Joshua Tree National Park
An abundance of Joshua Trees and unusual rock formations make form a unique landscape along the confluence of the Mojave and Colorado deserts.
Being only a two hour drive from Los Angeles, it is one of the most popular National Parks, but it has not been improved beyond the infrastructure of a national monument since its promotion in 1994.
Although Joshua Trees can be found all throughout the Mojave Desert, this is the densest collection I have seen. The grove along Park Blvd is more like a forest, even though Joshua Trees are not actually trees, but a variety of Yucca. The scenic drive down Park Blvd is the primary attraction, but there are plenty of additional stops to be made if you can find a parking spot. Joshua Tree is a very popular park, being only a few hours drive from Los Angeles, and it is not entirely suited for the number of visitors it receives.
KEYS VIEW
A grandiose view of the Coachella Valley, ___ peak across the valley, the Salton Sea and if the air is clear enough you can see all the way to Signal Mountain in Mexico.
SKULL ROCK
The rock looks like a giant skull complete with eye sockets and nasal cavity. The rock is right along the road, no hike is required, but getting a picture of the rock without someone standing in front of it will take a bit of patience. There are a handful of parking spots parallel to the road in front of the rock, but you will most likely have to park on the shoulder of the road and walk a bit.
CHOLLA GARDEN
This is a massive and impressive collection of Cholla Cacti. Thousands and thousands of cacti cover the valley here. Walking through the cacti you can see the countless shapes the cacti take, and perhaps more interestingly the skeletons of dead cacti that look like intricately carved flutes. Be careful though, these Chollas are often referred to as jumping cacti since the seem to prick you when you’re “not even that close” to them.
OCOTILLO PATCH
There are a handful of large Ocotillos here, but it is not like the Cholla Garden. If you have seen large Ocotillos before, this is not impressive. They aren’t even very large Ocotillos, but it can be beautiful to see them bloom after a rain.
BARKER DAM
Originally constructed by early cattlemen in 1900, the short concrete dam helps manage water in an infamously dry climate. It is a fairly short and easy hike to the dam that, if full, can attract wildlife for viewing, but it very well could be dry as it is
TIPS
PATIENCE
Tourist idiots are a particularly annoying breed of idiot. You can try to ignore them, but they will be in all of your photos. Be patient. Many will break the rules, ignore signs, and be generally disrespectful to others in the park and the environment. Please do not be one of these people.
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