Trip Guides

Juniper Flats (backpack)

SA Report: Social, so to speak

Trip Date: 4/23/2016

Location: Joshua Tree National Park

Permit/Pass: 7 Day Permit ($15), JT Annual Pass ($30) or National Parks Pass

Trails: NPS Joshua Tree Map, Covington backcountry board 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 10.5 miles on Park Boulevard to the junction with Keys View Rd. on the right. Turn right onto Keys View Rd. (also called Salton View Rd.) and drive a little over a mile to a right turn into the the parking lot for the Juniper Flats backcountry board. 

Synopsis: If you're a wildflower fan, and you hit this trail at just the right time, the first few miles out of the trailhead can be spectacularly colorful and varied. Of course even if the flowers disappoint the scenery in Joshua Tree never does. The hike to Juniper Flats is relatively flat and straightforward, ending with a night spent in an open and beautifully wild part of the park. Strangely, the further you travel into the Flats area the fewer Junipers you see.

Trail sequence: California Riding and Hiking Trail / old road / off-trail

Type: Point (trailhead) to point (campsite)

Distance: 5.6 miles 

Elevation: Min. - 4265’, Max. - 4959'

Profile:

Rating: Moderate (factors: heat, route-finding, off-trail)

Notes: The campsite I picked is in the foothills east of Quail Mtn., the highest point in Joshua Tree. This is a good spot from which to climb the mountain, however I picked the wrong course and ended up exploring a different ridge (I had been to the summit previously so wasn't particularly driven this time). In Patty Furbush's book about Joshua Tree - On Foot in Joshua Tree National Park - one can find some good detail about how to climb Quail from this side.

Track: Juniper Flats - Joshua Tree NP: Everytrail, Gaia

 

Turn by turn:

  -- The trail begins at the northeast corner of the lot. It heads north directly past the backcountry board (be sure to fill out the permit and leave the appropriate portion in the slot). After just a few yards the trail turns to the west. You are now on the California Riding and Hiking Trail (CRHT), a path that runs about 37 miles from the northwest to northeast ends of the park.

  -- From here the path is uncomplicated. You travel west for the next four-plus miles, gently ascending to Juniper Flats. There are junctions for the Stubbe Spring Loop trail along the way, but you remain on the CRHT.

  -- Just a short distance beyond the 4.5 mile mark you come upon an old road intersecting the trail (there is no marker). Turn right and follow the sandy road as it rises to the broad Juniper Flats area.

  -- After about a half-mile the road ends. Travel from this point on is cross country. As my intention was to climb Quail Mountain, I headed directly north toward a rocky ledge at the eastern base of the hills.

         
Campsite: Backcountry primitive        
         
  • I made camp on a slightly raised ledge overlooking a wash draining to the east of Quail Mountain. The rocky ledge offers tremendous views east to the Wonderland area as well as Ryan Mountain, and south toward the San Bernardino Mts. 
  • There is no water source. You must pack in all you're going to need.
  • No fires are allowed in the backcountry.
  • Remember to leave no trace of your presence here. 
 

Photo Gallery: Flickr

Video: Youtube