Wikipedia gives correct, but dry definition:
A local will give you a more direct answer - depending on where they live. "Over the Cajon Pass", "It's past Yucca Valley" or "Joshua Tree". This refers to the rise you take to get to the high desert from LA (to Vegas) or from Palm Springs / the 10. You see the the rise from Moronogo Valley (already higher than Palm Springs) up to Yucca Valley below.
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| Look at the rise up to Yucca Valley in the distance |
So what is the real difference?
Ecologically, the High Desert will often fall below freezing in the winter. This requires a different sort of plant that has to endure frost, more rain (so they have to be able to store it - so usually larger plants) and long dry spells. The Joshua Tree is the most recognized of these types of plants.
By contrast the Low Desert will have much higher temperatures in the summer, usually no frost in the winter and longer more severe periods of drought.
Areas of near constant beauty are those places where the mountains drop into the low desert and therefore there is a lot of water. Palm Canyon hikes are gorgeous (the one below is from Anza-Borrego, and there is another in South Palm Springs Canyon).
Socially, traditionally the High Desert dweller is a year-round resident. Often military (there are large military bases in the high desert), often retired, very often retired military. A little cold is more than offset by a much cooler summer (101 F instead of 115 F or 38C vs 46 C).
By contrast the Low Desert is populated by second homes, snow birds and lots of irrigation. And a lot more rich people.
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| Condos in Ranco Mirage |
