joshua.

Joshua Tree National Park - one of California’s nine National Parks.
I was visiting a friend in LA but after a day I quickly realized that LA is not my city and I just wanted to get away from the traffic and out in nature. So on my second day, I decided to get up at 4 am, drive out to the desert and watch the sunrise in between boulders and joshua trees. It was absolutely beautiful and no one else was around. It felt like I had the whole National Park to myself for the first few hours!

So I went on a few hikes, drove from one viewpoint to next, had a picnic in the sunshine and watched some climbers conquer the rugged terrain in front of me. Joshua Tree is not only a beautiful National Park but also a mecca for climbing. And the best thing is, it’s only a 2-hour drive from Los Angeles. So if you ever need a break from the city, just take a day off and drive out there. You won’t regret it!

Here are some of my favourite hikes and places I recommend seeing when visiting Joshua Tree:
 

Split Rock Loop Trail - loved this trail and barley saw anyone else around

Skull Rock- this loop trail takes you past some amazing rock formations and as the name suggests, one kind of looks like a skull

Hall of Horrors area - another short and easy loop trail, also watched the climbers on the nearby boulders

Hidden Valley Nature Trail - another really lovely and easy hike

Keys View - beautiful views over Coachella Valley and the desert mountains

Cholla Cactus Garden Trail - lots of people stop here on their way in or out of the park but I still liked how different this little patch was in comparison to the rest of the park

 

Hopefully, this will help you plan your trip to this remarkable place! Let me know if you have any other recommendations and I will add them to the list!

P.S: Here is a Joshua Tree National Park related book recommendation for you: Things I Learned From Falling by Claire Nelson is an incredible true story of how Claire survived multiple days in the wilderness of Joshua Tree without being able to walk or move much after she fell on a hike.