California Desert

Joshua Tree National Park
Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness
Carrizo Plain National Monument

Joshua Tree National Park

In mid December I completed a three day backpacking loop in western Joshua Tree (45 miles)

Campsite on Boy Scout Trail in Joshua Tree National Park

Evening campsite in the valley

Joshua Tree National Park hiking at sunset

The area in the northern valley of park has the highest concentration of Joshua trees and boulder formations

Backcountry camping in Joshua Tree National Park hike

My favorite section of walk was in the Big Pine/Boy Scout Trail area

All water was stored at the three pins on the map at the Maze, Boy Scout and Juniper Flats trailheads.

The western mountains were less scenic than the main valley by the road. The California Trail would be a good alternative to walk outlined here if you have the transport for a one way hike. The other option I considered was a combination of the California Trail from the North Entrance to the Boy Scout Trail finishing at Indian Cove

Joshua trees in the valley on backpack in National Park

Passing boulder formations near Hidden Valley

Mountain section on Joshua tree backpack

Back in the mountains to complete the loop on the final day to Black Rock

Chemehuevi Wilderness

Backpacking around the Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness area in California

In early February, I walked around the Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness on the border of California and Arizona (34 miles, 3 days)

Pass on the Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness walk

Crossing over the pass on the first day

The loop started at Snaggletooth going east through Trampas Wash and returning west through Red Rock Falls Wash. The river is lined with a wall of tamarisk, but there are two places to resupply water -- an inlet at the end of Trampas Wash and northeast of the main wash that leads into Devils Elbow (requires scrambling to get to a beach). Give yourself extra time for backtracking the ravines and canyons around the Colorado River, no easy way on day two. Burro tracks often help.

Camping in the Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness backpacking route in Trampas Wash

Sunset on the first night over Trampas Wash

Colorado River with the Needles Mountains in view across the river in the Havasu Wilderness

The Colorado River section was the highlight of the area, challenging terrain and beautiful when the river comes into view

Backpacking route in the Chemehuevi Mountains at Topock Gorge on the Colorado River

Devils Elbow of Topock Gorge

Carrizo Plain National Monument

Temblor Range spring wildflowers in Carrizo Plain California

The superbloom in Carrizo Plain National Monument (2017). There is a clearly defined trail off Elkhorn Road, which starts at a wooden gate a few miles south of the Wallace Creek parking area 

Temblor Range hike in Carrizo Plain California

I visited the first week of April, peak bloom was the week prior in late March