What do you get when you bring together the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert? Joshua Tree National Park.
Earlier in 2017, we stayed at the Desert Lily Rincon Ranch – a house just outside the park. Scoping campgrounds and starting to learn the magic of the area filled days of our first visit to the area. Returning to Joshua Tree ranked high on the list of places to camp.
Strategically timing our arrival for mid-week, we left the San Diego area on a Wednesday with hopes of snagging a campsite in the park. We approached the park from the south entrance after a beautiful drive through Anza Borrego State Park and Box Canyon.
ho decides to throw a sofa off a cliff in a state park? And why?
Something went awry in this neighborhood.
The plan did not take into account the Geminid meteor shower taking place on the night we arrived. Rut roh. First campground, full. With three more campgrounds to try and other campers competing for spots, we opted to head to Jumbo Rocks – the most popular campground in the park with the most campsites. Phew. A great spot in the rocks became home for a few nights.
Rabbits appear to be comfortable with us in their home.
One of the great benefits of the Jumbo Rocks campground are the amazing rock formations at your doorstep. Wind and water erosion of soils surrouding monzogranite results in mind-boggling natural sculptures.
The park describes Geology Tour Road as “An 18-mile motor tour leads through one of Joshua Tree National Park’s most fascinating landscape.” Let’s go!
The recent dash camera addition to the van let’s you join us on the ride. Don’t judge us for the lack of edits or music..
Okay, we made it down. Time to head back up.
The lighting and objects in Joshua Tree provided many great opportunities for photography.
With temperatures starting to drop into the 30s in the evening, rain in the forecast, sun setting at 4:30pm and water supplies dwindling, we left Joshua Tree after four fabulous nights. Time to find a warm place to hang out for the December holidays.