I have always heard about Joshua Tree National Park in books and movies. Strangely, it has never been on my radar to visit. Continue reading for my quick and unexpected tour through Joshua Tree.
Deciding Where To Go
I had a work trip to Palm Springs, California and I had several free hours prior to work starting. Unsure what I should do with my gap time, I started looking at the map. There were two national parks within driving distance; Joshua Tree and San Bernardino National Forest. When I checked the GPS, it said Joshua Tree National Park was only an hour drive, so why not. I got in my rental car and headed north knowing I had to make it back to the airport in time to pick my coworker up when she arrived that afternoon.
I arrived at the entrance of the park in Joshua Tree, California and went into the park headquarters. The Park Ranger I met was from Texas and very friendly, of course. He was a student from Texas A&M and doing an internship at Joshua Tree. In typical Texas fashion we had the initial Texas greeting of learning all about each other’s lives in less than 10 minutes. I told him about my timeline and he really thought I was crazy to go into the park with the short amount of time I had. He said I might make the airport in time if I rushed so I bought my pass and took off. I changed out of traveling clothes to hiking attire in the restroom of the park office. Literally plane to National Park is how this went!
Please remember I do not know what to expect. I had done little to no research on the park. However, I was so excited to be able to see something new and different. I told the ranger that I had zero park knowledge and he filled me in with some quick facts:
Joshua Tree History & Facts
- Joshua Tree is where 2 deserts meet – the Mojave and the Colorado
- President F.D.R. designated it a national monument in 1936 but it didn’t achieve National Park Status until 1994
- Consists of ~800,000 acres! That is large!
- Named after the Joshua Tree, found in the western part of the park where the southern boundary of the Mojave Desert is.
- Ranges from 536 feet all the way to 5,814 feet at the top of Quail Mountain.
- Home to 46 reptile species (I didn’t stick around to see these!), 57 mammal species, 250 bird species, and 813 plant species.
- 191 miles of hiking! Wish I had had the time!
- Lots of Camping, Back country roads, and Rock Climbing are offered. Make sure to check their website for requirements and safety.
With that knowledge, I headed to the rental, put the sticker in my window and took off. After driving through what looked like a residential neighborhood, I saw the West Park Entrance and the ranger station, slowed down, and he waved me through. As I get into the park, I get a work call and cell reception is becoming next to nothing. I’m thinking, Co-workers I don’t have time to talk work! Wait – I am supposed to be working, ugh – I pull over.
Admiring the Beauty While Rushing
The vast terrain you experience here is phenomenal. You have the desert and mountains and then mix those together with the beautiful Joshua Trees and it is a photographer’s dream. As you drive along you see huge rock formations appear in the middle of the desert and as you climb in elevation you can look back at the flat desert behind you.
I wish I had had a dash cam to allow you the privilege of experiencing driving through the park like a speed demon. I was of course obeying the laws while getting a lot of pictures! It is comical as I look back. Who knew the desert could be so beautiful? Who knew you could be in the desert and see snow in the distance on the peaks!
As time speeds past, I keep pulling over, jumping out, and trying to capture the beauty this place holds. The wind is no joke there and you can feel the temperature drop as you climb in elevation. There aren’t many people in the park this day. Which makes life much easier as I am rushing my way through experiencing Joshua Tree National park.
Windy Day – Hair Flying!
Making it Back to the Airport Just in Time
After an hour and a half of driving, I finally exit the park at the North Entrance and make my way back to the Palm Springs airport just in time to pick up my coworker. I will have you (and the Park Ranger) know that she only waited 5 minutes for me! This should prove to anyone that you CAN take the detour and experience something you never expected to experience.
This will definitely be a park I go back to! It was absolutely stunning! Trust me the detour is WORTH IT!
