Back to Catching Up - Joshua Tree NP

As we have traveled in this great country of ours we have learned that just when you think you have seen it all, something new and completely unique will jump out in front of you. That was the case with Joshua Tree NP on California's Mojave and Sonoran deserts.

We visited here the first week in January 2020.

The last week in December there was a snow storm that hit the area and dumped about a foot on the park. We waited a week before going into the park but still found some snowy / icy places at the higher elevations. One trail we hiked was actually a bit treacherous with slick ice.

One of many unexpected facets of the park were the incredible rock formations. They seemed to just be thrust up from the ground on random places. There would be a mile of cactus and Joshua trees, then suddenly a huge outcropping of rocks that looked like they were made of cookie dough. Way cool (but not edible 😁).

The trees and cactus were in very well defined groves. The seemed to stay with their own kind. In the pictures above, the area was covered with these Cholla Cactus. The are rumored to throw their needles at you if you get close, but fortunately that's not true. They have an almost soft appearance but the reality is quite painful (I am told ☹️). Each of the needles has a very tiny point with a barb like a fish hook. The go in easy and come out hard!

The namesake Joshua Tree is a bit less threatening. They are actually a member of the Yucca family and got their name from early Morman settlers because they sometimes look like the prophet Joshua lifting his arms up to God. Seeing the vast areas of these was almost surreal, as though we had traveled to a 1950s era movie about life on Mars. These too were in groves but much larger areas than other species.

We were also treated to a very special sight. Because of the moisture deposited from the recent snow, the Ocotillos were in bloom. Apparently this is a pretty rare sighting. The blooms are very small and break out along the spiney stems of the plant. Once again these were all in a grove, and there were many that seemed to be in bad health or dead. My research found that they are suffering from pollution and global warming, and some think many of these desert plants may be near extinction. The already live in a pretty hostile and unforgiving environment, and may not survive increased temperatures and droughts. It's a shame.☹️

Anyway, the sights of Joshua Tree NP were unlike anything we have seen elsewhere and made for an incredible visit.

Of course this park is 1235 sq miles so there is much we didn't see. But we certainly enjoyed our time there.

Thanks for reading.  Next up, our incredible stay at Camp Pendleton, right on the Pacific Ocean beach!

Cindy and Terry

Wanna see where we have been?  https://www.rvillage.com/my-places/embed/dXNlcl8xMDczMTI%3D