SA Report: Johnny Lang eludes us
Trip Date: 11/1/2015
Location: Joshua Tree National Park
Permit/Pass: 7 Day Permit (On foot - $10, Motorcycle or bike - $10, Car - $20), JT Annual Pass ($30) or National Parks Pass
Trail maps: NPS Joshua Tree Map, NPS Ryan Mountain map
Directions: From Hwy 62 (Twentynine Palms Highway) in Yucca Valley follow the signs to JTNP (south on Park Blvd - Quail Springs Rd - National Park Dr) to the kiosk at the Northwest entrance. Drive 5.8 miles on Park Boulevard to a right turn into the Quail Springs parking area. The hike begins in or next to the wash leaving from the west side of the back parking lot.
Synopsis: Johnny Lang Canyon is an amazing spot, especially when you reach the gorgeous rocky area where the old mine is located. Taking the old canyon route and then looping back via the connector trail offers a trek through varying habitats, capped with tremendous view on the return descent.
Trail sequence: Quail Springs Historic Trail / Johnny Lang Canyon (old road/wash/trail) / Johnny Lang connector trail / Quail Springs Historic Trail
Type: Loop
Distance: 6.7 miles
Elevation: Min. - 4296’, Max. - 3762'
Profile:
Rating: Moderate-Difficult (factors: off-trail, route-finding, some scrambling, heat)
Notes: Keep in mind that at least half of this hike is essentially off-trail. There will be route-finding through washes, up and over hills and across open desert. There will be some scrambling over and around boulder fields. Defined trails can be hard to find. There is some effort involved, but this won't be a terribly challenging hike provided you've got a map and compass and know how to use them (we also used a GPS trails program on an iPad that was quite helpful for corroboration of our course). If you treat all of this as part of the fun, and are prepared for it, you'll have a great time.
Also, keep in mind that a 6.7 mile hike over flat terrain can take just a couple of hours and barely break a sweat. But be aware of your skills and conditioning and realize that a 6.7 mile hike that requires route-finding, scrambling and off-trail travel will likely take much longer.
Track: Johnny Lang Canyon - Joshua Tree NP
Turn by turn:
-- I scouted this hike several times before actually taking it. Unlike much of the rest of the park, the trails here are not well marked (or even marked at all) and I actually had to check satellite pictures to be sure that the Quail Springs Historic Trail you find on the park's maps and other trail maps (e.g., Tom Harrison) is actually the wash leading off to the west (actually a bit north of west) from the west side of the back parking lot. Take this path and head toward the north terminus of the hills just to the west of the area.
-- Along the way there does appear now and then a trail slipping in and out of the wash. It is important, though not critical, to pick up this trail as it leaves the wash about a half-mile into the hike because it is here that the trail persists and, after a short distance, turns and heads directly west while the wash continues to the northwest. Look for another, larger wash joining your path from the south for a signal that you should keep an eye out for the trail leaving from the left bank. (It is also at or near this junction that your return trip, if you follow the trail maps, will reconnect and turn back to the trailhead.)
-- Following the trail for another half mile or so, passing the base of the hills on your left (south), brings you to the mouth of Johnny Lang Canyon on the left (south). The guides we read talk about a road or a trail the leads up through the canyon. We opted to just head for the wash and worked our way up the canyon that way, now and then encountering and taking advantage of an on-again off-again trail that seemed to stick to the right (west) side of the gully. If it is part of your plan, keep a look out for the spur trail to the cabin along this part of the hike.*
-- As the canyon turns to the east, it begins to open up and the rock ridges become visible up ahead. Watch for a wash leading off to the right (south) above which there are a couple of rock piles. We chose to follow advice from one guide and leave the main canyon here and head up between these rock piles (one of which almost looks constructed) where we found the trail once again. Follow this trail as it heads for the large boulder hill seemingly in the middle of the opened canyon area. Keep an eye out for cairns (or "ducks") from this point on.
-- As you cross over a low point in the prominent boulder hill you drop down into and cross a small wash. Here, if you're interested in searching for the Johnny Lang Mine, is where you'll want to continue south rather than heading east on the Johnny Lang connector trail.*
-- Follow the cairns as you make your way east over rocks and through gullies on the Johnny Lang connector sort-of-trail (as mentioned before, a map and compass are essential, and GPS doesn't hurt).
-- Eventually you'll circle to the north and begin descending before entering another wash heading directly north. Follow this wash for a while (be careful of which wash you follow, there are several that parallel each other) before coming to a point where it turns east. Here you'll want to leave to the north and find the faint trail that takes you up over the hill and down into a canyon that spills out onto the desert floor below. Views to the northeast - including the Quail Springs picnic area - are spectacular.
-- Soon the rocky gully gives way to trail once more, and then unsurprisingly gives way to rocks again as you pick your way down to the east toward a broad wash below.
-- Upon reaching the wash head north-northwest if you want to follow the guidebooks. We chose to head just a bit east of north across the wash and over flat desert, skirting a large mound on our right (east) and eventually regained the outbound QSH Trail. Turn right (east) to follow the trail/wash the short distance back to the parking area.
[*There is a Johnny Lang "Cabin" to be found on the hike, as well as an abandoned mine. We somehow missed the cabin, or at least the spot where you leave the canyon floor and look for it, and to be frank we don't have that much interest in abandoned mines, preferring instead the terrain, the wildlife and the botany. However should you be looking for the cabin all we can say is to check guidebooks and web accounts. If you wish to visit the mine you will have to extend this hike as the turnoff is a bit past the junction with the Johnny Lang connector trail. Continue south up the canyon and the mine is up in the hills to the southwest.]
Photos: Flickr
Video: Youtube