Joshua Tree National Park, CA

We went out to Joshua Tree National Park today. There are several entrances to the this park and we chose the Cottonwood entrance on the south side. Both of us were primarily interested in seeing Joshua Trees and the boulders that are also a well-known feature of this national park. As it turned out, the south side is furthest away from these features - ha ha!

But, no worries... by coming in this way we were able to enjoy a leisurely 2-hour drive through the park with stops along the way, including a short walk to the "Cottonwood Spring" oasis, and a viewing of the Cholla Cactus Garden. 

Joshua Tree National Park encompasses two desert ecosystems: the Mojave Desert to the west and the Colorado desert to the east. The Mojave Desert area of the park includes elevations above 3000 feet and is home to a wide variety of flora, including Joshua Trees, Pinyon Pines, Mohave Yuccas, and Parrys' Nolina trees. The Colorado Desert area lays below 3000 feet and is host to Creosote, Ocatillo, Palo Verde, Cholla cactus, and the Sacred Datura plant.

Joshua Tree

During our visit, we learned that Joshua Trees are actually not trees at all; they are a variety of Yucca. This wild-armed plant can grow to over 40 feet tall, at a rate of one inch per year. Like many desert plants, slow wins the race.

Joshua Tree National Park is an enchanting place and I highly recommend a visit sometime between October and March, when temperatures are comfortable.

Below are some more photos of the park :

Cottonwood Springs

Sacred Dutura

Cholla Fruit

Cholla Garden

Boulders

Skull Rock