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Joshua Tree National Park is at a biological and geological
crossroads. The park straddles the natural boundary where the high,
cool Mojave Desert and the low, hot Colorado Desert meet. The park
preserves an outstanding collection of rich desert plant life including
extensive stands of the iconic Joshua tree.
Scenically, the
park is marked by maze-like formations of tumbled monzogranite boulders
that are popular with rock climbers, making the area a worldwide
destination for climbing enthusiasts. Joshua Tree National Park is
bounded on the south by the geologically active San Andreas Fault. From
the mile-high vista at Keys View, visitors can stand on the edge of the
North American Continental Plate and look down at the Pacific
Continental Plate in the Coachella Valley below. The intricate boulder
formations on the western side of the park give way on the eastern side
to the broad expanses of the Pinto Basin.
The desert provides
home and habitat to hundreds of species of birds, mammals, reptiles,
and insects -- many supremely adapted to the harsh arid landscape. Much
of the year, the desert seems parched and dormant, but with adequate
rains, the desert bursts with life and vitality as the landscape is
cloaked with endlessly varied desert wildflowers. During these times of
relative abundance, park visitors may encounter the threatened desert
tortoise when they emerge from their burrows to feast on the
short-lived blooms.
Three-quarters of the park’s 794,000 acres
are designated wilderness, but the remains of past human activity,
including petroglyphs, Indian campsites, mines, ranches, and
homesteads, are preserved here as well. Today, the peace, solitude, and
starry night skies of Joshua Tree provide a welcome respite for harried
urban dwellers.
Joshua Tree Trivia
1. Once proposed to be
called Desert Plants National Park, Joshua Tree preserves more than 800
species of desert plants, many with unique adaptations for surviving
the harsh, arid conditions.
2. Joshua Tree has been a popular
destination for climbers since the 1950s and has approximately 6,000
named climbing routes for climbers of all abilities.
3.
Congress has designated approximately 75% of Joshua Tree as wilderness
in an effort to preserve opportunities for solitude, quiet and
scientific value.
4. Orchids in the desert? These rare flowers
and other unusual desert life thrive beside year-round pools of water,
created along an earthquake fault within the 49 Palms Oasis.
5.
As summer approaches, the Pinto Basin begins to pulsate with heat
waves. Temperatures can exceed 115 degrees F daily (46 C); yet life
persists against seemingly impossible odds.
6. Joshua Tree
National Park’s reputation for outstanding stargazing opportunities was
boosted when a Wally Pacholka image of 1997’s Comet Hale-Bopp was
selected by Time magazine as a Picture of the Century.
7.
Joshua trees rely on the female yucca moth for pollination; no other
animal visiting the flowers transfers the pollen necessary for seed
formation.
8. Desert tortoises, listed as threatened under the
Endangered Species Act, do not reach sexual maturity until age 20 and
can live 80 to 100 years.
Joshua Tree Attractions
1.
Plan a hike to Barker Dam, one of Joshua Tree National Park’s
historical and natural treasures. Historically significant for
cattlemen as a dependable water source, today Barker Dam is an
important watering hole for bighorn sheep, desert tortoises, and
migratory birds.
2. Take the scenic drive up to the Keys View
Overlook. The elevation here is 5,185 feet. You can trace the San
Andreas Fault as it makes its way through the Coachella Valley; see
Southern California’s highest peak, Mt. San Gorgonio, and follow the
Salton Sea down to Signal Mountain across the Mexican border.
3.
Join a ranger-led tour of the Desert Queen Ranch. This National
Register site is the former homestead and residence of William “Bill”
Keys and his family. The tour includes a ranch house, school, store,
workshop; the grounds are full of the cars, trucks, mining equipment
and spare parts.
4. See strange and picturesque rock
formations of Joshua Tree up close and personal on the rugged, yet easy
walk on the Hidden Valley Nature Trail.
5. See how plant and
animal life can flourish in the desert as you walk along the Cholla
Cactus Gardens Nature Trail. Life abounds here, amid the spiny thickets
of the jumping cholla.
6. Enjoy birdsong or glimpse a vibrant
humming bird among the shady palms of Cottonwood Spring. The scattered
remains of gold mining operations also make this an interesting, scenic
spot.
7. A demanding yet memorable hike through canyons and
washes leads 4 miles to the beautiful Lost Palms Oasis. With more than
110 California fan palms, it’s the park’s largest palm oasis. Set in a
deep canyon, the palm trees are sustained by an underground spring.
About the Author
Rick Chapo is with Nomad Journals - makers of outdoor writing journals. Visit NomadJournalTrips.com to read more.
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