Advice needed - Joshua Tree NP

[wondershots]

I'm going to Newport Beach, CA for a conference from 5/17-5/20. The conference is over at noon on Friday and I'm not coming back until Sunday. I'm staying in Newport Beach Friday night but will probably get a hotel in Palm Desert on Saturday. My plan is to venture to Joshua Tree NP. So my question is, if you had one day at Joshua Tree what would you see? What trails if any would you investigate? Or would you just forget that altogether and stay in the Newport Beach area for sightseeing.

I just had double hernia surgery on 4/21 so I will probably take one SLR and one lens (either the 10-24 Tamron, or 24-70 Canon L) and my G12. That also means that while I can probably hike a little I won't be doing any major climbing or long hikes. Are there many decent places to see that are a short walk from pull-outs along the road?

[mdparthum]

Jim, I went to Joshua Tree NP last June and here are a few suggestions.

1) If you are going in the afternoon and want to photograph joshua trees at sunset, then don't venture too far down the park road. They thin out the further you go on the road.
2) There are lots of little effortless walks away from the roadway that will get you some nice shots.
3) There is a picnic area that you can park at and then walk past the bolders for some nice vista shots down into the park. (Hidden Valley on the park map.)
4) There is also a large bolder that looks like a skull just after you leave the camping area. There are lots of rocks to climb on there, but you aren't doing any of that.
5) On the East side of the park is an area of cactus (Cholla Gardens) that remind me of coral and there is a large "forest" of them. The signs say don't touch because they will inflict great pain. There is also a fenced in walkway to guide you through them.
6) Not much else past this area but open road and then the southside Visitor's Center.


I didn't see much wildlife but it was in the 100s when I was there. I also came in on the northside from the Visitor's Center and missed Indian Cove and Oasis of Mara, so if you have time travel up that way. I will post some shots later today when I get home.

[wondershots]

Thanks Michael!

[WarrenG]

Jim, I climbed a lot in JTree when I lived in Cali. To say JTree is massive is an understatement. There are a lot of quick hikes, but it will be very hot, and as already mentioned, you will not see much in the way of wildlife.

I would suggest doing the Palm Springs Aerial Tram, and then you can also drive through Palm Springs up 74 (awesome panoramic shots) hit 79 through the forest and take East Glade Rd to the Palomar Observatory. Following 76 all the way back down the mountain will take you down to Oceanside and I-5. Turn north and you can stop at San Onofree where you can hit the over look, walk down to the beach and photograph the surfers if you like. Continue north will take you right back to NB.

Have fun... a lot to do over there.

[venchka]

The large format crowd gathers at Jumbo Rocks campground. Based on prints from the area that is a good place to start. Personally, I would head for Joshua Tree about 5 minutes before the conference ends.

[mdparthum]

Jim, here are a few from my June 2010 trip to Joshua Tree NP.

California, Arizona, New Mexico

[wondershots]

Originally Posted by mdparthum

Jim, here are a few from my June 2010 trip to Joshua Tree NP.

California, Arizona, New Mexico

Nice! Thanks.

[KJ Smith]

IIRC the place to be is around the junction of the thre hard surfaced park roads.

Coming in the North West entrance would be best. It is a long drive from I10 up to that junction.

Here are some from my trip.

You could join CaliforniaPhotoForum - Powered by vBulletin and ask the locals what they think.

[wondershots]

Thanks Kevin, Saw your post yesterday when searching the forum.

I have an account on California Photo Forum but seem to have login problems right now.

Originally Posted by KJ Smith

IIRC the place to be is around the junction of the thre hard surfaced park roads.

Coming in the North West entrance would be best. It is a long drive from I10 up to that junction.

Here are some from my trip.

You could join CaliforniaPhotoForum - Powered by vBulletin and ask the locals what they think.

[lfmerrell]

Isn't the iconic photo the telephone booth? Is it still there?

A link Desert Tripper's Mojave Phone Booth Trip #1

Been a quarter of a century plus since I've been there.