• Hiking in a unique landscape at the perfect time of year
• Exploring Joshua Tree's diverse human and natural history
• Learning about the geology from a local geologist
• Enjoying springtime camping and sumptuous meals
• Gazing at a brilliant nighttime sky

Joshua Tree offers outstanding and unique hiking opportunities.  The Serrano Indians first made an effort to scratch a living from this forbidding landscape, followed by determined (some would say foolhardy) ranchers and miners. Only remnants of these efforts remain, but fortunately one is a wealth of hiking trails. During our five days here, we'll hike trails that lead to evidence of the park's colorful human history and to astounding geologic formations, and we'll stop to marvel at the flora and fauna that demonstrate the diverse adaptations that allow life to flourish here. We'll be accompanied by a local geologist who can answer all the questions that are raised by this unique geology. And after our full days of hiking, we'll sit around the campfire, enjoying wonderful meals and watching the dancing shadows on the surrounding rocks.

women in moderately good condition who enjoy hiking (or want to give hiking a try), immersing themselves in a unique environment, learning about geology from an expert, and camping in a dry and bug-free environment. Our hikes are 3 to 5 miles in length, with some elevation gain.  Rating  1  [2]  3  4  5

• We will be camping at one of the group sites at Joshua Tree National Park with two to three women in every roomy tent. The campsites have picnic tables and a nearby toilet. There is no running water but a nearby water supply will keep us supplied with enough water for cooking and washing.
  

at the Palm Springs airport (PSP) at 1 pm or at the campground at 3 pm on March 13

at the Palm Springs airport at 1 pm on March 18

You can download the complete trip information here

The following itinerary may be adjusted because of weather, availability of ranger talks, group wishes, etc. Whatever it ends up being, it will be fabulous hiking!

Saturday: Out trip starts today in Palm Springs, CA.  We pick you up at the airport (PSP) at 1 pm and drive up to Joshua Tree National Park. We will drive to Indian Cove Campground, our home for the next five days. After getting settled there will be time to explore the Nature Trail that leaves from the campground or to walk around this totally beautiful and unique area. This whole area is very popular with rock climbers because of the huge granite domes that have been eroded into many different shapes. The camping here is spectacular, surrounded by huge outcroppings of rocks and a roof of brilliant stars. After getting ourselves organized, we enjoy the first of many delicious meals. Those of us coming from the East will undoubtedly be ready for an early bed while others of us might choose to visit around the campfire and/or watch for shooting stars. (D)

Sunday: After a hearty breakfast we will drive over to the Visitor Center outside 29 Palms, the best place to buy books about the area. The garden around the Center will introduce you to the desert plants and the short Nature Walk elucidates the human as well as the natural history of the area. A short drive brings us to the 49 Palms Oasis hike. If you have never seen a real desert oasis before, it will give you a whole new appreciation of how important water is in the desert. The three-mile out and back hike over rolling terrain follows an old Indian trail, with views of the town and the huge marine base stretching out in the distance (B, L, D).

Monday: We spend today in the main part of the park, a short drive away. We start with climbing Ryan Mountain, a 5500-foot mountain in the center of the park composed of some of the oldest rock here. This three-mile hike gains about 1000 feet in elevation as it gradually winds its way through pinyon-juniper habitat to a summit that is known for spectacular panoramic views, including the snow-capped San Bernardino Mountains. After a picnic lunch we will do the Barker Dam Loop. This flat trail encircles the only lake in the park and is home to birds and other wildlife (Bighorn sheep have been sighted here but we will be very lucky if we see them). Along the way we pass some petroglyphs that were unfortunately touched up when a movie crew wanted to make them show up more clearly. (B, L, D).

Tuesday: We will take a break from the desert today to explore a completely different environment: the high (sometimes still snow-capped) mountains outside of Palm Springs. We take the rotating tram up to the top, marvel at the phenomenal views, and hike a bit in the cooler weather there. After a visit a local spa to enjoy the hot springs and a hot shower, we will eat dinner at a local restaurant on the way back to the campground. (B, L, D)

Wednesday: We return to the central part of the park today for further exploration of the area natural and human history as we hike to Lost Horse Mine, the best-preserved old mining operation in the park. The trail is an old mining road that gradually climbs 300 feet over two miles through juniper, nolina, and yucca. You could easily choose to spend several hours here examining the site in detail, including ruins of old buildings, mine shafts, a large wooden 10-stamp mill and an old winch that was used to lower miners and their equipment into the mines. Alternatively, if you want to hike further, another .7 miles and 400 feet elevation climb will get you to the top of 5,313 foot Lost Horse Mountain. Your reward for this effort is a wonderful view of surrounding basins and peaks. After retracing our steps we return to our campsite or visit any last sights we still want to see. (B, L, D).

Thursday: Our morning hike is right in the Indian Cove area, Rattlesnake Canyon. We hike up the Canyon at least as far as the waterfall area (0.5 miles) where a small seasonal creek leaps over rocks and forms small pools. It is a lovely place to end our five days of exploring the area. We return to our campsite in time to change clothes for the trip home and we will have you back to the Palm Springs Airport by 1 pm (B). If you are staying on for our rock climbing trip, you are welcome to stay at our campsite.