January means Joshua Tree

Guide: Northview / Maze / Window Rock Loop - (dayhike)

Living in Southern California offers the opportunity to get out of doors year-round. Sure, there are a few brief rainstorms (okay, sometimes they actually seem pretty interminable) during our short winter months, but being able to enjoy sunshine the rest of the year helps put this "indignation" into perspective. As long as you’ve got some decent cold and wet-weather gear, there’s no reason to put away the boots, pack and tent. We don’t have to deal with three feet of snow here, we just have to learn how to put on a few extra layers (of course if you’re like me, you give up the shorts and sandals reluctantly).

After the tumult of the holiday season has dimmed, and the desire to get back outdoors reasserts itself, my mind inevitably turns toward the SoCal deserts. We’ve hiked and camped in the major parks; Mojave National Preserve, Joshua Tree, and Anza-Borrego, as well as some not so major. And even though I can’t claim to know any of these amazing places really well, I have developed a favorite.

There’s something about Joshua Tree National Park that is, just…cool. It’s not simply beautiful, though it is that, and it’s not just otherworldly, though it is that as well. Joshua Tree, as Laura said when we were leaving the park the other day, is a big playground. It’s fun.

Recently, we drove out to the park to hike the Northview - Maze Loop trail. This is six miles of pure Joshua Tree-ness. The day included views of snow-capped San Gorgonio, the northern desert below us, and the unearthly Wonderland of Rocks. We walked the trail next to familiar desert plants (many of which punish a lack of respect), picked our way through amazing rock formations, and were treated to great views of the Thunderbird, a window in the rocks that seems to watch over you as you wander westward through a wash. Eventually we turned a bit north to work our way back to the trailhead. This last part of the trail is close to the road and less interesting, but that's just in comparison to the rest of the hike. There are still excellent views of the western mountains and that great JT scenery. In this park, relatively “less interesting” is still a great way to spend the day.