Joshua Tree National Park

This is a continuation of a previous post...

Joshua Tree warmed our hearts a few years back, and when planning this trip we knew we had to spend some more time in the park. After leaving Bombay Beach we were nearing Palm Springs by lunchtime. Keeping with the spontaneous trend, we decided to veer from our directions to check it out...and eat. Just seeing Palm Springs from the car was everything that I had imagined, lunch at The Sandwich Spot was well worth the added travel time, and now we have another place to come back and visit longer.

All of our detours had been great, but at this point we were ready to relax in Joshua Tree. When we arrived to the park our first priority was to set up camp. The last time we were there we stayed one night in the Indian Cove campground, but this time we were getting to stay longer and decided to split our sleeping time and explore Black Rock campground as well. After the tent was set up we had dinner on our minds, and when we think about eating in Joshua Tree our hearts go straight to Crossroads Cafe (this place is seriously no joke and I cannot recommend it enough). The sun was about to set and we decided to walk the nature trail that was close to our campsite in Indian Cove before wrapping up our full day.

Happy FIVE year anniversary to us! We woke up, packed up the tent, and went to eat a big breakfast (at Crossroads Cafe...I told you we love it there) before going to our new campsite. We had never been to Black Rock campground, but it was very different from Indian Cove and were glad we decided to split the time. Much like in Anza-Borrego, we knew the desert temperatures were no joke and that our major hike for the day had to be done early. We decided that we wanted to hike Warren's Pass and fortunately the trailhead was located inside of Black Rock campground. As we started out I was pretty much terrified the entire first mile with the thought of rattlesnakes, but warmed up to the hike as we kept going. I actually got so comfortable that I took over and led the way...until I about led us right into a ginormous swarm of bees. (That moment took all of the confidence from me and then I jumped at every leaf that moved.) The last climb to the top was pretty intense, but the 360 view at the end was worth every step.

The hike back to the campground was actually more brutal than the hike up to the top. The heat was increasing rapidly and shade from the sun was nonexistent. When we finally made it back we had some lunch at our campsite and then decided to make our way into the park. #meadadventures tip: The difference of Joshua Tree from other National Parks that we have visited is that the larger campgrounds (that you can make reservations at) are technically outside the major portion of the park. Joshua Tree does have some really awesome first-come-first-serve campgrounds (Jumbo Rocks being the best in my opinion), but those fill up very quickly and the uncertainty of having a site just isn't worth it to us. We got our map from the pay station, and having plenty of daytime to go, decided to stop at everything we came to. Our first stop was the Hidden Valley Trail. This trail basically throws together everything that Joshua Tree has to offer in a little over one mile loop experience. 

Earlier in this trip I had gotten a pretty awful sunburn on my calves. Fast forward to being in the unforgiving desert sun for the past 3 days, and my skin had finally reached its breaking point after this hike. We got to the car where I placed a very thick layer of sunscreen (our sunscreen is basically 100% zinc so the backs of my legs looked like the nose of a surfer), and decided to make the drive to Keys View to give my skin a break from the sun. To get to Keys View you have to make a bit of a drive to get to the top, but once there you can see the entire Coachella Valley. No matter what it feels like at the bottom, I can assure you that up there it will be cooler and very windy so be sure to hold on to your hats!

After taking in the views and enjoying the breeze, we decided that it would probably be best if we continued to stay out of the afternoon sun. Luckily for us (and my calves) this park can easily be enjoyed from the car just as much as you can on foot. My favorite place in Joshua Tree is actually on the opposite side of the park from where we were and made that our next destination. As we neared the Cholla Cactus Garden the clouds were starting to move in and that allowed us to walk the path through the cacti without being miserable. The trail through the cactus garden is so peaceful and you really get a good sense of the silence that the desert has to offer. After the first time we visited I did more research on the Cholla and found out that they drop their spines in clumps, but on a windy day they can actually be thrown. Looking at them in person, you question just how sharp their spines really are...watching Youtube videos of people who have been "attacked" by (or have accidentally fallen into) them, and that will clear the curiosity up for you.

After leaving the cactus garden we stopped at Skull Rock before pulling off to enjoy our big fancy anniversary dinner...Chef Boyardee and trail mix while sitting in the back of a Jeep. Later, we found a place just off of the main road where we got to watch the most incredible sunset all by ourselves. Our five year anniversary turned out to be just as perfect and special as our actual wedding day.