Joshua Tree National Park

California , Joshua Tree , Joshua Tree National Park

Sources: Joshua Tree: The Story Behind the Scenery (Delcie H. Vuncannon), On Foot in Joshua Tree National Park (Patty Furbush) History: Before it was a national park, Joshua Tree was a popular place for mining. Numerous mines and settlements were built throughout the park, one of the most famous the Queen Mine and Bill Keys Ranch, both which are available for the public to tour today. Thankfully, in 1936 a wealthy woman by the name of Minerva Hamilton Hoyt convinced President Roosevelt to declare the area a national monument, for fear that the desert would be damaged by cars and people. In 1994, under the Desert Protection Act, the park was expanded and upgraded to a national park. Flora/Fauna: If it’s your first time driving through Joshua Tree National Park, you will be truly astounded. Crossing the boundaries of both the Colorado and Mojave deserts, the park offers two unique and different desert ecosystems, and many surprises. It is well known for its unique geological formations of pinto gneiss and monzogranite. These jumbled piles of rocks make you feel like you are on another planet. A similar out of this world experience is felt by driving through forests of Joshua Trees (Yucca brevifolia), weird, scraggly trees that are actually a member of the lily family. The park is home to typical desert fauna, such as coyotes, desert bighorn sheep, chuckwalla, rattlesnakes and birds such as the cactus wren. Coyote may often be seen along roadsides, and desert bighorn sheep are commonly seen by visitors along the Barker Dam trail. Please respect their habitat and do not approach them. Activities/other: Joshua Tree National Park is well developed with numerous trails and visitors centres. Some key highlights not to miss are the wonderland of rocks, especially the Arch Rock Trail for a moonlike experience. Keys View is a lookout point that on a clear day offers views of the Salton Sea and even Mexico. In the Pinto Basin you’ll find the Cholla Cactus Trail which loops around a dense patch of this prickly cactus. The park is also home to five desert palm oases in both the southern and northern portion of the park. And of course, it is also known as a mecca for rock climbing – there is something for everyone! Description by Barbi Lynn Lazarus.