3 Must Do Trails at Joshua Tree National Park
With the lovely motto of ‘Do Not Die Today’, how can you resist a trip to this lovely National Park that sits not just on one desert.. but two. Joshua Tree National Park is an intense landscape that crosses over both the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert. It holds over 800,000 areas of wilderness that ambitious visitors can explore. Joshua Tree National Park is also dubbed one of the United States International Dark Sky Park’s, which means you can view planets, meteor showers, and the Milky Way with minimal light pollution. It is a wild terrain, and with so many miles of trails to set foot on at Joshua Tree National Park, how does one decide which to choose? Here I will go over with you three of my top picks and the highlights of each trail.
#1 Cholla Cactus Garden
Cholla Cactus Garden is a mesmerizing array of spiny cactus. This is another short yet time-stopping spot of beauty. This garden of Cactus has a beautiful backdrop of the mountains. It is an easy loop trail of .25 miles. However, there is no shade. This means that bringing plenty of water is highly recommended. These Cactus bloom in April and May. Their delicate flowers can be an array of different colors such as reds and yellows, creating a unique contrast against the harsh spines and deep greens. These cactus to have spines that “jump” when brushed up agaisnt. And the barbs are supposed to be extremely painful. So avoid getting too close to these unique beauties.
#2 Keys View
Keys View is an easy walk of a quarter mile up a pathed path. Driving to this trail head you will see signs of tortoises crossing warning you to keep a look out for this endangered and beloved park’s Desert Tortoise. Drive slowly to give the ride away to any animals crossing. This includes hares, squirrels, tortoises, fox, and more. Once you arrive, this short and simple path will lead you to panoramic views of the San Gorgonio Mountains, Mount San Jacinto, Joshua Trees in the lower valleys, and even the Salton Sea. This is dubbed one of the best places to view the sunset in the park. Although I believe whatever trail you are on, you can’t go wrong when viewing the sunset.
#3 Barker Dam
Lastly, we will explore Barker Dam. This trail is much more extensive than the previous two trails mentioned. At roughly 1.1-mile round trip, this trail sounds easy enough. However, on a hot summer afternoon with temperatures soaring into the triple digits, exposure on this trail can still cause heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Yet it is one of the most dynamic trails waiting to be explored. Bighorn Sheep can be spotted here in the early mornings. Jutting rocks take all shapes and tower over you as you make your way down the loop path. Antelope Ground Squirrels play between the cactus flowers, collecting moisture from the sweet nectar and rolling in the dirt. As you pass a historic well made by early cattle ranchers, you will continue to a stunning overlook of a valley that leads you down into the heart of the Joshua Trees themselves. This trail is a must-see-and-do experience.
Of course, there are many trails to chose from at Joshua Tree National Forest that you can research on the National Park Service website as well as purchase passes for any of the National Parks in the U.S.
Before planning your trip, it is vital you check the National Park’s official website at http://www.nps.gov for any park or trail closures or danger alerts that may be occuring. Always tell a trusted person where you are going, have a trail map handy, pack at least one gallon of water per person per day (this is the desert), have a compass handy, have a small first aid kit, and utilize a walking stick for rough terrain and rattlesnakes.
The desert can be a dangerous place to set foot in. Yet it also holds a serenity that only those who venture forth in it can fully appreciate and experience.
https://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/hiking.htm
I’m Medussa and here you will find source information and media on everything from local entertainment, travel information, foodie spots, and more. Come along for the ride and experience the Visuals of our World.
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