Joshua Tree, California

 Jumbo Rocks

Joshua Tree is Sancho's favorite national park (so far).  It is located where two deserts - the Mojave and the Colorado - collide.  The Mojave desert part of the park is probably what comes to mind if you've ever seen pictures of Joshua Tree or been there -- the cactus-like Joshua trees and the rough rocks with pleasing curves.

The Colorado desert, on the other hand, is located on the east side of the park and is less frequented by visitors -- probably because there are few (if any) Joshua Trees and no big rocks to climb.  But the Colorado desert is home to interesting plants that do not grow in the Mojave.  For example, the cholla cactus.

cholla cactus

We took an interesting side trip to Keys Point lookout, where we came across a couple scattering someone's ashes to the wind and a sweet view of the San Andreas Fault.  It was all very epic.

San Andreas Fault

In the picture above, the San Andreas fault is not the bumpy hills in the foreground (those are Indio Hills), and not the big mountains in the background, but the distinct and straight ridge at low elevation between the bumpy Indio Hills and big mountains.

We camped, we hiked, we looked for bolted rock routes but found only sketchy ones.  There are thousands of routes at Joshua Tree; it is a sort of climbing mecca.  We avoided the popular spots (and probably all the bolted routes) like Hidden Valley where we saw tons of climbers.  Next time we'll bring a climber friend or a guide book.

Not to be left out of the rock climbing action, nearly every rock we encountered was scalable without the use of rope.  Felt free.

One reason Joshua Tree is so appealing is that despite its desert climate and inhospitable (to humans) landscape, the curved rocks form a sort of rock garden that gives a feeling of shelter and positive energy  Plus, you get the sense that you are not lost in a great abyss, as you do in so many other deserts (like the Colorado & Death Valley).  But, of course, you are lost in a great abyss.

I knit this little pouch that turned out to be just the right size for my squat little cell phone.  Why is it so satisfying to cover technology with sweaters??

At the moment we're in a Super 8 motel in Phoenix, Arizona.  We're about to visit Windspirit Community.