Joshua Tree
March 24, 2026
Cruise Directors: Connie and Brenda
Sheep: Peggy, Lisa R and Julie
MIA: Lisa L and Sue
Day 1 - Tuesday, March 24, 2026
We left the house in Arizona at 8am and headed west to Joshua Tree National Park. Our driver Connie and Navigator Brenda (yes, that is the opposite of what it normally is) did an excellent job and we arrived about 11:30. The first stop was at the park sign we were assumed the position for our official picture.
The next stop was Cottonwood Visitor Center where we talked to a Ranger who advised us on how to see the park in an afternoon and what things not to miss. Water is not available in the park so we filled our water bottles in the bathroom which was the last water available.
She also mentioned that the only place we were guaranteed shade for lunch was the picnic area here. Since is was close to noon we decided to have our lunch here. Delicious sandwiches, chips, carrots and grapes. With chocolate mint cookies for dessert thanks to our friend Brian.
Our next stop was the Pinto Basin where we learned that this valley is an extinct ancient riverbank that was approximately 9000 years old. This is also the area of Turkey Flats, which is not really flat. It is made up of gravel and sand (called alluvium) coming loose from the Pinto Mountains seen in the background.
A little ways down the road we ran into Teddy Bear Cholla. They look soft and cuddle - but don't be fooled.
As we continued to drive through the park we kept looking for Joshua Trees, but since we weren't sure what they looked like we kept guessing until we finally got to them. No guessing required once we found them.
Our first major stop was at Skull Rock. We climbed around on the rocks for a while and took some pictures
These pictures make it hard to tell, but there was some climbing required to get to these two locations. Yes, we still have it!
We saw some amazing yuccas, cactus and flowers while exploring this area. These are Kingcup Cactus and Desertbells.
This is also where we got our first chance to be up close and personal with a Joshua Tree.
Then we got back in the car and drove to Ryan Mountain Trail head. It was way too hot to hike the trail. We didn't even need all the warnings! After looking around a bit - we headed back to the car and the airconditioning.
Our next destination was Key Views. The Ranger told us this was her favorite stop and not to miss it. We had a great view San Andreas Fault, Mt. San Gorgonio, Mt San Jacinto and the Salton Sea. In the pictures below you can see the San Andreas Fault.
After leaving Key Views we headed for Hidden Valley. This rock-enclosed valley was once rumored to be a hide out for Cattle Rustlers. This is the one hike that we did take - it was a 1 mile loop through a 55 acre valley surrounded by rock walls.
Hidden Valley is home to several ecosystems and has many plants and animals, including the yucca, Kingcup Catcus and the Lizard seen above. We also some Pinyon Pines and of course Joshua Trees.
Hidden Valley was our last hike of the day. We loaded up in the car, cranked the AC and headed to Palm Springs where we had much needed showers, a nice dinner and spent the night before heading back to Phoenix the next morning.