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California South


Joshua Tree National Park
Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness
Carrizo Plain National Monument

Joshua Tree National Park

Camping on the Boy Scout Trail in Joshua Tree National Park in California
I did a few short overnight walks in Joshua Tree National Park.  The trails are popular during the day, but empty in the evenings and mornings
Joshua Tree National Park hiking at sunset
The area in the north of park has the highest concentration of Joshua trees and boulder formations
Backcountry camping in Joshua Tree National Park hike
My favorite campsite was on the west side of the Boy Scout Trail

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
Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness hiking map
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 Monumnet

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
Wildflower hike in Carrizo Plain


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Contact: darnoldhiking@gmail.com

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