Who’s Up For Nice Hike – With Some “Rock Faces?”
Not talking about ours of course, but the incredible “rock faces” you can see at Joshua Tree National Park in California!
This massive national park, located halfway between California’s Pacific Ocean and the Arizona border, is perhaps best known as the title of the U2 album that had the classic hit “Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”. Imagine how cool it was for us to discover Joshua Tree and its iconic “rock faces!”
Yes, that’s “Skull Rock” – named for good reason! It’s just one of many incredible rock formations scattered throughout this unique park…like this one:
And what about that Eagle’s nest – built on a small tree branch jutting out of the rocks?
You see, there are rocks hanging around everywhere!
Ready For A Hike?
I’m going to take you on a 5-mile hike though some of the most beautiful rock formations in the park!
And just how big are these rocks?
That’s me hanging out with one of my favorite boulders…the size and scope of this park is staggering, so let’s get started on our hike:
As the official website notes, Joshua Tree National park is actually two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, which come together in Joshua Tree National Park. A fascinating variety of plants and animals make their homes in a land sculpted by strong winds and occasional torrents of rain. Dark night skies, a rich cultural history, and surreal geologic features add to the wonder of this vast wilderness in southern California.
As you can see, the trails are spacious and plentiful in the park, with lots of great markers and signs to show you all of the best rock formations, which are literally all around you – sometimes just hanging out on top of other rocks!
These rock towers seem haphazardly thrown around – it’s incredible what nature, given enough time, can do!
The park is named for the Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia) native to the Mojave Desert. Originally declared a national monument in 1936, Joshua Tree was redesignated as a national park in 1994. Encompassing a total of 790,636 acres (1,235.4 sq mi), the park includes 429,690 acres (671.4 sq mi) of designated wilderness.
But don’t worry, there is so much to explore!
Here’s a view:
Welcome to “Skull Rock!”
One of the park’s most famous faces, “Skull Rock” began long ago when rain drops accumulated in tiny depressions and started to erode the granite. As more rock eroded, more water accumulated, leading to more erosion until, as time passed, two hollowed-out eye sockets formed and the rock began to resemble a skull.
“Skull Rock” is easy to find, and from there, a 1.7-mile nature trail begins there that allows you to see ALL of the “faces” of Joshua Tree – look at some of these!
All this hiking can make someone hungry – so why not head to one of the America’s most unique restaurants – way out in the desert nearby!
Nikki Hill and Claire Wadsworth decided to open a restaurant in the middle of the Yucca valley east of Los Angeles – and it’s one of the most acclaimed culinary destinations in the country!
Alex and I ate there and of course loved it – what a way to end a day of “face rocking” in Joshua Tree!
The duo are releasing a cookbook and it’s a must have – all the details plus their tour schedule are here!
And since eyou are out in the middle of nowhere, why not check out a classic “ghost town?
Pioneertown is any but deserted – it’s perfectly preserved as an Wild West destination!
See more here:
About eight hours east will let you discover America’s most famous Wild West town:
Welcome To Tombstone!
Yes, the read town of Tombstone – where the “Gunfight At The OK Corral” took place!
Click here to see the town up close and more of the reenactment of the actual OK Corral gunfight!
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Categories: Art, Exotic Travel, Memoirs, nature, Pop Culture, Travel, Travel Adventures, Travel Memoir
johnrieber 
Thanks for posting I have two days to kill after a race in Bakersfield CA and Joshua Tree fits the bill Any suggestions for hotels in town?
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We have no scenery like that in the UK, John, so it’s great to see it on your post. Shared on Twitter.
Best wishes, Pete.
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What a fascinating place! Love that Skull Rock too. Looks very hot.
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joshua tree looks amazing and is such a unique place. it’s on my to visit list !
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