Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park
Date Visited: Friday, November 12, 2021 - Saturday, November 13, 2021
I feel extremely lucky and privileged to live in California, home of nine national parks! Joshua Tree National Park is the third national park I have visited. The park is located in southern California, just two hours east of Los Angeles near Coachella valley. Named for the region’s twisted, bristled Joshua trees, the park is littered with thousands of the namesake trees as far as your eyes can see, interrupted only by the numerous gigantic, other worldly rock formations. Visiting in Fall / Winter was perfect and recommended, as the temperature never rose above unbearable.
Joshua Tree Visitor Center
Before entering the park, we stopped by the visitor center for souvenirs and park information. Knowledgeable park rangers were waiting outside the entrance to help guests with trail suggestions and general questions.
Cap Rock
Cap rock is an easy 0.4-mile loop trail with a view of a large rock formation with a smaller, flat rock balancing on top of it. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/cap-rock-trail
Hidden Valley Trail
Hidden Valley trail is an easy 1.0 mile loop with great views of Joshua Trees and huge rock walls of which you may see rock climbers traversing. Hidden valley is a great name for this trail, as it feels like you’ve been transported into a magically quiet landscape in the middle of nowhere. Surrounding the valley are fun blocks of rocks that just inviting you to climb them.
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/hidden-valley-nature-trail?ref=result-card
Cholla Cactus Garden
Cholla cactus may seem like friendly, furry teddy bears, but be very cautious around them. Along the perimeter of the cactus garden are signs warning tourists of the ‘jumping’ nature of the cactus needles. The best time to visit the Cholla Cactus gardens is during sunrise, when the sun rises perfectly behind the cacti, making the ‘fur’ glow a brilliant golden hue.
Night Photography
Joshua Tree National Park is an astrophotographer’s dream. With light pollution at a low, the milky way can be visible with the naked eye. We did not account for the moon’s cycle, so you may have to wait until the early AM for complete darkness when the moon is over the hemisphere.
Arch Rock Nature Trail
Another jumbo rock playground. A must visit.
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/arch-rock-trail--2?ref=result-card
Keys Point
Key’s point may be the most crowded location and visited location in the park. Key’s point is the go to sunset spot, with a high elevation and views of the Coachella Valley. Something about watching the sunset on Key’s point with a large group of travelers from all around the world did feel like a spiritual experience.
