 | Joshua Tree National Park Walking / Hiking / Climbing Reviews | Tips 1 - 10 of 55 |  |
Joshua Tree National Park is vast and desolate, covering about 800,000 acres. Two ecosystems come together - one at 3,000 feet dominated by the creosote brush and cholla cactus - the other, slightly higher place is the home of the Joshua Tree. A third ecosystem is located at the westernmost part of the Park above 4,000 feet. This third ecosystem is moister and is the home of five desert fan palm oases, 5 of only 158 in all of North America.
Bleakness has its own kind of beauty, and this was a nice escape from Los Angeles. We put our camping gear in the back of the Jeep, U2 on the car stereo and headed, as they say, for the hills. Leave a Comment
|
Joshua Tree has miles of hiking trails, mostly from moderate to strenuous. The more adventurous types will be pleased to know this is a top spot for mountain climbing. I'm sure we would have done more of both, but it was well over 90 degrees F. It probably would have constituted child abuse to make the kids trek across the desert in the blazing heat. Leave a Comment
|
Hidden Valley is my favorite area of Joshua Tree National Park. You can rockclimb, hike and camp here. It's a lovely section of the park.
There is a large parking lot at Hidden Valley, as well as restrooms. If you'd like to camp while visiting Joshua Tree, this is a very attractive place to do it. There are a large number of camping areas.
When you drive into Hidden Valley, you'll probably see rockclimbers working their way up the impressive rocks at the entrance. These aren't rocks you can climb without ropes, so you'll probably want to stay on the ground and watch the experienced climbers edge upwards.
Past the first set of rocks, you'll see the campground and several hiking trails leading off into the desert. This is a great place to stop and do some hiking. It's very quiet and beautiful once you get out on the trails. You'll be surrounded by Joshua Trees and all of the natural splendor of the park. Leave a Comment Directions: Follow your map and proceed down Park Blvd.
|
 | |  |
Lost Horse Mine is a short 4 mile hike to the remains of a ten-stamp mill which used to crush ore before it was dumped into vats of cyanide used to separate out the gold. Unfortunately the stamp-mill is ‘protected’ from the public by a hideous and inappropriate chain-link fence.
Look for the amazing giant nolinas on the way!
From the sign in front of the stamp-mill:
Operated intermittently between 1893 and 1936, the mine produced over 9000 ounces of gold for its operators. Dutch Frank Diebold is credited with the original discovery of the claim, which he sold for $1000 to Johnny Lang. Johnny reportedly first came upon Dutch’s claim while looking for a lost horse, hence the current name.
The mine consist of a 500-foot deep shaft, an early 80-foot audit, several stopes where the vein was followed, and, at least, six working levels... Leave a Comment Directions: From Park Blvd turn south on Keys View Road. At approximately 2 miles turn east on the dirt Lost Horse Mine Road. Park and hike in.
|
| | |
Barker Dam trail is a 1.5 mile loop that goes through some beautiful scenery. The first part of the trail, up to the dam, cuts through a narrow canyon leading past many granite boulders (which my buddy felt inclined to climb every 20 feet or so). This place is called Wonderland or Rocks and the name fits. This canyon lead to a small reservoir surrounded by steep rock formations and boulders. At the turn of the 20th century settlers built a 20-foot long, 10-foot high dam to fully enclose the area and used the water for horses and cattle. We were there in February and there was plenty of water present forming a small lake. Below the dam is a circular watering structure built by for cattle. The second part of the trail passes through a terrain full of crooked Joshua Trees, looping past some petroglyphs. Leave a Comment
|
Hidden Valley is an easy, pretty 1 mile loop trail. This is a rock-enclosed valley which legend tells us was once a hideout for cattle and horse rustlers in the late 1800’s. The tall rocky walls and huge boulders seem to form a natural corral here that is entered through a narrow gap in the rocks. There are signs along the walk that will give you information about the history of the area. The rock formations in the area are popular with rock climbers. Leave a Comment Directions: Begin at the Hidden Valley Picnic area
|
The nature trail is an easy third of a mile walk that will take you past a 35 foot arch. Signs along the nature trail will explain the geology in the area. A side trip will lead you through narrow areas formed by rock monoliths to the White Tank. Cattlemen constructed the tank in the early 1900s. Like many tanks in the park it has filled with sand, although still moist it is an area that attracts birds and wildlife. This side trip leaves the trail at the Arch Exhibit and passes in front of the arch. Continue about 100 yards and then scramble down through some small boulders. Leave a Comment Directions: The trail begins near the end of the White Tank Campground.
|
This is a very easy loop trail, less than a mile in length. This trail follows the edge of large boulder piles and travels through low hills and a wide sandy wash. Signs along the way will help you to understand the plants and animals that live in the Mojave Desert, so it is a little like walking in a museum of nature. Leave a Comment Directions: Begins at the west end of the Indian Cove campground.
|
The Jojoba Plant, commonly referred to as the Deernut, Goat nut, or Coffeeberry plant grows extensively throughoout the Mojave Desert and provides food for deer, squirrels and other animals. The indians and early sttlers in the area ground the nuts to make coffee. Medicinal and lubracations uses have also been found for this versatile plant. Address: 74485 National Park Drive Twentynine Palms, CAPhone: (760) 367-5500Directions: Just north of Interstate 10 between LA and Arizona.Website: http://www.nps.gov/jotr/
|
Many desert animals depend on the nut from the Pinyon Pine (which ripens in September) for food. Wood rats may store 30 pounds of the nuts for the winter. Address: 74485 National Park Drive Twentynine Palms, CAPhone: (760) 367-5500Directions: Just north of Interstate 10 between LA and Arizona.Website: http://www.nps.gov/jotr/
|
More Joshua Tree National Park Tips |
 |
 |
Search Hotels
Find the best room rates |
|
 |
|
on March 11, 2004
on February 25, 2004
on August 24, 2004
on May 5, 2005
on April 28, 2005
on November 2, 2007
