I’ve been to some pretty cool places in my life. Some places I’ve had to travel large distances to get to, and some are right in my backyard. I am lucky enough to have spent my whole life in beautiful, sunny California, spending time in both halves of the state. I’ve wandered through redwood trees, ferns, and moss, sailed through the cold blue waters of the Santa Cruz coastline, hiked through snowy mountains, but one of my favorite places, despite its barren appearance from afar, is the desert.
So Why Joshua Tree?
Joshua Tree is one of those magical places where there is beauty not only in the big landscape views of rugged mountains and winding valleys, but also in the amazingly intricate details of life adapted to the harsh environment. Also, for those of you who have seen them before, you will likely agree that Joshua Trees themselves are WEIRD-LOOKING! (In the best way possible, of course). I love how each one is unique in its shape and the way it grows. I suppose all trees are unique in those ways, but due to their inherent characteristics, the differences in shape between Joshua Trees is much more apparent than in other types of trees.
Alien or Joshua Tree?
Another great reason to visit Joshua Tree is for the rock climbing and bouldering. It is a popular spot year round but is especially popular in the winter and spring months when the temperatures are more mild and when it is too cold and/or snowy to climb in Yosemite. The rocks are made up of quartz monzonite, a type of granite, and are extremely rough, especially since there is little snow or rain to smooth them down. We experienced this firsthand - although we didn’t bring climbing or bouldering gear, we all climbed around on the rocks and each of us drew blood at one point or another thanks to a rough rock and a careless step or handhold. The whole time we were there I was kicking myself for not bringing climbing gear and was mentally planning our next trip out with appropriate climbing equipment. There are so many great routes for climbers of all levels, including beginners like me, and nearly all are easily accessible via short hikes on flat ground.
Looking for my route in my completely appropriate climbing gear…
Even though we didn’t get to officially climb, we still had an excellent time. We loved seeing the plants and the variety of wildlife: so many different kinds of birds, several rabbits, and a bunch of cute lizards. The hiking was great, the views incredible, the temperature lovely. We were only there for half a day, therefore only got to explore a few short trails, but even the little slice of the park that we saw was beautiful.
This little Cactus Wren was supervising from her perch in a Joshua Tree.
The bunnies had excellent camouflage and kept their distance from hikers.
This Teddy bear cholla (Cylindropuntia bigelovii) was glowing, backlit by the early morning sunshine.
Another great thing about this National Park is that you don’t have to be a super-fit hiker or climber to see and enjoy some incredible views. While the hiking and climbing IS great, if you are unable to or don’t have the desire to go for big hikes, there are plenty of things to see from the many parking areas. The best view that we saw required no hiking in. It was the Keys View, and is only about a 25 minute drive from the park entrance near the town of Joshua Tree (Highway 62). From here, we had expansive views of the surrounding mountain ranges and the desert towns beneath them. (Another perk to visiting Joshua Tree at this time of year was getting to see snow on the mountains!
From Keys View. No hiking required to see this amazing vista!
We also got to see some ruins from an old farmhouse called the Wonderland Ranch (from the Wonderland Wash trailhead). These ruins are evidence of the prospecting that once happened in the area before it became part of a National Park (for those of you who are interested, Joshua Tree became a National Monument in 1936 and was later converted to a National Park in 1994). Not much was left of the house, but it was fun to imagine what it must have been like to live in such a place nearly a century ago.
Remnants of the fireplace at the Wonderland Ranch
Hanging out in the Wonderland Ranch ruins with my friend Kelly
Take-Away Message(s):
Based on our experience, I do have a few tips that I would love to share with any of you who are interested in also enjoying this wonderful place:
Tip #1: Get There Early
There are several reasons why I would recommend arriving at the park early, especially if you’re going for just a day trip like we did. First of all, we didn’t have to wait in a line of cars to get in the park (but did see a line of cars waiting to get in as we were headed out). Secondly, mornings/sunrises are (in my opinion) one of the prettiest times of day in the desert (right up there with evenings/sunsets). The light is low and therefore not so intense and you can see more details of the surrounding landscapes. Also, the temperatures will be much more comfortable in the morning if you’re planning a summertime visit. Which leads me to my next point:
Tip #2: Wear Layers
Desert temperatures can vary largely from nighttime to daytime and can also change quickly. To me, it is incredibly difficult to enjoy a beautiful sunrise if my hands are numb and my body is shivering uncontrollably. Now, the temperatures weren’t too extreme when we went on this trip in mid-March, but it was definitely sweatshirt-weather when we arrived and was definitely NOT sweatshirt-weather in the middle of the day, so I was grateful to be prepared with appropriate clothing. If you go in the summer months, definitely be prepared for warm weather, which leads into my next point:
Tip #3: Stay Hydrated
In the summer months it is easier to remember to drink water (and is extremely necessary), but if you go in winter or spring when the temperatures are sometimes even cold, its easier to forget to hydrate. However, the air is still very dry, so drinking lots of fluids is still necessary. We had our car packed with Vitamin Waters and bottled water and made a point to drink even when we didn’t “feel thirsty”.
Tip #4: Don’t be a Jerk
It seems silly to have to bring this up, but I do think its necessary due to what I heard happened not only at Joshua Tree but at other National Parks during the government shutdown in recent months. Apparently, people were not only leaving trash everywhere, but they were extremely unsanitary when it came to, er, going to the bathroom. It astounds me that people can go to such a beautiful place with the intent of enjoying and appreciating the natural beauty and not want to take care of it. Also, it is my understanding that it is important to stay on the marked trails so as not to unwittingly disturb sensitive plant and animal life by trodding on it. So my advice would be this: if you pack it in, pack it out. If you see trash, pick it up. Be respectful of posted rules. Let’s keep our National Parks clean and beautiful so future generations can continue to enjoy them. :)
Tip #5: Go with Friends
There are two reasons why I say this. First of all, it is so much more FUN to see a new place with someone who is also enjoying it, and to share the joy of discovery with someone else. I went with two of my best girlfriends and we all noticed different things and loved pointing things out to each other. Secondly, it is so much safer to travel, hike, climb, etc. with others. If you fall while playing on the rocks and hurt yourself, you’ve got someone to help you get out, and if necessary, get help.
Tip #6: Go in the Spring
This tip is purely personal preference, but I honestly think early spring is the best time of year to enjoy Joshua Tree National Park. The temperatures are mild, it is less dusty overall, and if you go between February and April, you are likely to see the Joshua Trees flowering, which is a beautiful thing to see and which you would miss if you came at other times of year.
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about Joshua Tree. If you’d like to hear about similar adventures, be sure to check out my post about hiking in Bear Valley or travelling through Costa Rica!