My last trip to Joshua Tree National Park was in 1995. I was an enthusiastic climber and tent camper back then and spent every day doing nothing but climbing rocks. This trip would be very different. With kids in tow, camping in an RV and no plans to climb, I would actually get an opportunity to see the rest of the park.
left: A wind farm in route from Palm Desert to Joshua Tree.
The Park itself is the result of one woman’s passion back in the 1930’s. Minerva Hoyt, a community activist, work tirelessly to have the desert protected and because of her efforts it was established as a National Monument in 1936 and was re-established as a National Park in 1994.
above: A Joshua Tree.
The Park is named for one of it’s plants, the Joshua Tree. It actually isn’t a tree at all but a type of yucca plant but resembles more of a tree. They are very distinctive with branches curving wildly this way and that. They also only grow above 3000 ft. so the half of the park that lies in the Mojave Desert has Joshua Trees while the half that lies in the Colorado Desert below 3000 ft. does not.
We began our exploration of the park with a short hike out to Barker Dam. The small dam was built to hold water for cattle and for mining use. The day we were there it was completely dry. There were high water marks on the rocks but I wondered how much of the year it remained dry. It didn’t seem like a reliable water source for raising cattle.
right: The high water mark can be seen on the rocks but, the lake was dry.
left: A water trough for cattle.
There was another trail that led to some petroglyphs. Unfortunately, some of them had been painted over and it was difficult to determine which were the original art. Still, it makes one wonder what other people had made this place home.
We also drove by some of the favorite climbing areas and I oohed and aahed as I watched the climbers play on some of the most fun climbs I have ever done. It truly is a playground for climbers with easy scrambles, bouldering and a variety of climbs for everyone from beginners to advanced climbers. I longed for my climbing harness and shoes but then I remembered how out of shape I was and decided it was fortunate that I wouldn’t have an opportunity to climb.
The short hike gave us an introduction to the park and definitely left us wanting more. We would, over the next two days, see a lot more of what the park had to offer…..stay tuned.
“One time I saw a tiny Joshua tree sapling growing not too far from the old tree. I wanted to dig it up and replant it near our house. I told Mom that I would protect it from the wind and water it every day so that it could grow nice and tall and straight. Mom frowned at me. “You’d be destroying what makes it special,” she said. “It’s the Joshua tree’s struggle that gives it its beauty.” Jeannette Walls, The Glass Castle
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