SA Report: Social, so to speak

Trip Date: 4/24/2016

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: A beautiful loop trail that, taken as a dayhike, is about 12 miles. I took it as a return trip from an overnight at Juniper Flats and enjoyed it immensely. The path is well-designed, and even though it travels through washes in several different spots it remains easy to follow. Even the end of the loop trail that descends through a canyon that shows the scars of a fire was an interesting experience.

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

Type: Point (campsite) to point (trailhead)

Distance: 10 miles 

Elevation: Min. - 4273’, Max. - 4943'

Profile:

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

Notes: On the southwestern most corner of the track you can see a little bit of red line sticking out. This is a side trip to an overlook called Fan Canyon Viewpoint. You may be tempted, in the middle of this long hike, not to indulge this diversion, but don't succumb. When I reached to overlook the word "Wow" popped unbidden from my lips. It's a quite spectacular view, looking down a precipitous drop into a deep canyon and out over the Palm Springs area.

Track: Stubbe Spring trail - Joshua Tree NP:  Everytrail, Gaia

Turn by turn:

  -- This hike begins by breaking camp at the north end of Juniper Flats and traveling south cross-country to find the north end of the old dirt road that leads up to the Flats area. (Assuming you've done your due diligence in keeping track of landmarks as you hiked out to this spot, you'll regain the road easily.)

  -- On on the sandy old road head south, keeping an eye out for the unmarked junction with the California Riding and Hiking Trail (CRHT) - it's easy to miss. From here you can head east to pick up the Stubbe Spring Loop trail at the junction. Knowing that the Stubbe Spring trail would end up coming back to the west, I kept on the old road as it headed south and came to another old dirt road heading off to the west a short distance later. Checking my maps (and gps), and feeling confident I was in the right place, I turned right onto the Stubbe Spring Loop trail.

  -- The path begins to descend and round the west side of a low set of hills. You are greeted with excellent canyon views as you wind down and through a narrow wash. Eventually you rise steeply out of the left side of the wash and climb as the trail circles to the southeast. On your right you'll soon see Stubbe Spring (such as it is).

  -- The path continues a quick series of winding ups and downs before entering a wash. This begins a longish but easy climb through the pretty, sandy creek bed as you rise to the Fan Canyon View junction. Turn right (south) to take in this amazing scene (this side trip adds about a half-mile to the trip but it's well worth it).

  -- After returning from the overlook, turn right (east) and continue a short distance before the path abruptly leaves the wash and heads north, climbing up and over some hills.

  -- Eventually the trail flattens out before heading east just a bit and beginning a descent through a canyon that is scarred from a significant burn. Upon exiting the canyon the trail meets another section of old road. Turn right (east) here and follow the road for about a mile before coming to a signed junction on the left. Turn here (north) for the few hundred yard jog back to the California Riding and Hiking Trail.

  -- Turn right (east) on the CRHT and follow the gradually descending trail back to your car.

Photo Gallery: Flickr

Video: Youtube