An Unusual Adventure; Joshua Tree National Park and Mount San Jacinto
What an incredible experience Joshua Tree National Park turned out to be! My partner and I had always dreamt of visiting the national parks, but it seemed like a distant goal with two kids at home. However, I was ecstatic to have the opportunity to spend a day here while visiting family. I was so pumped that I had practically the entire day planned in advance! The only thing we missed out on was the Water Mill Hike, as my partner didn't take my advice seriously about bringing extra water!
Before I delve into the day's events, here are some tips if you plan on visiting:
- BRING PLENTY OF WATER— I suggest at least 1 liter per hour you plan to spend outside.
- Pack a lunch— There are no food or water vendors once you're inside the park. There are plenty of picnic areas, so bring something delicious.
- If you only have one day, get there early and make the most of your time.
Alright, now let's get back to our adventures. What did we do?
First, we arrived early and tackled Ryan Mountain! Ryan Mountain is a 3-mile out-and-back trail with an elevation gain of 1,062 feet. The views from the top were stunning, but looking back, I would have chosen a different hike. Not that this hike was bad, but the views were similar to Keys Views (and we only had one day). Instead, I would have opted for the Abandoned Mine Trail—a 5-mile loop that would have taken us to the site of an abandoned mine we could explore!
Second, we visited Keys View. This wasn't a hike, but it provided picturesque panoramic views of the entire Coachella Valley.
Third, from Keys View, we ventured to the Hidden Valley Nature Trail. This easy 1-mile loop featured minimal elevation gain. It's an incredibly popular rock climbing destination nestled on the edge of two deserts.
Note: At this point, my partner decided to call it a day. She wasn't up for the fourth stop.
Fourth, I made my way to Barker Dam. This trail also offered minimal elevation gain, and it showcased an old farming dam and Native American rock carvings—truly awesome!
Five! We packed up and decided to drive through the southern side of the park to witness the changing landscapes. This included a visit to the unique Cactus Garden.
Considering how successful our trip to Joshua Tree was, why not try something else? And that's how we ended up at Mount San Jacinto.
Mount San Jacinto reaches an elevation of 10,834 feet and is located in Palm Springs. However, let's be honest—we weren't prepared for the 10+ hour journey to hike the entire mountain. Instead, we opted to take the tram up to the state park, which stands at around 8,500 feet.
The tram ride was incredible, but we didn't stop there. Once on the mountain, we decided to embark on a trail called the Desert View Trail.
This trail was perfect for the gear we had. It was a 2-mile loop with an elevation gain of about 300 feet. Along the trail, we encountered five cliff ledges (and signs warning of mountain lions), each offering a distinct view of the desert that took our breath away.
If we ever find ourselves back in Palm Springs, we would definitely revisit Mount San Jacinto. Perhaps we won't hike all the way to the peak from the base, but we would certainly hike to the peak from the tram!
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