Visiting a quieter Joshua Tree
By: Kevin Ausmus
The vast ecological wonderland known as Joshua Tree is a camper’s delight anytime of the year, but in winter the crowds taper a bit, giving visitors more elbow room to pursue whatever activity is their pleasure, be it climbing, backpacking, stargazing, birding, or exploring Native American pictographs. Some recommendations: Survey the preserved ruins of Keys Ranch, then trek down to Hidden Valley to see where rustlers used to hide the cattle they stole from Keys, finally hightail it to Headstone Rock, where the rustlers met their end. Nature hiking brings you closer to Cholla cactus, Mojave yuccas (watch out for the tiny “wait-a-minute” bushes, you’ll know why when you step on one) and over 250 species of birds, including in winter, the white-crowned sparrow, the cedar waxwing and the American robin. Take the Willow Hole trail to the monolithic Wonderland of Rocks, and try to imagine meeting up with one of the “Little People” rumored to live amongst the monzogranite boulders. There are some caveats to bear in mind, the most crucial being the total absence of water in the park, so make sure you bring plenty of it yourself. Most of the campgrounds, like Indian Cove and Jumbo Rocks, are first-come, first-serve, but groups of six or more need to make reservations for the group campsite. (Kevin Ausmus)
For more information on Joshua Tree National Park, visit http://www.nps.gov/jotr/
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