The otherworldly landscape of Joshua Tree National Park is transporting.
Joshua Tree National Park Photo © Alice Joyce
One’s senses are heightened when taking in the powerful juxtaposition of wondrous rock formations and the oddly entrancing forms of Joshua Trees marching across the desert’s hills and flatlands.
Joshua Tree Silhouettes Photo © Alice Joyce
I had vowed to return to the park after an all-too-brief foray a few years ago; managing but one hike on a perfect winter’s day in bright sunshine. Checking into our hotel after driving from Borrego Springs, we set out immediately for Joshua Tree, knowing that a rainstorm was predicted for the following day: A day when I had planned to spend long hours exploring the park.
Yucca brevifolia – Joshua Tree
- Joshua Tree Rockscape Photo © Alice Joyce
By the time we arrived in mid-afternoon, the weather system at Joshua Tree had rapidly shifted. The sky threatened rain, and the strength of the bitterly cold wind at the Keys View overlook nearly toppled me as I stood facing a vista of the Little San Bernardino Mountains.
- Joshua Tree – Keys View Overlook (Photo: Alice Joyce)
Despite knowing I would not be returning the following day for another hike in the sun, I felt thankful to have caught a ‘window’ before the storm hit. Although too early in the season to see the Joshua trees in bloom, their presence was a stirring sight. (The park’s succulent species generally flower in April or May.)
- Joshua Tree Panicle: Wikipedia
The parkland spans diverse ecosystems; taking in a section of the Colorado Desert – part of the vast Sonoran Desert, the Mojave, and an area of the Little San Bernardino Mountain range. The flora encompasses Palo verde (Cercidium) and pencil cholla (Cylindropuntia), smoketree, ocotillo (Fouqueria), and chuparosa (Justicia). It’s the north part of the park that is, in fact, the southern boundary of the Mojave Desert: the special habitat where you’ll see the Joshua tree – Yucca brevifolia, looking palm-like to some eyes.
Created by age-old volcanic activity, the parkland’s ‘rockpiles’
– stunning geologic formations – are breathtaking and mesmerizing.
Even in its starkness, there is a beauty in and around the rock formations and the dry sand.
I saw this tree the other day on a blog and did not know what it was. Thanks for the ID. It has such a cool shape.
Another place I keep meaning to visit, but have never been to! I really need to get out more. Thank you for the beautiful tour Alice.
There some crazy looking rock piles there. Off to drink a glass of water now, for some reason that post as made me thirsty??????
There is a succulent forest north of us. The plant has an Afrikaans name – halfmens. There is a legend that the people had to leave their homeland, and they gaze back with longing. All the trees turn the heads to the sun.
Alice your last posts are fascinant iamges for me because they are so different than the landscape I live in now, but in some ways they remind me of the South of Spain, they are beautiful in their way, I love arids landscapes!
Loveed your describing the JT’s as marching, because thewy do somehow seem to be on the move!
You’d need to be careful doing your physical jerks with such spiky foliage around!
Keep delivering us these wonderful gems Alice, that is all we ask!
Best
R