California Desert Adventure – December 2018

Posted on by Susan

Our family of four joined many other visitors at Joshua Tree National Park for three days after Christmas. We walked along a few of the 191 miles of hiking trails, watched sunsets from viewpoints, observed many rock climbers ascend vertical rock faces, and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. The kids also climbed to the top of several tall boulder piles. We stayed at a house in Twentynine Palms instead of sleeping in tents in the nearly-full campgrounds in the park. We appreciated the hot water and comfortable beds at the house during the unusually cold December weather. 

  • Traditional photo when we visit national parks
  • Pristine desert landscape on a chilly, clear December day
  • Stand (or lean) like a tree
  • Expired cactus
  • Cholla cactus
  • Hidden Valley
  • King of the rock pile
  • Sunset at Keys View
  • A different perspective of Keys View
  • More beauty at Keys View

Our visit to this national park of almost 800,000 acres coincided with the second week of the federal government shut down. Fortunately volunteers from the towns of Twentynine Palms and Joshua Tree kept the bathrooms (with vault toilets) clean and supplied with toilet paper while we were there. And a local trash service emptied the dumpsters. We did see a few thoughtless visitors taking their dogs into restricted areas. And several tourists ignored signs identifying closed areas due to soil contamination. After our short trip, we read news articles that subsequent visitors became progressively more careless and unlawful in this beautiful national park. Very sad.

  • Sign ignored by several park tourists
  • Arch Rock
  • Split Rock Trail
  • At Cap Rock Trailhead wishing we had long legs like this
  • Cholla Cactus Garden
  • Top of the rock along Split Rock Trail
  • We can never have too any photos of national park entrance signs . . .
  • . . . especially when Mom and Dad are in the picture!