I had one night booked at Joshua Tree National Park, which is a three hour drive from my home in Orange County. I stayed at Jumbo Rocks Campground, and had visited Arch Rock Loop, at sunset the night before.
I was wondering how much I really could see of this expansive National Park in less than 24 hours. I was about to find out. I researched the hikes near my campground in advance, and decided I would hike Split Rock Loop, past the famous Skull Rock.
I began my hike from Jumbo Rocks Campground, toward the Arch Rock Loop in the early morning. I had limited time before checkout at the campground, and my daughter did not want to hike more, so she would be staying with our dog at camp. That meant I had to make it a short one.
The hike began alongside the campground, on the Jumbo Rocks Campground Loop trail. It is sparsely marked, and I was glad to have alltrails downloaded. I planned on a stop at Skull Rock, before crossing the road, to begin the Arch Rock Loop.
My hike today would be about 4 miles today, and take me about 2 hours to complete.
The weather was in the low 70’s, and April is a great time for hiking in Joshua Tree.
Still, I brought plenty of water along with me.
Skull Rock was indicated by the number of people hovering around it. It is hard to make it out up close, so I walked back a ways to get a better look. I was not able to get a great photo of it, or near it, so I moved on. It was an interesting rock, and definitely lived up to its name.
After my first stop of the hike, I was ready to explore a Split Rock Loop trail. I didn’t know what I might find along the Split Rock loop. I guessed more Joshua Trees, and more interesting large rocks. But I was not expecting them to be this large.
I knew there was a mine hike you could connect with on the Split Rock Loop. I was not sure I would have time for that one today.
The hike began in a soft sandy wash, the kind of terrain that makes for slow moving travel.
I passed a large number of twisted looking interesting juniper trees. They were very green, and stay evergreen, even here in the high desert.
I passed between two tall rocks, close together, that were not quite a slot canyon, but a narrow passage nonetheless.
This was so neat, walking between the tall boulders. This is part of what makes hikes like this a lot of fun, and rather special.
I continued up the wash a ways and though the going was slow, the skies were blue, and it was a perfect day to enjoy all the interesting scenery.
Rocks are the stars on this hike, and it’s not wonder there are 12,000 named bouldering and rock climbs in the park. Some of these boulders were easily over 30 feet tall.
You will more likely than not, see rock climbers with large bouldering mats on their backs, somewhere along this stretch.
Somewhere in the park is a climb entitled, the burrito. I feel like I saw more than my fair share of rocks that would qualify as such, living up to that name.
The smooth boulders look deceivingly easy, as if you could scamper on up to the top, but they are not. These are slippery, and technical climbs for the most part. So I stayed on trail, and admired them from afar.
I’m not sure what is more interesting the clouds, the rock formations, or how they just seem to dance together. It seems like the landscape is in motion, in spite of being permanently fixed to the group.
As humans we take credit for creating modern architecture, but there is something entirely modern going on here, that is also quite ancient. Is anything actually new that we create, or are we constantly re-designing something that has been around a very long time, that is the question.
Hikes and going out in nature tend to make me feel philosophical, what can I say?
A native cactus, not yet flowering. With such a dry year, the question is whether it will bloom at all. Not every year can be a superbloom year.
I stopped and noticed this green songbird, resting on a thorny branch. It’s funny how the cactus wren can find comfort in places that other creatures might consider a sticky situation.
I wanted to stay longer, but it was checkout time, so I had to head back to my campsite. For a one night stay, I certainly felt I had gotten a good dose of desert beauty. Joshua Tree is an expansive National Park.
Conclusion
How much could you see, just staying one night here? The answer is just enough to have you already planning your next visit. You definitely cannot see all of Joshua Tree National Park in one day, nor could you likely see it all, in your lifetime, even if you tried.
I hope you enjoyed reading this, and it is helpful in knowing what to expect, should you decide to visit here.
About me
I’m Serafina! I’m a writer and California girl who loves to go exploring. Hope you will get outside today, breathe some fresh air, and be happy!
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Disclaimer: The work on this blog is my opinion and my opinion alone and I am not responsible for the outcome if someone were to apply these thoughts to their own life. All text and photography copyright 2021 by Serafina, all rights reserved. Information and opinions provided are kept current to the best of the author’s ability. All readers’ usage of the ideas and opinions presented in the blog, are at their own risk. Be aware of the possible dangers of hiking, surfing, walking, cooking, and other activities, which may take place indoors or outdoors. By reading this, you agree not to hold the author or publisher of the content on this web site responsible for any injuries or inconveniences that may result from reading the blog, or partaking in any activity mentioned in the blog. Read the blog, and use its ideas, if you so desire, at your own risk.
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