Camping Joshua Tree NP (Oct. 13, 2007)   by 

We agreed to meet on Saturday at 7:30 a.m. at Carl's (Hwy 14 and San Fernando), but unfortunately it didn't happen. Well, what happened was, on Friday night it rained which was not a very good start for our camping trip, and there was a huge accident on Fwy 5 causing closures at Newhall Pass (junction of I-5 and I-14). It was chaos for everybody, however, Pete, Gudy, Sonny, and Ernie somehow managed to navigate their way to the rendezvous, one hour later. Initially, we were going to have breakfast in Palmdale, but due to the unforeseen situation, we decided to eat at Carl's while waiting for the others to arrive. Pete's cell phone was inoperative (water damaged at Friday Bike Night) so we were unable to contact the others.  After waiting for an hour, unsure if anyone would show up, we decided that it was time to depart. It was 9:30 a.m., the temperature a cool 70 deg. F with plenty of sunshine. Ernie led the way northbound on Sierra Hwy with his little toy (Goldwing), Pete with his sport tourer, Sonny with his Goldwing pulling a trailer, and Gudy with his rare BMW. Sonny's trailer contained a large cooler filled with bottled water, Spanish rice, thick juicy steaks, corn, Italian sausages, eggs, tea, chocolate mix, etc. From Sierra Hwy, we connected to Hwy 138 eastbound. For a couple of years now 138 has been closed near Wrightwood which is now open. This newly constructed blacktop was a treat as we descended towards I-15, overlooking at the Chevron gas station where we made our first stop. At this station, we filled up our gas tanks, emptied our bladder and refilled it.

       

         

We continued on 138 to 173 northbound. Hwy 173 is new to all of us. This short strip of infrequently travelled hwy seems to be well maintained which have ranches and nice homes on the hillside. As we reached Victorville, we headed southbound on Bear Valley Rd. which turns into Hwy 18 and finally Hwy 247 a.k.a Old Woman Springs Rd that T's with Hwy 62 in Yucca Valley.

         

         

The town of Yucca Valley is located in southern California's San Bernardino County on the northern edge of Joshua Tree National Park. It is among a group communities, including Joshua Tree, Landers and Twentynine Palms, occupying the Morongo Basin of the southeastern Mojave Desert. We headed eastbound on Hwy 62 to the town of Joshua Tree where the West Entrance is located.

         

         

Joshua Tree National Park is immense, nearly 800,000 acres, and infinitely variable. This is a land shaped by strong winds, sudden torrents of rain, and climatic extremes.

         

         

Two deserts, two large ecosystems primarily determined by elevation, which come together in the park. Few areas more vividly illustrate the contrast between "high" and "low" desert. Below 3,000 feet the Colorado Desert, occupying the eastern half of the park, is dominated by the abundant creosote bush. Adding interest to this arid land are small stands of spidery ocotillo and cholla cactus.

         

               

         

The higher, slightly cooler, and wetter Mojave Desert is the special habitat of the undisciplined Joshua tree, extensive stands of which occur throughout the western half of the park. The park encompasses some of the most interesting geologic displays found in California’s deserts. Rugged mountains of twisted rock and exposed granite monoliths testify to the tremendous earth forces that shaped and formed this land.

         

         

         

         

         

         

         

Park Boulevard is about 38 miles of smooth asphalt and moderately twisty. It starts like a dancer slowly limbering up for a major performance. This road must have been designed by a motorcyclist. Between its glut of zig zagging and waggling pavement, as well as all those breathtaking views, we had an ear to ear grin all the way to our campsite.

         

         

         

         

         

         

         

It was about 5 p.m. when we reached the campsite. Tents were set up then it was time to relax. We talked how much fun our brothers had missed, but it would have been more fun it they were there with us. Dinner was prepared by Chef San'tiago. His grilled steak was thick, tender and juicy, and, of course, Brenda's spanish rice is always terrific.  After dinner, BS session continued, but did not last very long. At approximately 10 p.m., temperature dropped to about 52 deg. F. We didn't bring any firewood. It was time to turn in.

                    

                

         

         

         

Next morning, Ernie woke up first and made coffee. This morning was warmer than last night. The BS session continued while we ate breakfast and at around 9 a.m. every one was packed and ready to go. Of course, so much fun does have its downside in that it is hard to tear oneself away from such a playground, but there's always next time.....

 

top