After reading the responses I find there is a great variety of suggestions, all of which are great. However, it would have been easier to give more focused and specific answers if the actual destination was stated by the OP - no offense. Knowing which of the various types of desert environments the OP will be in is an example of a key bit of info. I spent four years in the Tucson area. I can tell you that desert area is far different than the Gila Bend and Phoenix area deserts.