25-February-2024 Joshua Tree National Park

The only thing better than going to a National Park is going to a National Park with a friend!

Katy and I left Palm Springs Sunday morning and drove about one hour to the south east entrance of Joshua Tree NP and we spent the entire day exploring the park. First we did a 3+ mile hike to the top of a rock formation – couldn't find the trail beyond the summit (why are trails always so poorly marked in national parks???) and bushwhacked our way in the right general direction until we found the main trail again. We headed up the road and saw a cool cactus garden, heart rock, arch rock, skull rock, and then finally got into the area of the park that was full of Joshua Trees. When we were looking for arch rock we got lost again (really not kidding about how bad the trail markings are!) and found what we thought was arch rock but it was a mini version of it – then we had to squeeze our way through and find our way back and that's when we found the real rock arch. Getting lost was probably more fun than having found our destination right off.

The Joshua trees are interesting – they look like trees but are actually cacti with funky spikes instead of leaves. Did a final 1-mile hike in Hidden Valley, a large "ring of rocks" within which cattle rustlers would hide stolen cattle.

We exited the park in the north west corner and got back to Palm Springs just in time for a quick change before our 6:45 PM dinner. Had a great meal at an Italian restaurant where we were able to sit outside by a fountain – love the fact that it's 70° in the evenings and we are able to eat all our meals outside.