.:A Desert Lifestyle Article:.
Joshua Tree National Park
In Your Own Back Yard
Story & Photos By: Lala Bevilacqua
A national park in the high desert? I have to admit, I was a little skeptical at first. How enjoyable could it be to walk through miles of barren sand dunes and rolling tumble weeds? Why would I want to be out there with hungry vultures circling overhead, eyeing me sinisterly? Dramatic? Yes. Accurate? Absolutely not.
My husband and I began our Joshua Tree National Park adventure at the north entrance located on Utah Trail in Twentynine Palms. We mapped our route on the brochure kindly provided by the young ranger at the gate and decided Ryan Mountain would be our rite of passage. A forewarning, the park brochure rates this hike as “moderately strenuous” and the hike is all uphill. If your idea of exercise resembles mine, which means walking to and from your parked car, then be ready for a real challenge. Ryan Mountain has an elevation of 5,461 feet; the path winds up and around the mountainside. You’re in for two to three hours of climbing and it’s best to manage your energy accordingly. After making an effort to keep up with my partner, who is in much better shape (courtesy of the United States Marine Corps), I heeded the warning of my wheezing chest that the name of the game is traveling at one’s own pace. I slowed down and was able to enjoy the view, take some pictures, look for wildlife and smile admiringly at those fellow hikers bounding up the trail like mountain goats.
I experienced a brief moment of sublime reality nearing the summit, when the air changes, the path opens, your mind drifts away from your aching legs to the magnificent site opening before your eyes and something within you beckons you to keep going. At this point all I could think was, “This was totally worth it.” From the summit of Ryan Mountain, you’ll be graced by a breathtaking 360 degree view of Lost Horse Valley, Queen Valley and the Pinto Basin. Remember to keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. A busy ground squirrel joined our mountaintop picnic and nearby I watched what I previously thought was a piece of black rubber tubing lazily slither away under a bush. In this moment of tranquility, as your body temperature regains normality and the chilly mountain wind beings to take effect, you’ll appreciate your foresight in wearing those loose fitting layers. When you have sufficiently gazed at the indescribable wonderment below, but before beginning the arduous trek back down, commemorate your achievement by contributing to the towering cairn rock pile marking the summit of Ryan Mountain.
From Ryan Mountain, we cruised down Park Boulevard taking in the field of Joshua trees lining the way and marveling at the giant rock formations breaking the landscape; abstract building blocks haphazardly piled together by the muscles of time. Park Boulevard, one of the park’s main veins of paved road, will lead you straight to Keys View, which is accessible for all visitors with a concrete ramp looping around the overlook area. Keys View boasts a panoramic view of the San Andreas Fault, Mt. San Jacinto, Mt. San Gorgonio, the Salton Sea and Signal Mountain in Mexico. I must admit, after sweating for the privilege of standing at the zenith of Ryan Mountain, Keys View didn’t hit me with the same dramatic sense of achievement. However, the view is definitely worth the drive across the park, especially if you have children or older family members with you.
For the extremist who gets a kick out of laughing death in the face, there are countless boulders to climb at Joshua Tree National Park. For the final stop of our long day, we took a walk around Caps Rock located at the intersection of Park Boulevard and Keys View Road. In awe, we watched a sinewy old man with long, flowing hair effortlessly crawl up an enormous vertical boulder. Knowing our own physical limitations, we decided to keep our feet safely on the ground and stick to the designated path. In a satisfying finale to an adventurous day, I observed in quiet wonderment as the palette of the setting sun brought new light to the beauty of the dusty park.
If you’re in the area, don’t put off the great opportunity to visit Joshua Tree National Park. From concrete paved trails to rock climbing and bouldering, the park offers something for all ages and fitness levels. Be sure to put a trip to Joshua Tree National Park on your calendar. Need equipment for your trek? Outdoor Adventures located on Griffin Road aboard the base provides a wide range of outdoor equipment rentals at a great price.
