California South
Joshua Tree National Park
Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness
Carrizo Plain National Monument
Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness
Carrizo Plain National Monument
Joshua Tree National Park
In mid December there was a comfortable week for three day backpacking loop in western Joshua Tree (45 miles)
Bright morning at a sandy campsite near the Big Pine/Maze area
The area in the northern valley of park has the highest concentration of Joshua trees and boulder formations
My favorite section of walk was in the Big Pine/Boy Scout Trail area
Overview map of the walk. 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
Passing boulder formations near Hidden Valley
Back in the mountains to complete the loop on the final day to Black Rock
Chemehuevi Wilderness
In early February, I walked around the Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness on the border of California and Arizona (34 miles, 3 days)
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.
Sunset on the first night over Trampas Wash
The Colorado River section was the highlight of the area, challenging terrain and beautiful when the river comes into view
Devils Elbow of Topock Gorge
Carrizo Plain National Monumnet
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
I visited the first week of April, peak bloom was the week prior in late March
