Salton Sea SRA Trip to Joshua Tree National Park
It was with great expectation that we headed for Joshua Tree National Park. The irony is we had no idea what to expect! That is precisely what makes for an adventurous day. We did know there would be significant elevation gain and resulting loss today as we made our way north out of Mecca, Ca., through Box Canyon to the south gate of the park. The rock formations on either side of the road inspired the name; the huge vertical slabs of monzogranite gave the impression of passing through a box. Without peripheral vision it was hard to know what to imagine. Obviously we were ascending, that was a fact.
It turns out Box Canyon was a passageway through the Orocopia Mountains. The road broke out into a large valley between us and the mountains of the park. Interstate 10 runs east/west along the north edge of that valley. Crossing the freeway, we entered the park and climbed 8 miles to the Visitor Center at Cottonwood Spring. There were no Cottonwoods, and they were drilling a well just outside! With our Senior Pass, we paid no fee.
As the road climbs upward it is passing through a transition zone between the Colorado desert and the Mojave desert. There plants and animals of both types are represented. Basically, the Colorado desert is below 3,000’ and the Mojave is above.
The best memories we have are of the vast wilderness of the Pinto Basin; it is mind boggling. Next, the Cholla Cactus Garden was a treat, but the plants seemed threatened. Many dead, most of the others exhibit blackened trunks. The wind was picking up there. At White Tank, the wind was howling; I am guessing 50 MPH! The elevation was over 4100’ at the summit of the climb. But, there is a very cool (literally and figuratively) campground there among the sculpted monzogranite boulders. Also, a trail from site 9 leads to the rock arch. Wear good shoes, not flip-flops! It’s not difficult, but you need good traction.
From there you coast downhill for miles, with stunning views of the small communities 1000’ below, outside the park. The Oasis of Mara, at the East Gate (which, oddly, is directly north of the South Gate) Visitor’s Center in Twentynine Palms, is worth the .5 mile stroll after that long drive. We did not see half of the park, so we plan to return in a couple days to travel a different route in the NW quadrant.
It was a long drive west to Yucca Valley, south to I-10, and east to Mecca and the Salton Sea camp. Luckily, I got a power nap in the truck while Penny did some grocery shopping! When we got home, she made chicken vegetable noodle soup while I sorted through nearly 100 new photos. We crashed early after that 173 mile drive.