I grew up watching Looney Tunes, from Warner Bros., and the road runner was one of those smart characters that that has two words for you “Beep, beep”, 
but always a step ahead of Wile E, the coyote. Well, today I hope to see the real road runner. That is native to Joshua Tree National Park.
Bring water, sunscreen, packed food or snack. There is absolutely no store or anything that sells, inside the park. If you plan to camp, when the camping sites open (it was closed when we went due to pandemic), bring all the necessities you may need. As always, keep hard copies or screenshots of permits, reservations, maps and other important documents. Little to NONE – communication service in the park.
The meeting of two deserts- the Mojave and The Colorado deserts. Joshua Tree National Park, is in the the southeastern parts of California, near Palm Springs. It’s named for its Joshua Trees (Yucca brevifolia), native to Mojave side of the two meeting deserts. The park is home to unique boulder formations and stand out desert landscapes. The higher elevation, cooler, Mojave, has the boulders and the Joshua trees to boast of, while the lower Colorado balances the sight with cactus-dotted expanse. I had no inkling that i am headed to a magical desolation.
How to get to Joshua Tree National Park
Dec 18, 2020, me and hubby, drove 1 hr and 20 minutes from Moreno Valley to Joshua Tree Visitor Center. Type in Joshua Tree Visitor Centre in your Map, (address: 6554 Park Blvd, Joshua Tree, CA 92252); it will get you there. This was our first time visiting this Dr. Seuss feel kind of park.
The visitor center has a small museum which was close temporarily due to pandemic, but the little souvenir store was open. Drive for another 4 miles to the gate via Park Ave that will become Quail Springs Road. Pay the entrance fee $35/car or show your annual pass. There are lots or air bnb around the area, and a pet board/hotel (Joshua Tree Pet Resort), just before west gate entrance. Here’s a short clip to that trip- https://youtu.be/vvDccFZj-8g
- West Entrance: Coming from Palm Springs or on I-10, exit on CA Hwy 62 east and turn south onto Park Boulevard at Joshua Tree Village.
- North Entrance: Three miles south of the town of Twentynine Palms and CA Hwy 6.
- South Entrance: Exit 168 from I-10 east of Indio.
Joshua Trees and Hidden Valley Trail
Joshua Trees abound as you enter the gate. This was our first time to actually see what a Joshua Tree looks like. There were signage throughout the road for notable spots, they call exhibition. From the western gate, we stopped by on the climbing boulders trail then continued to picnic area (Quail Springs Picnic Area). Took a few pictures there and continued to Park Blvd. We made a right turn to hike the Hidden Valley Nature Trail . It’s an easy, 1-mile loop, well marked, beautiful trail. Here’s the video link- https://youtu.be/8DCOh7EPej0
It took us a little over an hour to complete the loop. Just in time for a packed lunch. Just cross the trail head and there’s the picnic area. We chose one that’s under a shade next to a boulder. Good luck finding some Big Horn Sheep, they say lurks in the valley. Pictures show, they usually are on top of the rocks and boulders. I did not spot any but i did see a blue bird playing around and eventually flew to a tree.
To Skull Rock/ Jumbo Rocks
After lunch, we continued driving on Park Blvd, for about 40 minutes, to Skull Rock, with a short stop at Jumbo Rock Campgrounds. Skull Rock, as the name suggest resembles a skull. You can see it from the road. Most people just park by the roadside, walk to the rock, take photos and leave. Others prefer to hike the Skull Rock Trail. Trail head is across the Skull Rock itself. It’s an easy 1.8 mile loop trail of crazy rock mazes with spectacular washes.
We walked to the Jumbo Rocks to the right from Skull Road, which was about half a mile. Scrambled through the giant monzogranite boulders, looking at a vantage point of the environment. Once we had enough of the rocks, it’s time for some adorable Teddy Bear Cactus, not the huggable kind of teddy, mind you.
Cholla Cactus Garden
We drove another 20 minutes to the Cholla Cactus garden towards the Pinto Basin Road. It is in the midst of upper Colorado and lower Mojave Deserts, viewable from the Pinto Basin Road. We took the short trail board walk within this prickly cuteness.
