Joshua Tree

[mikey's2010SR5]

I am starting to put a camping trip together for beginning of June and want to head out to Joshua Tree and explore. Do people have any recommendations on must see or go to places when I will be out there?

Hiking, shooting photos, and exploring are the goals for the trip. Will be out there for probably 4 days.

Thanks gang.

 

[DigableKid]

Have you had any responses? I'm curious cause I'm planning a trip this month for my wife's birthday. Otherwise, it's back to Borrego.

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

Nope just you.

 

[9494runner]

I would be interested. Could do some climbing. Moving back to socal in may. runner need a new motor so well see if she's done in time :car:


Also post this in the offroad and socal sections if you want to drum up intrest

 

[Chsbrgr]

Kind of warm in June. The park is a transition zone that includes the Mojave (high desert) and the Colorado (low desert). Coming from the north (bay area right?), you might start at the West entrance in Joshua Tree. It's called Park Boulevard, you will gain elevation. Look at your map and note Hidden Valley area, Ryan Mtn area, Sheep Pass, Jumbo Rocks. Very special rock formations, and a climbers mecca in the winter. Lots of hiking trails in the area. Keys View is paved and the highest point you can drive. Great view of Palm
Springs and the Salton Sea, even a bit of Mexico. Do this for sunrise, not sunset unless you want your view blocked by smog. If you take Pinto Basin Road to the Cottonwood Entrance off of I-10 you will be in the low desert, different plants different scenery. Coolest temps to camp will be between Hidden Valley and Jumbo Rocks.

For off road, look at Berdoo Canyon, Pinkham Canyon Road. Old mining remains are around the Old Dale Mining District. Your rig is built right? So no worries, nothing too technical. Plenty of trip reports on these trails on Expedition Portal.

What am I missing? Hit me up.

 

[Oneluv13T4R]

I live right below it.
5 mins from Berdoo Rd. the back way into Joshua Tree. Cool road good day trip.
Also look into doing Mecca " meccadoinia" there's all sorts of trails there pinnacle canyon,Bradshaw trail, jeep trail, box canyon trail, ladder canyon (amazing), salton sea etc. which are all awesome and include everything your looking to do.

Which most of these I would assume are in trail maps, books, dirtopia site etc
Oh and you tube videos.

Anything else could help with let me know.

 

[MillerPKA]

[MENTION=25058]ChildrenOfBodom[/MENTION] what's up with these spam bots ^^

I may be interested I'll keep a look out for updates here.

 

[delloro]

J tree is nice, there is an upper part and a lower part, the upper part is higher elevation and cooler.

it gets crowded quickly, so make reservations soon if you want a campsite with a bathroom. otherwise, it is first-come, first serve.

not all campsites are OK for campfires, be advised.

I have been there a couple times, and enjoyed it, but it is kinda popular.

Anza Borrego park is easier about camping and fires, maybe a good second choice. but it is no cooler than J tree.

 

[BrianSD_42]

camping trip together for beginning of June and want to head out to Joshua Tree and explore. Do people have any recommendations

Recommendation: Don't go to Joshua Tree in June.

I went there March 20th of this year and it was 85-90F daily in the valleys and 102F on the top the pass from Old Dale Rd.

That was a heat wave and the follow week it was only 75 - 85.

But that was March and you are going in June. Wow dude I just looked it up and the average high for June - July is between 90 to 105F and this year will probably be another record breaker.

I've been to J.T. five times now and while it is great I would never ever go there that time of year. No running water anywhere in the park .... going be crazy killer hot.

Why don't you go somewhere else ..... there are so many other places. From the bay area you could drive to Oregon or the Sierras or up the coast of California.

Anza Borrego park is easier about camping and fires, maybe a good second choice.

Anza-B in June is a death trap. May is the last time when most sane people choose to camp out there. Alpine is a lot cooler and a good alternative though.

 

[Drunner97]

Recommendation: Don't go to Joshua Tree in June.

I went there March 20th of this year and it was 85-90F daily in the valleys and 102F on the top the pass from Old Dale Rd.

That was a heat wave and the follow week it was only 75 - 85.

But that was March and you are going in June. Wow dude I just looked it up and the average high for June - July is between 90 to 105F and this year will probably be another record breaker.

I've been to J.T. five times now and while it is great I would never ever go there that time of year. No running water anywhere in the park .... going be crazy killer hot.

Why don't you go somewhere else ..... there are so many other places. From the bay area you could drive to Oregon or the Sierras or up the coast of California.



Anza-B in June is a death trap. May is the last time when most sane people choose to camp out there. Alpine is a lot cooler and a good alternative though.

There's running water at a handful of sites. Cottonwood Springs being one of them with ground water pumps and bathrooms with running water.

That being said, the latest I ever go to Joshua Tree is the beginning of April. We went the second week of May once because part of our camping group couldn't get scheduled earlier, and that was ridiculous with 100-110 degree heat. Never again. I've also been in August for the meteor showers, also ridiculously hot, but we got there late afternoon and only stayed the night. Don't plan on doing a whole lot of exploring during the day outside of the air conditioning if you go in June.

Cottonwood Springs is a good first come/first serve campground as a lot of people tend to camp in the middle and north end of the park due to the rock climbing and trails. Early afternoon on a Friday will almost always guarantee you a spot, but in June, you should have your pick of camp grounds.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I didn't realize there was running water at a few of the camp grounds.

Still it is safest to assume you will have no running water. I've camped there 3 times and none of our sites had running water.

About the heat ... I definitely agree.