Thunderstorm over a Southwest Dry Lakebed

It is amazing how fast Mother Nature can change the desert environment.  While  I was exploring a remote lake bed I noticed a formation of clouds forming over the surrounding mountain range. Within a short time I could feel the temperature changing and saw the clouds were rapidly building. The downdraft from the clouds created dust which began to engulf  the lake. I decided to continue exploring the lake bed and travel to the opposite side,  away from the storm.

  As I arrived at the shoreline on the opposite side of the lake visibility was now only a few feet over the entire surface. Since many of the storms only last a few minutes and disappear as fast as they arrive. I decided to wait a little longer and see if the storm  would blow over.

  The rain began to fall. I decided it might be time to make my way back to the small road leading off  of the lake. Fortunately earlier in the day upon arriving to the lakebed I made numerous waypoints with my gps. I always gps the location of the road leading onto the lakebed surface. With the locations marked it makes it easier to find your way  back (even in the dark) should an emergency arise.

As I started driving towards the road guided only by the gps the rain was now starting to cover the surface of the lake. I was still quite a distance from the road leading off of the lake. When I was within a mile or so from the shoreline the rain had now stopped the sand from blowing. As I saw what lied ahead of me I began to get worried. I could barely see the edge of the lake and the road.  The road / wash that I followed onto the lake was now  full of water and reverting back to the stream that once filled the lake many years ago. The water was now covering the entire edge of the lake 5 to 8” deep 200 feet from the shoreline. I could feel my truck starting to lose traction as I entered the water. I felt my only chance to get off of the lake bed was to increase my speed and steer towards the wash that was once a road. My truck began to slide sideways, but  it still was going in the direction of the wash leading off the lake. As the truck slid onto the edge of the shore I could feel the four wheel drive grab hold of the rocks and finally have enough traction to get up onto the road. I still had doubt that we would reach the main road with all  of the flooding and unknown conditions of the wash.

When we reached the main road I had a chance to stop and photograph the lake. The

lake was still filling with water and some parts were completely submerged. I think next time I will leave a little earlier!