Scoping out Joshua Tree National Park on Saturday turned out to be a good idea as rainy weather approached along with cooler temperatures in the park over a busy weekend.
I left the Salton Sea Friday morning and met friends for breakfast in Indio. Shopped and then headed to the Joshua Tree National Park west entrance. Didn’t actually go into the park until the following day. Instead took advantage of the free 14-day limit BLM land that runs adjacent to the park boundary. Barely within sight of I10 and couldn’t hear the traffic. Surprisingly good signal and fast internet. Scrubby creosote bushes and a few Palo Verde trees along a good gravel road.
I didn’t want to deal with weekend visitors to the park so planned to stay here until Monday. Also knew a storm was approaching out of the west bringing wind, rain and a drop in temperature that could last through the weekend. So I really wanted to find a place to hunker in.
Hope I see these on more than a sign
Saturday morning I drove the 6.5 miles to Cottonwood Visitor Center to pick up my park paper work, map, list of Ranger programs and a Junior Ranger book. Luckily their bookstore also sold the California Benchmark map/atlas which I’ve been looking for since starting my wanderings in December. All campgrounds in the park except Cottonwood were already full and that one filling rapidly.
Chatted with a Ranger who had two solar scopes set up and works summers at the South Rim of Grand Canyon.
Wind started to pick up and instead of wasting fuel driving further into the park I headed back to my BLM camp utilizing the pullouts for some photo ops. My plan is to stay at White Tank campground for several days however it is located at 3800’ so I already know it will be cooler than I’d like.
Returned to the BLM and found a delightful camp complete with landscaping. Pointed the truck into the wind and prepared to hunker down.
No rain until Sunday morning, and then all day and night a gentle female rain fell that the desert so loves. Kept me inside on the computer and dressed in an extra layer as it never broke 50. Hey, that’s cold to me.
Monday morning the clouds hung low over the mountains with blue trying above.
When the sun broke through that was my cue to head into the park. I’ve been told there is absolutely no signal there. Guess that will give me more time to hike amongst the boulders and take lots of photos. If I’m seen shaking it’s probably because of internet withdrawal. But detox doesn’t last long when I connect to nature.
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I give this BLM camp a good rating for convenience to the west entrance of Joshua Tree National Park. Water District Road—seen in the above photo from my camper—was busy with maintenance vehicles all day and into the night. Don’t know what they were doing. Wouldn’t want to be here during very heavy rain due to a possible wash out of the levee along an aqueduct that held no water while I was here. Internet and cell signal were good but I lost that upon entering the park which is surrounded by mountains. Not crowded and I see all sizes of RVs. Highly recommend especially if park campgrounds are full.
Love those sky shots!
Thanks Cindy.
My layers don’t start coming off until at least the low 60’s. I feel your chill.
It was in the low 40s over night in Joshua Tree. I slept with the layers. 🙂
Didn’t you love all the clouds the next day? Gorgeous! I’m like you….I get cold if it is below 80! Go figure…and my ancestors were Vikings (…shaking head…)
Cheryl Ann 🙂
Oh yea, the clouds were marvelous and added a lot to the photos in Joshua Tree. But over night was in the low 40s.
Hi Gaelyn
As always your photos really make me want to go where you have been. Have never stopped at Joshua Tree while making hundreds of trips south on the 10. Just came back from Congress AZ and saw a tremendous amout of mistle toe in the trees along the way.
Took a girlfriend to visit her folks who are wintering at North Ranch Escapee park.
I feel in love with the area, especially Wickenburg. Very busy that weekend with GoldRush days and Senior Pro Rodeo.
Didnt get up the hill to Yarnell. Something to save for the nxt trip. Lots of fun thrift and antique stores and I added a beautiful turqoiuise ring to my hand.
Via Con Dios.
Ro
You really should stop in Joshua Tree, either a drive through or camp. So worth several days to explore. Sadly, there is mistletoe everywhere.
I’ll bet Wickenburg was crowded. Haven’t been to Gold Rush Days in a few years, but always lots to see.
You’ll have to visit Yarnell one of these days. Do let me know and if I’m around I’ll give you the royal tour. Takes about an hour.
Have fun in Joshua Tree – I can’t believe I’ve never visited there. The sky and landscape are so vast and scenic. Take Care and stay safe.
Joshua Tree is a must see park. I’m loving the landscapes. But it was down in the low 40s last night. You know me. Brrrr……
Your first two pictures of the skies and the storm coming are fabulous. I love the one too of your camper parked into the wind in what looks like a wonderful site. Joshua Tree is a place I really want to go. How neat that you met a fellow Grand Canyon Ranger there. Small world isn’t it?
Thanks Sherry. The rain was delightful, the wind not so much. Whenever I visit a National Park and get to talking to Rangers there’s almost always a connection with someone. Like, “Oh you worked there. Did you know so-in-so?” The Park Service is a family.
I’ve wanted to go to Joshua Tree and take pictures for some time. I guess that I can live without a cell signal for a little while.
I’m loving reading about your travels in your camper.
Well, get your butt out here. But I don’t recommend the middle of summer heat. Thanks for coming along on this fun camping journey.
Just beautiful! Haven’t been in years and enjoying thru your eyes/lens. Chilly here in Tucson, but the clouds and mountains are beautiful and green!
JT is breathtaking. Very cold at night and chilly wind during the day.
Wonderful!!! – – What a great trip you are on, and all of us right next to you – – Must get crowded – – Love the photos –
Clear as tho I was right there. Thank you for taking us along – – when is dinner?
B
Thanks for coming along, virtually, because the camper is small. Dinner is when you’re hungry. See you soon.
Some stunning landscape and clouds pictures. It must be fun visiting a National Park like this and taking part in the programs without having to work yourself. Perhaps even pick up an idea or two.
Thanks Jonker. I went on a little walk this morning with a Ranger and learned a lot about the geology here. Best compliment as a Ranger is when someone steals your stuff. 😉
That second photo of the storm approaching is just gorgeous! I could almost feel it moving forward through the sky. Lovely!
Thanks Patti. The sky speaks to us, if we listen.
JTNP is on my bucket list. Lots of hiking adventures as far as I can tell. Great photo ops.
JT is awesome. Was hoping to visit this week but alas not going to happen. Should be on your list. Definitely a lot of photo ops.