Joshua Tree National Park occupies 800,000 acres in south-eastern California (east of Palm Springs) and offers visitors a wide range of activities, including: nature trails, hiking trails, mountain biking, rock climbing, guided tours, and backcountry camping. The park represents a "unique assembly of natural resources brought together by the junction of three of California’s ecosystem," namely: the Colorado Desert, the Mojave Desert, and the Little San Bernadino Mountains (source: http://www.nps.gov/jotr/naturescience/index.htm).
- The Colorado Desert occupies the southern and eastern parts of the park and is a western extension of the Sonoran Desert. In this area, visitors will find spike-like ocotillo plants and “jumping” cholla cactus.
- In the northern part of the park is the Mojave Desert, which is the home of park’s namesake: the Joshua tree. The plant can also be found in the western half of the park.
- In the western part of the park are the Little San Bernardino Mountains, which are home to California juniper and pinyon pine.
Animal diversity is also present at Joshua Tree. Desert bighorn, rattlesnakes, migratory birds all call the park home or at least a rest-stop on their way somewhere.
Geologically the park features granite monoliths and rugged canyons. Additionally, "washes, playas, alluvial fans, bajadas, desert varnish, igneous and metamorphic rocks interact to form a pattern of stark beauty and ever changing complexity," (source: NPS).
- The Colorado Desert occupies the southern and eastern parts of the park and is a western extension of the Sonoran Desert. In this area, visitors will find spike-like ocotillo plants and “jumping” cholla cactus.
- In the northern part of the park is the Mojave Desert, which is the home of park’s namesake: the Joshua tree. The plant can also be found in the western half of the park.
- In the western part of the park are the Little San Bernardino Mountains, which are home to California juniper and pinyon pine.
Animal diversity is also present at Joshua Tree. Desert bighorn, rattlesnakes, migratory birds all call the park home or at least a rest-stop on their way somewhere.
Geologically the park features granite monoliths and rugged canyons. Additionally, "washes, playas, alluvial fans, bajadas, desert varnish, igneous and metamorphic rocks interact to form a pattern of stark beauty and ever changing complexity," (source: NPS).
Hiking Trails
Boy Scout Trail - an 16-mile round trip hike with scenic views through the edge of the Wonderland of Rocks
49 Palms Oasis - 3-mile moderate trail leading to an oasis with pools of water awaiting your arrival.
Lost Horse Mine and Mountain - 4-mil moderate hike to the site of the ten-stamp mill. The summit of the mountain is at 5,278ft, just under a mile.
Lost Palms Oasis - a 8-mile moderate hike through a canyon with many palms. There are also optional side trips to Victory Pals and Munsen Canyon.
Mastodon Peak - a strenuous 3-mile climb to 3,371 feet with great views of Eagle Mountain and Salton Sea.
Ryan Mountain - a strenuous 3-mile hike to 5,461 feet with views of Host Horse, Queen, and Pleasant Valleys below.
Cholla Cactus Garden - a short 0.3-mile interpretive trail through a cactus garden, just off the side of the road.
Boy Scout Trail - an 16-mile round trip hike with scenic views through the edge of the Wonderland of Rocks
49 Palms Oasis - 3-mile moderate trail leading to an oasis with pools of water awaiting your arrival.
Lost Horse Mine and Mountain - 4-mil moderate hike to the site of the ten-stamp mill. The summit of the mountain is at 5,278ft, just under a mile.
Lost Palms Oasis - a 8-mile moderate hike through a canyon with many palms. There are also optional side trips to Victory Pals and Munsen Canyon.
Mastodon Peak - a strenuous 3-mile climb to 3,371 feet with great views of Eagle Mountain and Salton Sea.
Ryan Mountain - a strenuous 3-mile hike to 5,461 feet with views of Host Horse, Queen, and Pleasant Valleys below.
Cholla Cactus Garden - a short 0.3-mile interpretive trail through a cactus garden, just off the side of the road.
Trails
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Hidden Valley, Joshua Tree National Park
Sample the best of Joshua Tree National Park on this short 1 mile nature trail loop in the heart of the park.
Sample the best of Joshua Tree National Park on this short 1 mile nature trail loop in the heart of the park.
Easy
1.0 mi/
1.6 km
1.6 km
Joshua Tree Peak from Indian Cove Campground
Rock scrambling. 3.9 mile trail near Panorama Heights, California
Rock scrambling. 3.9 mile trail near Panorama Heights, California
n/a
3.9 mi/
6.3 km
6.3 km
Guides
Sample the best of Joshua Tree National Park on this short 1 mile nature trail loop in the heart of the park.
Rock scrambling. 3.9 mile trail near Panorama Heights, California
Community Trips
from the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens:The Living Desert Nature Preserve consists of 1,080 sonoran desert
acres situated just above the zoo. From The Living Desert, a hiker can
select one of three trails to suit their desired experience of the real
undisturbed desert. The nature trails take you through various Sonoran
Desert biological communities and habitats including desert riparian
woodland with smoketree, palo verde and desert willow, and desert scrub...
One of the most popular trails among local cardio-enthusiasts, the
Mirage Trail (also known as the "Bump-n-Grind" trail, the "Desert Drive
Trail", the "Patton Trail", and the "Desert Mirage Trail") begins
with it's trail-head along Highway 111 on the border of Rancho Mirage
and Palm Desert. There are a few start points for this trail. Books
will tell you that you should access it via Painters Path (behind Target
in Palm...
A short but rewarding nature walk in the heart of Joshua Tree.
Full write up at Modern Hiker.
Scrambling around Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree NP - Wonderland of Rocks, California, United States
10.2 miles
10.2 miles
We spent a few days in Joshua Tree with warm weather and a great campsite. Our big hike there was an off trail hiking/scrambling adventure that got quite a bit longer than planned. Our outbound wash was pretty easy for the most part with only a few rock piles to scramble over. But the return route was full of car and bus sized boulders that took a long time to get over....
Amidst the Eagle Mountain Range at the SouthWest corner of Joshua Tree National Park, lies Carey’s Castle, a small cave-like dwelling constructed in the 1920’s for use as a place to live while mining the adjacent vertical shaft. Very little is known about the “Carey” character, however without the inquisitiveness of the destination; this is still a magnificent hike full of incredible flora and terrain to behold. An early spring hike such as ours is probably...
Samuelson Rocks Hike, Joshua Tree National Park, CA
Joshua Tree, California, United States
5.8 miles
5.8 miles
A slightly more interesting and less direct route to the Samuelson Rocks. The rocks on which Mr. Samuelson engraved his philosophies while homesteading in the 1920's make for a great day hike destination! Read the history here: http://www.nps.gov/jotr/historyculture/samrocks.htm.
This is an easy, popular hike as it is closest to 29 Palms and does not require an entrance fee to the national park to get to the trail head. It also has great views of 29 Palms, but no Joshua Trees (it does have yucca plants). The palm tree oasis is worth the walk too. Spring time is nicest as the flowers and blooming cactus add to the scenery.
A nice 7.2-mile loop consisting of the Mirage (a.k.a. "Bump-n-Grind"),
Herb Jeffries, & Mike Schuler Trails. Because most of these trails are so short, I thought it best to create some loops for people visiting to venture upon. This loop allows you access to every north-end trail in the Palm Desert San Jacinto area.You will begin at the trail-head for the Mirage Trail and work your way to the top. Then back...
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