently the area is pretty undeveloped but the highway exits, major roads and even a subdivision is advertising on the southern boundary of the preserve signalling major development in the future. For now though, there's just a parking lot with a sign advertising the White Dome Preserve.
When I arrive, there is actually a family here resting on a bench where the trail map is located. (Very glad to see someone.)
There are 5 miles of trails here - the outer loop which I plan to take traverses portions of 4 trails and travels over 4 miles around the preserve.
It's very clear when I enter the fenced in preserve that before this land was purchased, it was used for off-roading -- many tire tracks and paths over the hills.
With all the potential trails thru the preserve, kudos to the Conservancy for an awesome job of marking the "real" trail (and also marking paths that are closed).
As I start, it's still cloudy with no major wind still.
I start on the White Dome Trail, travelling on it until it turns into the Gypsum Trail, then comes the Highline Trail and finally finishing with the Lowland Trail - a bit over 4 miles.
The biologic soil crust (basically living soil) is all over the preserve.
I don't think I was in a single area in which there wasn't at least a patch of it.
Along my hike, I find 2 plants in bloom - one I think is just a weed from all the disturbance
and the other a real desert plant.
I also find one plant that is quite abundant -- not the poppy.
And I actually find the poppy plant (at least it looks like it)!!
I'm not hearing any birds (but I am hearing lots of gun shots from over in AZ -- I saw all the cars when I exited the highway).
Lots of good views as I travel farther down the White Dome Trail (heading east).
(And a not so exciting view of that subdivision that is building at the southern edge of the preserve.)
By the time I complete the 1.35 miles there are blue skies coming and the windy is now blowing really hard.
The trail turns south/southwest along the Gysum Trail as the trail works it's way towards the big hills of the preserve.
By the time I reach those hills (and the Highline Trail) it's blowing really hard. This is definitely the hardest part of the trail is now up-n-down as I traverse through the hills - definitely a different landscape now too; this is the prettiest area.
When I exit on the other side, I see civilization in what looks like a big manufacturing plant and the trail signs now indicate trail head - must be getting close.
I return to the trail head - lovely walk (again I'm sure it's prettier when there are blooms). And again thanks to the numerous trail markers, definitely kept me from getting nervous especially on the Highline portion of the trail.
Great day!
