[trailjunky]

It looks like my wife and I are might be able to check out Joshua Tree here in a few weeks on our trip to Southern California. If we only had time to hike one trail which one should it be? We would like to see the best of the best if possible since time is limited. Thanks you guys, any information is greatly appreciated.

[SlowWalker]

Cholla Cactus Garden The one time I've been there I drove out after a class in Redlands and spent the night at the Black Rock campground. Nothing fancy, but convenient. The next morning I drove across the entire park, stopping whenever I felt like it, starting at the West Entrance and ending past the Cottonwood Spring entrance. The Cactus Garden is nearly in the middle and isn't a hike but a nature trail. Very cool stuff. It was very enjoyable and I was still able to get to the Ontario International Airport by 2pm. Its a beautiful area and you pass a huge wind farm on the way. Have fun!

[David¹]

[Stones]

Most folks hang out in the upper western part (Mojave desert) around the Hidden Valley and Jumbo Rocks areas because that's where all the cool Joshua trees and spheroidally weathered granite formations are located. That's also where all the rock climbers go. Myself, I like the eastern lower part (Sonoran desert), like Cottonwood Spring. A nice hike would be from Cottonwood Spring to Lost Palms Oasis. There you'll find springs and native California fan palms. It's early in the season but your best chance of seeing wildflowers is in the eastern lower part. My personal preference, if it was me, I'd park at the backcountry parking area in Pinto Basin and strike out across the basin and climb up to Pinto Mountain. I love the vast openness of Pinto Basin.

[grannyhiker]

Mid to late March is supposedly the peak of bloom out there. It really depends on how much rainfall there has been. In 2005, all of southern California was one big mass of bloom (that was the year that even Death Valley turned into a flower garden). In 2007, there wasn't a flower to be seen. Here is THE site for keeping track of desert wildflower bloom. While in Southern California, consider a boat trip to the Channel Islands (google Island Packers). Even in the dry spring of 2007, mid to late March was extraordinary, with both ceanothus and coreopsis in full bloom. For Santa Cruz, need to go with a guided hike in the Nature Conservancy portion of the island, but it was a lot of fun. On some of the other islands and on the National Park section of Santa Cruz, you can backpack, but you need to be completely self-contained, including water. The boat trip itself is worthwhile; it's a rare trip you don't see porpoises or whales or both. Here are a few shots from my 2007 trip to Santa Cruz.

Channel Is. NP

Channel Is. NP

Channel Is. NP

[HappyHiker]

Never been there but my family owns land in the park. There were plans, before it was a park, to build the next Palm Springs in that area. My great aunt purchased a lot in this up and coming place but things never happened. Eventually the park was created and swallowed up the land this development was at. We still have title to the lot and are in communications with the park to deed it over. Also our great uncle was the first superintendent for the park. My sister was down there 5 years ago to visit the place and the rangers took her thru the locked gate to go see the property. Wasnt much really cuz nothing really started developing, just the road to it. So anyway we are in talks with the fine folks down there to have a plaque put up honoring the first superintendent in exchange for the land. Something generations of our family can go visit and learn about their history. I suppose i should go down myself to see it. Be a nice change from this winter we've had. So in short, i have know idea about any hiking trails down there, but if ya pass by my lot on the way, you have my permission to stay there .

[Mr. Cleanhead]

The lookout at (if memory serves me) at Keys View. Once I timed it right to watch the sunrise there over Palm Springs, thousands of feet below. Not a hike, (it is the end of the road, and could be the high point of the park) but well worth the effort. You could drive to the view point before dawn, catch the show, then go hiking. It is a beautiful place in winter. My old stomping grounds! Have fun. Do not touch the cholla before you pee, trust me. Jim

[marta]

Here are two other sites to check wildflower blooms. The web sites usually start up in February/March. California Wildflower Hotsheet Theodore Payne Wildflower Hotline We were there camping mid-March one year. Got snowed on higher up while camping. We enjoyed the 49 Palm hike which is not very long or hard. We also went to Cholla Garden.

[whitebark]

If you are looking for a short hike, Barker Dam loop is nice..lots of granite pinnacles. I enjoyed the hike to Willow Hole, starting from the south end of the Boy Scout Trail.

[drilldaddyo]

I just got back from there in November. The Northern end of the park is much more visually interesting than the Southern end. There might be some information @ Backpacker.com. Go to the forum section and look in the "destinations" then "Southwest" section for Joshua Tree posts. My post is no longer there, but I found the replies there to be very helpful.

[Mace]

J Tree is sublime. Otherworldly trees and rock formations. Good hiking, bouldering and climbing. Also consider Anza Borrego State Park for hiking. I have been there several times the last few winters and will enjoy returning. Watch the bloom reports and figure out where to hike when you are out there. Anza Borrego Desert State Park