Traveling, Camping and Hiking My Way Westward
#54 & 55 of my 2023 52 Hike Challenge
Trail/Park: Joshua Tree National Park, Twentynine Palms, CA
Trash Collected: 2.1 pounds
The Space Between
The time had come for me to start my journey back east toward home. I still had stops to make, parks and friends to visit. When I’d started my planning for this 2023 road trip, it included making sure I would have more time. Time to visit more places I’d driven past on my 2022 road trip west. Time to connect with far flung friends. Time to hike and take in the incredible beauty and amazingly differing landscapes along the way.
One of the promises I’d made to myself was not just a day drive through Joshua Tree National Park, but at least a full day to hike and camp in or near the park. By the time I got to my planning which would have me landing at the park on a Saturday afternoon there were no campsites to be had on Saturday. I secured a Sunday spot at the Cottonwood Campground, preferring to be a bit off the beaten path. Always the optimist, I took the chance I would find a first come, first served site for Saturday.
The landscape heading east from Los Angeles transitions from sprawling development surrounded by mountains to acres of windmills before rising into the high desert on Highway 62. Everywhere yucca and Joshua Tree dot the vast swaths of desert. Despite the starkness I found myself again marveling at the diversity of the U.S. as one travels across it. Sameness yet underlying subtle differences everywhere.
Chance Taken, Lesson Learned
Despite all the information on the park website, I held hope for a site as I packed up in the mid-morning and climbed behind the wheel to drive from Los Angeles toward the park. While most mapping apps will tell you the drive is about three and a half hours, the reality pulling my trailer was more like five. I needed to cross the Los Angeles area on Hwy 210 before connecting with Interstate 10 toward Palm Springs, then heading north toward Twentynine Palms. Slowing down had fully set in. I was in no hurry, despite knowing I could be hunting for a back-up plan to camp for the night. The advantage I’d have is the western states have more Bureau of Land Management (BLM) spaces which allow dispersed camping. Fee campgrounds are more prevalent too, so I knew I’d find something. At worst I’d be paying for a place to park for the night.
It was early afternoon when I finally arrived in Twentynine Palms to fuel up and top off up my water supply. Then off I went to enter the park through the West Entrance gate. Having my purchased National Park Pass at Badlands National Park on my way west meant I could skip to the side and drive in after a quick nod from the park staff at the gate.
Campsite First, Hike Later
On a mission of finding a campsite, I headed past the busy, iconic hikes toward the campgrounds. I would take the approach of going to each one until I found a spot or knew I’d need to see an alternative. First Indian Cove, then Sheep Pass, and on to Black Rock. Not a site open. Climbers filled the sites. I knew quickly, with how busy the park was at this time of day, my best bet would be to head back to Twentynine Palms. I could try for a spot at the Cottonwood campground on the other end of the park but wanted to save that drive for tomorrow.
I left the park at the North entrance, taking in the long, winding five-mile drive into town. I pulled over on a side road and quickly searched for campsites. Finding one nearby in a RV park, the Twentynine Palms Resort, I decided to land for the night and plan on hiking the next day before heading toward my reserved site at the Cottonwood campground. Pulling in and resigning myself to being parked for the night next to huge campers set in place for snowbirds settled for winter, I gave up to the universe as the place for me to be. With the office closed, I found self-check-in and got one of the last three spots available for drop-in.
Watching the setting sun, I made dinner, poured myself a chai tea and hopped inside the camper to get out of the chilling evening. Days near 90 turn quickly cold when the sun goes down. My plan for tomorrow set, I’d want an earlier start so I could backtrack a bit to hike at Jumbo Rocks and the surrounding area before driving the 30 miles southeast through the park to my next campsite.
Next Post Preview: Rocks and cholla, throngs of people giving way to blissful quiet. A day of hiking and the stars shining bright after sunset. Joshua Tree National Park shows its full potential to explore.
This travel, hike and camping took place on the traditional territory of the Chumash, Tongva (Gabrieleno), Ɂívil̃uwenetem Meytémak (Cahuilla), Payómkawichum (Luiseño), Yuhaaviatam/Maarenga’yam (Serrano), and Newe Sogobia (Western Shoshone) who have stewarded this land for time immemorial. I respect the histories, languages and cultures of these peoples, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant and changing communities. Join me in learning more about the tribes and these lands, by following the links provided.
HOME AWAY FROM HOME: My adventure camper is a lovely little teardrop made-to-order by the incredibly talented people at Vistabule in St. Paul, MN.
GEAR: Granite Gear Crown2 38 Pack,Marmot Kompressor Pack,Oboz Katabatic Mid Waterproof,Oboz Katabic Low,Mountain Hardware Stretchdown™ Light Jacket, Mountain Hardware Stretchdown™ Pant,REI Co-op XeroDry GTX Jacket,REI Co-op Magma 850 Down Hoodie,REI Co-op XeroDry GTX Pants, Gnara Go There™ Pants, Chickfly Merino Eucalyptus Leggings,Icebreaker Women’s Merino 200 Oasis Long Sleeve Crewe Thermal Top, Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis Thermal Leggings, SPOT GEN3 Satellite GPS Messenger, Dueter Dirtbag, Kula Cloth, Leki Women’s Micro Vario Cor-Tec TA trekking poles, Nemo Dragonfly™ Ultralight Backpacking Tent, Nemo Sonic™ 0 Down Sleeping Bag,Paria Thermodown 30 down quilt, Exped Ultra 7R Mat,REI Flash 3-Season Sleeping Pad, Thermarest Z Seat™,MSR Pocket Rocket Stove, TOAKS Titanium 450ML Cup with Lid, MSR® IsoPro™ Fuel.
Want to know more about my gear selections? Head on over to Gear & Gadgets or check out my posts titled “Gear in Review”.
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