Joshua Tree National Park, CA

Joshua Tree National Park exceeded my expectations. I had no idea it had so much to offer. I didn't expect the landscape to range from relatively flat desert to rolling hills and mountains. The plethora of rock formations and boulder piles were a wonder. And I thoroughly enjoyed encountering familiar and new desert plants.

Black Rock Canyon

I completed an 8.5-mile hike in the northwest corner of the national park near Yucca Valley. The sun hid behind the clouds for most of the time which made the temperatures very comfortable but also played havoc with my photography.

The trail had multiple features from crossing open territory scattered with desert plants to the canyon to rocky peaks and ridges.

Trail Heads Out

Panorama Loop Section of the Trail

The Joshua Trees took on many shapes and sizes. They seemed to grow individually and in clusters.

Western Joshua Tree

Many Crooked Limbs

Buds from a Joshua Tree

I climbed to two high points in the landscape, Warren Peak and Panorama Peak. The climbs to the top were both steep although the latter one was short enough that it wasn't too difficult.

Warren Peak

Trail Descends from Warren Peak

Yucca Valley
(viewed from Panorama Peak)

Trail Along Ridge of Little San Bernadino Mountains
(viewed from Panorama Peak)

I heard a lot of little birds throughout the hike although none stopped to pose for a photo. I was able to capture in my telephoto lens two other creatures with wings though.

Common Raven

Painted Lady Butterfly

I actually didn't see very much black rock so I'm not sure where the name of the canyon comes from. However, of the rocks that I did see, most of them had an intriguing mixture of colors and patterns.

Segmented Rock

Cool Design

While I was familiar with most of the species of plant life I encountered during the hike, I still found them interesting to look at.

California Juniper

Silver Cholla

Although I was in the desert of Southern California, it seemed that snow wasn't too far away.

San Gorgonio Mountain

Joshua Tree Northwest

The terrain noticeably changed as I headed southeast into the park. Here the valley was covered with countless Joshua Trees and boulder piles.

Joshua Trees

Boulder Piles

Hidden Valley

This was a small area encircled by gigantic monzogranite boulders.

Hidden Valley

Valley Floor

I only knew of one rock formation that had a given name.

Great Burrito

I came up with my own names for a couple of others.

Elephant Walking Away

Lyre

And there were many more who caught my eye for various reasons.

Stacked Together Like Record Albums

Stunning White

Legos

Spire

Keys View

This high point afforded views ranging from the south to the west of the national park. You can see the San Andreas Fault, Coachella Valley, Palm Springs and San Jacinto Peak in the photo. The haze was too thick for good shots of to San Gorgonio Mountain and the Salton Sea.

San Andreas Fault (ridge on the valley floor)
San Jacinto Peak (high point in the background)
Coachella Valley and Palm Springs (in between)

Cap Rock

This was an interesting rock formation next to one of the park's roads. The little rock seems to defy gravity.

Cap Rock

Ryan Mountain

I intended to climb to the summit but stopped partway into the steep ascent as my legs told me they were overdue for a rest. Here are a few photos of rock formations near the mountain's base.

Huge Rock

Erosion Marks in the Smooth Surface

Put Together Like a Puzzle

Skull Rock

Because of its unique shape and easy access, Skull Rock was a popular attraction.

Skull Rock

Face-to-Face

But once I left its proximity, the trail was uncrowded and equally as entertaining. I enjoyed walking among boulder piles and sand washes.

Glued Together

All Shapes and Sizes

At several points, I gained views of a broader perspective and context.

Nature's Playground

Rocks & Plants Comingle

Park Blvd

During the hike, I saw creatures both real and mythical.

California Scrub Jay

Dragon Cloud

Lost Palms Oasis

My last stop was in the southern section of the park where I hiked between two palm tree groves that grew just under four miles apart.

I started at Cottonwood Spring which served as a water source for countless generations of American Indians as well as miners in the late 19th century.

Cottonwood Spring

Within the rolling terrain, I alternated between hiking down in dry washes and up over ridgelines and enjoyed immersing myself in the desert environment.

Rocky Defile

Line of Jagged Battlements

A Seemingly Haphazard Gathering of Rocks

The oasis lay in a low gully beyond the turnaround point and off trail. I chose not to scramble my way down (and later back up) to see the palm trees up close.