Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park: A True Getaway By Jessica Bose Most city-grown Californians will tell you two things about Los Angeles. First off, they will speak about the glamorous city and it’s diversity with the wondrous opportunities it brings to their careers. Secondly, they will complain about trash on the sidewalks, the smell of urine in the ally, and the amount of time it takes them to get from point A to point B on the congested interstate 605. “I wish I could just get some dang peace and quiet,” residents will admit. There’s a place not far from the lively city of L.A. that “peace and quiet” can be achieved. Though tourists wish to visit the city for it’s upbeat atmosphere and the worldrenowned goal of spotting a celebrity on the sidewalk outside of a fashion boutique, Joshua Tree National Park is true getaway.
Cholla Cacti Sunrise, Image courtesy of Phillip Colla
You may be questioning the recommendation to embark on a 2 hour side-trip to inland California, but fingers crossed, you will stop questioning this endorsement the
moment you release your breath after a day hike alongside the signature yucca trees, cholla cacti, and astounding desert tortoises. When the sun digresses and twilight sets in, you’ll be awed at the first glimpse of a star cloud expelling itself into hundreds of smaller celestial bodies right in the center of the galaxy. Joshua Tree may lack Access Hollywood celebs like Ben Affleck and Kim Kardashian, but Joshua Tree offers wide open territory and serenity beneath the actual orbiting stars.
Image courtesy of Phillip Colla
Just 140 miles east of Los Angeles you will find Joshua Tree National Park, a desert wilderness that occupies 794,000 acres of geological and botanical scenery. Joshua Tree offers activities such as hiking, camping, rock climbing, horseback riding, and stargazing. With that being said, this park is made for travelers who can call themselves nature spirits (aka: lovers of the beautiful, great outdoors and all the adventure it has to offer).
You may have missed the use of the word “wilderness”. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines wilderness as, “a tract or region uncultivated and uninhabited by human beings.” Essentially, this means that visitors will find a lack of facilities to grab a bite to eat. Rather, Joshua Tree encourages a clean outdoor meal at one of their eight picnic areas. Of course, it’s still possible to dine with class on a woven blanket set atop a white oak picnic bench carefully arranged with white wine glasses and urban flatware (picnic baskets these days have sensational features). In addition to dining, it’s necessary to mention that overnight stays in Joshua Tree will solely consist of a tent, sleeping bag, and a campfire. While nearby communities are happy to provide motel rooms for Joshua Tree visitors, there’s really no better experience than roasting marshmallows over a bright orange campfire with flames flickering and dancing in the frigid breeze. Underneath the star speckled sky with cricket chirps echoing in your ears and yucca silhouettes outlining the surrounding landscape, there are no car horns, police sirens, or club tunes that can be heard from two blocks away. The outdoors is a marvelous escape, so why go back to a mile high hotel room when you could stay the night on the surface of the earth?
Image courtesy of Nate2b on Flickr
In the morning, campers will rise with the sun, snap on hiking gear, and set out for an exploration. Joshua Tree offers a long list of day hikes and nature walks for visitors to get a first look at the desert’s geological patterns and wildlife. Below is a list of popular day hikes offered at Joshua Tree. Detailed maps of these hikes may be found at www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/hiking.htm. Also, the visitor center at Joshua Tree can supply visitors with information on the rock formations and species that hikers may encounter on their journey.
Photo courtesy of Robb Hannawacker of National Park Service
Popular Day Hike Trails at Joshua Tree National Park 49 Palms Oasis A moderately strenuous 3-mile hike with 300ft elevation gain through an oasis of palms and pools of water. Mastodon Peak A strenuous 3-mile hike with 3,371 elevation gain with views of the Eagle Mountains and Salton Sea.
Lost Horse Mine & Mountain A moderately strenuous 4-mile hike with 5,278-foot elevation gain.
Ryan Mountain A strenuous 4-mile hike with 5,461foot elevation gain with views of Los Horse, Queen, and Pleasant Valleys.
Los Palms Oasis A moderate 7.2-mile hike through Victory Palms and Munsen Canyon
Now is the perfect time to make a true getaway from your busy work life. Pack a bag and equipment a picnic basket with nourishment, turn off your cell phone, and appreciate the company of the great outdoors. An unknown author once said, “Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, and sometimes in the middle of nowhere, you find yourself.”
