JOSHUA TREE // JANUARY 2022

Joshua Tree National Park wasn’t necessarily on my travel list, but since it’s so close to Palm Springs, I thought I’d give it a visit. Turns out, as so many people already know, this is a beautiful area full of biodiversity and stunning hikes. So glad to have spent a day here – two days would have been even better!

CHOLLA CACTUS GARDEN

Waking up early in the morning is NOT my favorite. But, the Cholla Cactus Garden was worth it. If you want to do this, make sure to get to Joshua Tree well before the sun rises in order to get to the Cholla Cactuses with time to find your perfect sunrise spot. Beware – if you get too close to these cactuses, they’ll shoot their barbed spikes at you. They are extremely painful to remove.

Luckily, no cactus spikes for me. And also luckily, the sunrise was spectacular. The golden light of the sun perfectly complemented the earth-tones of the cholla cactuses, giving the entire area a warm glow. Make sure to stay longer than the sunrise, as the morning golden hour is really when the cactuses shine.

A dense group of cholla cactuses begin to wake as the sun rises above the mountains and clouds.
Cholla cactuses fill the foreground as the sun rises above the distant mountains.
Cholla cactuses are backlit as the sun rises.
The sun bursts through the arm of a cholla cactus.
The sun has fully risen, shining golden light on a group of cholla cactuses.
Hundreds of cholla cactuses are backlit by the sun. The air is hazy and atmospheric mountains are visible in the background.
A group of three cholla cactuses stand tall in a sea of cactus and scrub brush.

JOSHUA TREES

As you would expect, there are a lot of Joshua trees here!

Joshua trees in the desert landscape.
Joshua trees in the desert landscape.
Joshua trees in the desert landscape.
Joshua trees in the desert landscape.
Joshua trees in the desert landscape.
Joshua trees in the desert landscape.

BARKER DAM LOOP

Had to check out the watering hole! This park is fairly dry, so seeing standing water – even though it was mostly dried up – was an interesting juxtaposition.

Rock formations loom above the almost dried up Barkers Dam pond.
Tall rock formations reflect in the Barker's Dam pond. The water is stagnant and has a muck film on some parts.
Tall rock formations reflect in the Barkers Dam pond.
A film floats on top of the stagnant Barkers Dam pond.
Close up of the muck film. Lines of white foam gracefully transition to green algae.

KEYS VIEW

The day went by too fast, and before I knew it, it was time to get up to Keys View. This is one of the best spots in the park to experience sunset.

At lower elevations, the weather was quite warm and there were Joshua trees as far as one could see. At higher elevation, the Joshua trees were gone…and it was incredibly windy and cold. I was not prepared, but did my best to stay somewhat comfortable.

The view was stunning. From here, Palm Springs, Salton Sea and the Coachella Valley were clearly visible. For context, Palm Springs is about an hour drive away, and Salton Sea is even further. Truly a spectacular way to end this beautiful day.

Mountain views as far as the eye can see.
Mountain views as far as the eye can see.
A lone tree stands in the foreground. In the distance, Salton Sea and the Coachella Valley are visible.
The last sunburst of the day peeks above granite rock. The sky is blue and gold and mountains are visible in the distance.