DWTH Day 48: Joshua Tree National Park

Daily Miles: 18.0, Total Miles: 747.1

Another early start on what was expected to be a long, warm day hiking west and then north through Joshua Tree National Park.

My first observations were many more footprints on the trail and then the very impressive, tall Joshua trees, so much larger than the yucca plants I have been seeing for a few hundred miles.

I made my way to Park Road and retrieved my last water cache, before once again setting out x-country back up another wash through a weathered granite rock canyon. I was soon slowed by a section of large boulder obstructions, some having to go under, sometimes around and finally over the top. I had to hoist my pack up a few times and had to back up a few times at dead ends.

At a high point looking into Queen Valley, I had a clear view of snow-capped Mt. San Gorgonio and later the mountain was framed by the tallest Joshua trees. I clearly recall coming down this peak on my PCT hike.

The Wonderland of Rocks was a cool journey through massive maze-like granite boulder formations. I had lunch near Barker Dam, a lot more day hikers around and a few rock/boulder climbers.

I eventually turned north onto the more popular Boy Scout Trail passing several reservable backcountry campsites before taking a short side trail to the Maze zone where I had planned to camp. Nice views and surrounded by granite boulder hills, I found a partially shaded spot to pitch my tent on my last night on the Desert Winter Thru-Hike although I plan to continue on to touch the PCT in a few days.

New bird today: White-throated Swift