Works Cited Colla, Phillip. "Joshua Tree National Park Photography." Ocean Light. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2015.
"Joshua Tree National Park." National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior, 02 Apr. 2015. Web. 18 Apr. 2015.
Nate2b. "Under the Stars." Flickr. Yahoo!, 03 July 2012. Web. 18 Apr. 2015.
Cholla Cacti Sunrise, Image courtesy of Phillip Colla
You may be questioning the recommendation to embark on a 2 hour side-trip to inland California, but fingers crossed, you will stop questioning this endorsement the
moment you release your breath after a day hike alongside the signature yucca trees, cholla cacti, and astounding desert tortoises. When the sun digresses and twilight sets in, you’ll be awed at the first glimpse of a star cloud expelling itself into hundreds of smaller celestial bodies right in the center of the galaxy. Joshua Tree may lack Access Hollywood celebs like Ben Affleck and Kim Kardashian, but Joshua Tree offers wide open territory and serenity beneath the actual orbiting stars.
Image courtesy of Phillip Colla
Just 140 miles east of Los Angeles you will find Joshua Tree National Park, a desert wilderness that occupies 794,000 acres of geological and botanical scenery. Joshua Tree offers activities such as hiking, camping, rock climbing, horseback riding, and stargazing. With that being said, this park is made for travelers who can call themselves nature spirits (aka: lovers of the beautiful, great outdoors and all the adventure it has to offer).
You may have missed the use of the word “wilderness”. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines wilderness as, “a tract or region uncultivated and uninhabited by human beings.” Essentially, this means that visitors will find a lack of facilities to grab a bite to eat. Rather, Joshua Tree encourages a clean outdoor meal at one of their eight picnic areas. Of course, it’s still possible to dine with class on a woven blanket set atop a white oak picnic bench carefully arranged with white wine glasses and urban flatware (picnic baskets these days have sensational features). In addition to dining, it’s necessary to mention that overnight stays in Joshua Tree will solely consist of a tent, sleeping bag, and a campfire. While nearby communities are happy to provide motel rooms for Joshua Tree visitors, there’s really no better experience than roasting marshmallows over a bright orange campfire with flames flickering and dancing in the frigid breeze. Underneath the star speckled sky with cricket chirps echoing in your ears and yucca silhouettes outlining the surrounding landscape, there are no car horns, police sirens, or club tunes that can be heard from two blocks away. The outdoors is a marvelous escape, so why go back to a mile high hotel room when you could stay the night on the surface of the earth?
Image courtesy of Nate2b on Flickr
In the morning, campers will rise with the sun, snap on hiking gear, and set out for an exploration. Joshua Tree offers a long list of day hikes and nature walks for visitors to get a first look at the desert’s geological patterns and wildlife. Below is a list of popular day hikes offered at Joshua Tree. Detailed maps of these hikes may be found at www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/hiking.htm. Also, the visitor center at Joshua Tree can supply visitors with information on the rock formations and species that hikers may encounter on their journey.
Photo courtesy of Robb Hannawacker of National Park Service
Popular Day Hike Trails at Joshua Tree National Park 49 Palms Oasis A moderately strenuous 3-mile hike with 300ft elevation gain through an oasis of palms and pools of water. Mastodon Peak A strenuous 3-mile hike with 3,371 elevation gain with views of the Eagle Mountains and Salton Sea.
Lost Horse Mine & Mountain A moderately strenuous 4-mile hike with 5,278-foot elevation gain.
Ryan Mountain A strenuous 4-mile hike with 5,461foot elevation gain with views of Los Horse, Queen, and Pleasant Valleys.
Los Palms Oasis A moderate 7.2-mile hike through Victory Palms and Munsen Canyon
Now is the perfect time to make a true getaway from your busy work life. Pack a bag and equipment a picnic basket with nourishment, turn off your cell phone, and appreciate the company of the great outdoors. An unknown author once said, “Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, and sometimes in the middle of nowhere, you find yourself.”
Works Cited Colla, Phillip. "Joshua Tree National Park Photography." Ocean Light. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2015.
"Joshua Tree National Park." National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior, 02 Apr. 2015. Web. 18 Apr. 2015.
Nate2b. "Under the Stars." Flickr. Yahoo!, 03 July 2012. Web. 18 Apr. 2015.