They are also nicknamed ‘jumping cactus’ for a reason. The branches of these unique plants grow in cylindrical joints that easily detach, or jump, from the main plant when spines hook into some unlucky flesh. This may sound vile, but this is actually how they propagate. Its soft, fuzzy appearance, however inviting to touch, are the most tenacious and painful when they attach their thin needles unto you, hence the emergency kit that included tweezers, we saw at the start of the trail head.
Be Aware of the jumping cactus and swarm of bees
Also, noted at the trail head is a warning for swarm of bees, which apparently haunts the area seasonally. We did not encounter any. Anyhow, these warnings did nothing to stop me from running around them cholla, and taking tons of photos.
As menacing as they sound, they are actually quite beautiful. Depending on the time of the day, these chollas glow a gorgeous golden color. It was mid afternoon, the sun was high and a bit harsh to the skin, but with the right angle and luck with camera settings, these cacti will make you oblivious to the dangers of their spines . After finishing the short loop, I crossed to the other side, which also is riddled with cacti as far as your eyes can see.
High Desert Motel- Joshua Tree
After the enchanting encounter with the soft and fuzzy, we drove to High Desert Motel at Twenty Nine Palms Hi-Way via Park Blvd, for 40 min. Speed limit inside the park is 35 miles/hr. High Desert Motel is 5 minutes away from the Joshua Tree Visitor Center, along the hi-way. The motel’s decent. Simple furniture, with fridge and microwave. Plus, since we booked so late, we were lucky enough, there was even a vacancy. They require 100$ deposit which will be reimbursed once you check out. However, if you plan ahead, there are plenty of unique Air BNB within Joshua Tree.
Most of the restaurants around were open for pick up or delivery only. We ordered from Joshua Tree Saloon, picked up our grilled steak, swiss and mushroom burger, fish and chips and the yummy lava cake. It was low 30’s, restaurants were closed, there was really nothing much to do, we enjoyed our wine and called it a night.
Day 2- Dec 19, Saturday
The plan for the next day was to wake up early to catch sunrise. However, as cold as it is, we dragged until about 0600 hrs, too late for sunrise gazing. We reached the park, taking the Twenty Nine Palms Hi-way through the Oasis Visitor Centre, @0630hrs. Drove through Utah Trail Rd. for another 30 min, passing Twin Tanks Campground, (this is where the new trail for The Arch Rock is located), however we continued driving for another mile to White Tank Campgrounds. We had to park on the road side, since all campground were closed.
Hiking the Arch Rock from White Tank Campground
Time to hike and find The Arch Rock. From the hi-way, walk towards the campground, find site number 9, the trail head starts from there. It ‘s about half a mile through boulders to the arch rock. Stones and signage guides you to the rock. If you want to take the longer trail, start from Twin Tanks Campground parking. You have to walk about a mile and cross the hi way to the other side and walk another 1 mile to the Arch Rock. https://youtu.be/nSv3OXbdcXQ
Arch Rock Nature Trail is one of the popular hikes in Joshua Tree. Start early to avoid the crowd. Marvel at the desert foliage, and local species, (maybe you’ll spot a road runner), watch sunrise hit the crazy rock formations you’ll find along the way. Squeeze yourself to fit the narrow monzogranite alley, have fun scrambling over these rocks that have surfaced from a molten lava. They are considered the final product of magma.
Finding the Heart Rock- Hidden gem
Once you finished enjoying the Arch Rock, try finding the hidden gem- The Heart Rock. As the name implies, its a rock that’s shaped resembling a heart. It about another 30- minute hike in a wash between the boulders, to the left of the arch when you are looking at it from the hi-way. I say, it’s a hidden gem, because there is no discernable trail. And not much info is shared in the internet. Some videos i found were about not finding it at all or finding after a few tries. However, once you veer to the left and look at the vantage point, you might just spot it. Here’s the link to finding the Heart Rock in Joshua Tree NPS. https://youtu.be/4aQ-QV2w4TY
We spent about 3 hours for the Arch and Heart Rock Hike. We drove 30 minutes back to Hidden Valley Picnic Area, for a brunch after. It was a Saturday, I was surprised to see, lots of cars parked, hikers abound and rock climbing enthusiasts flock the area. Ate our brunch under a tree, next to a boulder on 40’s deg F temperature. We did not take our time eating, cold weather doesn’t allow you to be still. Headed home by noon, saw climbers scattered on different boulders like spiders. It was a magical weekend. I say, a definite recommendation to visit.
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