The Mastodon Trail is a loop trail, which also includes a visit to a former gold mine, Mastodon Peak, and also happened to include a good number of blooming plants and lizards. It was a wonderful and visually spectacular hike. Have a look:
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| The Force is Strong, Mastodon Trail, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge] |
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| Canterbury Bells, Mastodon Trail, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge] |
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| The Force is Strong with This One Too, Mastodon Trail, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge] |
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| Flowering Beavertail Cactus, Mastodon Trail, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge] |
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| Dwarfed by the Rocks, Mastodon Trail, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge] |
As we turned the corner from Mastodon Peak and headed back in the direction of the campground, we noticed not one, but eventually, three lizards sunning (sounds like part of a Christmas song ;-).
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| Side-Blotched Lizard, Mastodon Trail, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge] |
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| Juvenile Chuckwalla, Mastodon Trail, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge] |
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| Adult Chuckwalla, Mastodon Trail, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge] |
Heading back to the Cottonwood Campground, we saw more beautiful desert flowers. I guess we were getting the benefit of this year's desert super bloom!
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| Desert Dandelion, Mastodon Trail, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge] |
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| Sand Blazing Star, Mastodon Trail, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge] |
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| A Rose between Ocotillo, Mastodon Trail, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge] |
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| Mojave Aster, Mastodon Trail, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge] |
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| Notchleaf Phacelia, Mastodon Trail, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge] |
After we arrived back at our campsite, we relaxed and then settled down for one of Carol's yummy Vegan Patty Melts, adapted from the carnivore favorite we found at The Shack in Hawaii. The vegan recipe follows:
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| Vegan Patty Melts, Mastodon Trail, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge] |
Carol's Vegan Patty Melt Recipe (4 servings):
(Note: we use Crispy Scott Jurek Burgers, and that recipe can be found at the bottom of this post.)
1 large sweet onion (thinly sliced)
8 oz (small box) of crimini mushrooms (thinly sliced)
Saute onions slowly until carmelized (we use water only, as needed)
Add mushrooms and sauce until browned, and set aside
Next make sauce:
1/4 cup Vegannaise
1/4 cup Grey Poupon or Stoneground mustard
1/4 cup diced Dill pickles (remove excess moisture)
Dash of Cayenne pepper
Mix all together and set aside
Toast 8 slices Dave's Killer 21-Whole Grain Bread
Defrost (first) and then heat 4 Crispy Scott Jurek Burgers on griddle
Once hot, add one slice of "Follow Your Heart" American-Style vegan "cheese" to each patty
Divide sauce evenly and spread on 4 slices of toast
Place hot "cheese" burger patty on each slice of toast with sauce
Divide and spoon sautéed mushrooms and onions on top of each "cheese" burger
Top with other slide of toast
Place on griddle, and cover with cutting board with some weight and heat the patty melt on low
Flip once desired brownness occurs (check after 2-3 minutes), and repeat on second side
(Note: our griddle is "seasoned" so we do not need any Earth Balance spread, but a small amount may be needed if your griddle is not yet non-stick.)
Remove from griddle when browned and cut in half, and serve with potato wedges or side dish or salad of your choice.
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