- This topic has 10 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 3 years, 2 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
Let’s go explore Joshua Tree National Park! So many cool things to see and do, and January is the perfect time to explore! There are visitor centers, a touring route, and hiking trails!PLEASE RSVP IN THIS THREAD IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND
UPDATE!!!
Here’s a UPDATE on Joshua Tree! Craig Williams cruised up there last weekend to stake out our itinerary! Here it is!
We’re looking forward to our exploratory tour of Joshua Tree National Park!
On Sunday, we meet at Country Kitchen restaurant (61768 29 Palms Hwy, Joshua Tree) around 9:00am for a bite to eat and to pick up sandwiches for your mid-day munchies (there are no food facilities in the park). If Country Kitchen is busy, there are several other choices at the same intersection.
At 10:00, we’ll head around the corner (literally) to our official start at the Joshua Tree Visitor Center, where we’ll take a quick look at the exhibits, our itinerary, pick up a free map and head out around 1030.
We’ve structured the day so the group stays together for 3 main stops, and then folks can break into smaller groups and wander off for individual sight-seeing, hiking or whatever before meeting back in Joshua Tree for a late lunch. There’s so much to see and do here, that we encourage you to take note of the fun places you want to explore on the way south, and then go back to those places on your own on your way back.
Our first stop is about 20 miles into the park at Keys View. From this point, you can see some incredible views of the Coachella Valley, including the Salton Sea, Palm Springs, the San Andreas Fault, and other sites. Be prepared with a jacket, because it could be pretty windy up there at this 5,200 foot elevation. But the incredible views are worth it.
From Keys View we’ll head back downhill and go to the Hall of Horrors where we’ll explore for around 30 minutes or so.
Then we’ll head further south to the very cool Cholla Cactus Garden for around 30 minutes. There’s a great walking path around the garden.
From the Cactus Garden, you’re on your own to backtrack toward Joshua Tree over the same route and do some exploration of those sights you noted on the way down. You could drive straight back in about an hour, but we’re suggesting taking 2 hours or so to meet back at Pie for the People (61740 29 Palms Hwy) around 3:30 where we’ll enjoy some local pizza and ruminate about the day.
Sounds like fun!
Note!
– Bring!
– 2-way radios (there is NO cell service in the park!)
– a jacket (high temps should be in the 60s, but it could be windy at Keys View)
– sandwiches or snacks and water for mid-day munchies
– hiking boots!
– Park entrance fee is $30/car
– annual passes are accepted (such as Senior pass)Updated schedule (see details above):
Meet for a brunch in Joshua Tree around 9:00am.
Visitor’s Center at 10:00
Picnic lunch is an option (but bring your own)
Follow the tour below until around 2:30.
Regroup in Twenty-Nine Palms for a late lunch at 3:30
@ 4:00- 4:30 – head home!
https://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htmSharon and I plan to attend. What is the meet up location for Brunch? Will there be a caravan traveling to Joshua Tree or we just meet there?
“Sharon and I plan to attend. What is the meet up location for Brunch? Will there be a caravan traveling to Joshua Tree or we just meet there?”
Jerry, I will touch base with Craig Williams (he is coordinating) and will post the brunch location in Joshua Tree. Looking at Yelp, it looks like our choices for brunch are going to be limited.
“I just got a reprieve from a dog event.. Is there a caravan to Joshua Tree… Phil”
Will have to check with Craig Williams regarding any caravan. I’m going up the night before and will meet you guys at brunch or the Visitor Center.
Caravan? Two options!!
1) Meet up in Beaumont at 7:45am Sunday morning. Meet at Starbucks at 1610 E 2nd St Marketplace, Beaumont. Take the South Highland Springs Av exit (exit south), right onto 2nd Street. Meet up at 7:45; head out at 8:00am.
Note that the leader from Beaumont will need to be self-appointed.2) Meet at the Coachella Valley Vista Point at 7:30am (west of Palm Desert on SR 74); leave at 8:00a.
Jerry, see my notes above for brunch info and caravan info. As George mentioned, choices are limited and seating is limited; we’re going to head for Country Kitchen first and overflow to the other 3 restaurants at the main intersection. There’s a coffee shop, a mexican restaurant with adequate seating, and the Crossroads Cafe.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.