The Desert Adventures
Lucerne Valley Car Tour
Get acquainted with the desert through this spectacular drive. In the spring, observe the desert painted by glorius
wildflower displays. Stop
and look at these plants specially designed to withstand heat and lack of water. From
Big Bear Valley, Highway 18 descends quickly down Cushenberry grade, following a winding path to reveal a dramatic
change in vegetation from
Pinyon Pine-Juniper
through
Joshua Tree woodland
to sparse
creosote bush Scrub.
Audience: All
Degree of Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 60 miles round trip, 1-2 hours
Points of Interest:
Mojave Desert; Creosote Bush Scrub vegetation; limestone mining operations; access to the Pacific Crest Trail at Nelson Ridge; Cushenberry Springs
Cushenberry Grade
