Death is beautiful and crucial for survival and rebirth in Joshua Tree National Park. Suiting to spend New Year’s Eve into New Year's in the desert.
Dehydration is everywhere. All life is fighting death. It’s in the sand, the rock mountains, the yellow straw grass shooting up haphazardly, the black twisting twigs, and the fifteen distinct species of cacti. With an average of four to six inches of rain annually, the desert is straining to quench its thirst. Yet, somehow, new life arises among the dehydrated with the will to survive.
The trunk of the Joshua Tree, a symbol of resilience and rebirth in the harsh desert, is formed through a cycle of life, death, and renewal. Initially, the tree sprouts from a hardy seed, a bright green color amongst the barren landscape. As it grows, its trunk thickens, built upon the remains of its older, perished leaves. These brown-grey leaves form a protective skirt around the tree's base, safeguarding the living core from the desert's extremities. The Joshua tree's pointed, spikey, sharp leaves serve a protective function, helping to deter herbivores and minimize water loss in the harsh desert environment.
CHOLLA CACTUS GARDEN was MK's favorite spot in the park. We visited twice for photo opportunities. And from a photographer's point of view, either before 10 am or a couple hours before sunset are the best photo opportunities. She describes a halo of glowing light around the crown of each cactus during the golden hour.
A quarter-mile loop trail allows visitors to walk through the garden safely and experience this unique environment up close. You don’t have to pull into the main parking lot for this trail. You can park along either side of the road and walk to the trail. We avoided the crowds altogether and created our path through the garden. However, be careful not to get too close to the cacti. The Cholla cactus segments are covered in a dense array of barbed spines, making them easy to attach to clothing and skin. When a person brushes against these cacti, even lightly, the spines can detach and stick to them. This has given rise to the nickname "jumping cholla."
RYAN MOUNTAIN was a physically challenging hike well worth the scenic rewards. The trail is a 3-mile round trip with an elevation gain of about 1,050 feet. It's a steady uphill climb and consists primarily of steps and switchbacks. It's straightforward to follow but can be demanding physically. The trail offers expansive views as you climb, and the 360-degree panoramic view from the summit is particularly stunning.
Because this is a popular hike, it's best to go early or late afternoon. And if you want to get away from the people on the trail, you can pick any spot with a view and climb up the rock formations like MK and I did. We were high above all the hikers and tucked away, which created our own private space.
BARKER DAM is the first place MK wanted to visit as a photographer. She looked forward to getting a picture with water against the desert background. It turns out that there hasn’t been water in the dam since February 2023, and it fills up according to rainfall. So, while crowded, this was an excellent introduction to the park. The parking lot was blocked by a sign that read FULL. However, the lot was wide open since we arrived before 10 am.
The hike to Barker Dam is an easy and family-friendly trail. It's about 1.3 miles round trip. We were immersed in a desert landscape surrounded by unique rock formations and an empty dam. Along the trail, we snapped photos of Joshua trees and climbed on boulders. We saw some birds and only signs of desert rodents. We didn’t see any reptiles or insects and were quite pleased with this. The trail is also known for its petroglyphs and is famous for its scenic views and photographic opportunities.
AVOID THE CROWDS, SKIP Arch Rock, and Skull Rock. These are overcrowded tourist traps, and if you want a more private adventure, there are countless Monzogranite rock formations throughout the 1200 square miles of National Park. You can find a rock formation you find intriguing and park your car along the side of the road. It’s fun to create your path through the desert. Each formation holds a unique adventure in its playground. You don’t have to be a professional hiker to play on the rocks and enjoy the stunning views from the top. Even MK, afraid of heights, only required a little encouragement and an outstretched hand to get to the top of several formations. Looking over the vast desert is breathtaking.
SUN RISES – MK and I were fortunate to watch the sunrise from our Airbnb, where the host had two chairs set for such an occasion. And because they were not until 7 am, we could see them every morning. As the sun rose, the warmth from its rays across our faces was a nice contrast to the crisp, cool desert air of the morning. This serene moment is heightened by the soft pastel hues turning into a bright orange and hot pink painting the sky. This is my idea of a great morning.
SUNSETS in the park are spectacular. The expansive desert sky offers an unobstructed, vibrant view. The desert landscape glows with the warm light of the setting sun. Orange, pink, purple, red, and yellow hues paint the horizon and play off the iconic Joshua Trees and rock formations. You DO NOT need to go to the overpopularized Keys View to see the sunset. We headed up to this point and instead were greeted with a LONG line of cars on a weekday. So, we headed back down to Park Boulevard, pulled off along the side of the road, and were soothed by the gradual fading of the day—an artistic and spiritual inspiration.
STARGAZING When light pollution disappears, the night sky comes alive with twinkling stars. I felt connected to an indescribable vastness and was humbled by this awe-inspiring experience. Joshua Trees' remote location was the perfect place to be. We only needed two chairs and could pull over anywhere inside the park for nature's cosmos display. We read to pack red flashlights so our eyes wouldn’t have to adjust, but they weren’t needed. Our eyes changed very quickly once we turned the car lights off. Or if you get there as the sun sets and set up a place with chairs off the side of the road, your eyes will adjust naturally.
EXTRA TIPS:
1. IF YOU WANT TO AVOID CROWDS inside the park, VISIT EARLY MORNING OR WEEKDAYS
2. Currently, the Annual National Parks Pass is $80. It provides access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites in the US. If you have this pass ahead of time, you can enter the park without waiting in line to pay for your $ 30-day pass.
3. THERE IS NO CELL SERVICE inside the park, so DOWNLOAD a map of Joshua Tree from Google Maps before heading in.
4. NO WATER OR FOOD is inside the park, so BYO.
5. ALWAYS FIND PARKING: Avoid crowded parking lots and park alongside the road.
Have you ventured through Joshua Tree National Park? We'd love to hear your stories. Share your unforgettable moments, from the hikes to the sunsets in the comments below.
Xoxo