Joshua Tree National Park

Not being huge fans of deserts, we thought we were merely coming to Joshua Tree National Park to check it off the list.  Well, I underestimated the splendor of Joshua Tree.  I loved the open desert dotted by Joshua trees and other desert plants, punctuated by piles of gigantic rocks.  The most surprising part was the number of animals we observed.  Of course, I had expected zero, regardless whatever the guidebooks said. 

In all, we enjoyed every excursion we chose to do, in chronological order:

• Hi-view trail: we actually got confused and walked the wrong way from the parking lot, but I ended seeing my first jackrabbit and had a 360 sunset view.
• Rattlesnake canyon scramble: super fun, difficult to find the way.
• 49 palm oasis trail: very hot walk, there was actually small pools of water in the oasis.
• North entrance to West entrance drive
• Hidden valley trail: I don't know why it wasn't more crowded
• West entrance to South entrance drive
• Ryan mountain trail: what a view from the top!

On Thursday morning we drove in the park, there was a sign that said -- all campgrounds are full.  They have 500 sites too.  I am just glad we are finally catching onto the lure of Joshua Tree.

Sunset view from near Hi-view trail.


Some pics from our Rattlesnake Canyon Scramble. An early start meant we were mostly in the shadows for the first hour.

SL doing "The Scramble".


Our route alternated between scrambles and easy walks up a flat gravel and sand washes.




This route was a dead end.


Rewarded with a view back to the valley. You can see our red VW BEETLE in the parking lot.


Into a wash.




SL takes a break near the turnaround point.


And we head down.






It was a hot walk to the 49 Palm Oasis, but worth it....Looking back to the parking lot.


The trail leads to the oasis which is barely visible at upper right.


The oasis of California Fan Palms.




There's a lizard near the trail.


We stop into a Joshua Tree Visitor Center and walk through another palm oasis.




Some migrating turkey vultures.


A beautiful late afternoon drive back to our hotel. Thousands of Joshua trees.




We stop and walk the short Hidden Valley Trail. Wow!






It's been a hot day. I have a streak of salt on my shirt back.


The next morning we drive south through the park, first stopping for a walk to the top of Ryan Mountain at 5400 ft above sea level and a 360 view.....A look down to the road.


A look back to the trail.


Near the the top.


We were surprised to see such colorful vegetation.


At the top of Ryan Mountain.


I take a 360 panorama.




A Joshua Tree.


A snake (some kind of racer) on the trail on the way down.


And an hour of more than awesome vistas as we drive towards the southern end of the park.


Looking over an alluvial plain to Pinto Mountain.