Day 21 - Joshua Tree

Date 7/10

Weather: Sunny

Expense
$0 today
$896 for the trip

Mileage: 360 today, 4,401 for the trip

Beer: 0 today, 24 for the trip

Pictures: homepage.mac.com/cenya/PhotoAlbum58.html

I woke up early. It was a good thing as I am back in hot desert weather. It was still quite cool. I drove to the North Entrance as the campsite is far from the road that goes through the park.

I first stopped at Oasis of Mara. It is located behind Oasis Visitor Center. It is a half-mile loop of boredom. I took some pictures of a cottontail.

I drove on Queen Valley road. I think I saw bobcats. It was so fast, but I am pretty sure they were felines of sort. It is my third time here at Joshua Tree, but it is still good to see Joshua trees and outrageous rock formations.

I walked to Barker Dam, where ranchers used to dam up waters for livestock. There were only one duck when I got there, but it was advertised for wildlife. On the way back, I got to see petroglyphs. It was awesome.

I went to Keys View next. I could drive to the top where I saw all around the park. It was nice, but where is the challenge. On the way back out, I hiked to Lost Horse Mine. It was starting to get warm. I am glad I took some water. It was a nice hike and I took some picture of the mine.

I was looking to go on Ryan’s Mountain. It is supposed to be about three-mile out and back trail. It was hard to do as it really heated up as I ascend the trail. It was a nice view of the park. It was especially nice payoff for the hike.

I stopped at the last visitor center, Cottonwood. I inquired with the ranger there about the last hike, Mastodon. It is another three-mile out and back trail. I was hastened about this one as it was almost two. It was really hot at this point. I thought things over while refilling water bottles and eating salty cheese and baguette. I could stay and do the last hike and see some other sights, but I did not want to stay in this hot desert another day. I gather together some courage (or tons of stupidity) and decided to do the last hike. I figured I would leave in high note.

The hike was not so bad, but the heat and sun were brutal. I really had a hard time with them. The hike’s payoff was another glorious 360-degree view of the park. I got to do my Spiderman impersonation when climbing the last boulder area. Only part I really hated was the river bottom like portions of the hike. I could not get good footings. I was so very happy to have finished my planned itinerary. I drove off cursing the high temperature. I guess I did not know what was waiting for me in Arizona for the next couple of weeks.