Camp at Joshua Tree National Park

JUMBO ROCKS CAMPGROUND

JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK

April 14-17, 2011

Latitude: 33° 99.167 N

Longitude: 116° 06.556 W

Elevation: 4,400 ft.

Introduction: Jumbo Rocks Campground is one of nine campgrounds located in Joshua Tree National Park. Joshua Tree National Park was established on October 31, 1994, and consists of 794,000 square acres. The Park’s main attractions are forests of giant Joshua trees, massive rock formations, seasonal gardens of cholla, ocotillo, and other cacti, and gold-mining ruins.

Directions/fees: From Santa Clarita, take the I-5 south to the 210 east. Take the 210 east to the 10 east. Exit at California 62 (Twenty-nine Palms Highway). (Which way do I turn?)Take California 62 until you reach the town of Twenty-nine Palms. (You will pass the West entrance to the Park in the town of Joshua Tree.) (Do I pass this entrance?) Make a right, shortly after entering Twenty-nine Palms, on Utah Trail. You will see a sign that says “Oasis Visitor Center” and “North Entrance Station” where you need to make your right. (The same right or another right?) You will pay your entrance fee to the Park ($10.00 per vehicle for seven consecutive days) and your campground fee ($10.00 per site per night) at the North Entrance Station. (Can spaces be shared? How many tents/people/cars per site is allowed?)

Once you enter through the North Entrance Station, continue on that road (which becomes Park Boulevard), until a road forks off to the right (Loop Road). There should be a sign that tells you to make a right there, to go to Jumbo Rocks Campground. If you miss the right turn, and continue on the same road, you will see a sign for Belle Campground. You are going the wrong way and need to turn back. Shortly after you make the right turn, you will see a sign for Jumbo Rocks, which will be on the left side of the road. Make the left and enter the campground.

*** PICTURE***

Description: The campground is located in the “Jumbo Rocks”, a product of this region’s seismic activity and flow of springs watering the Park’s oases. Here, campers will likely see climbers scaling the monoliths or at least camp with people from far-away places who have traveled to Joshua Tree National Park for the spectacular climbing experience.

Amenities and Rules: Jumbo Rocks Campground has 124 campsites, which are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Each campsite is limited to six people, three tents, and two vehicles (a vehicle towing a trailer, popup, tent trailer, fifth wheel or motorhome pulling a vehicle is considered two vehicles. (How will people know ahead of time if they can share a site??) There are no official RV sites (although some sites do fit RVs). There are no RV hookups.

Each campsite has a concrete picnic table and fire grate. Fires are permitted in the fire grates only. (Are these like campfire rings? Or BBQs?) All vegetation in the Park is protected. If you want to have a campfire, you must bring your own firewood.

There are vault toilets throughout the campground which are usually well maintained. You may want to consider bringing your own toilet paper.

All food must be placed in containers that are capable of preventing access by wildlife. Rangers give tickets for not complying with this regulation! Any scented or odorous items must be similarly stored. (Are there bears there?) (Is it okay to leave food and odorous stuff in the car?)

Trash dumpsters are located at the entrance to the campground. You may therefore want to consider bringing your own trashcan, which you can keep at your campsite and use throughout the day, so that you will only have to make one trip at the end of the day to empty your trashcan into the dumpster.

Dogs are allowed in the campground, so long as they are on a leash. However, dogs are not allowed on any trails and cannot be more than 100 feet from any road, picnic area, or campground. In addition, dogs cannot be left unattended at any time, not even in a vehicle. If you own a dog and plan on doing any hiking, you should leave your dog at home.

There is NO water available at this campground. PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN WATER. It is recommended that you bring one gallon per person per day, and two gallons per each person who plans to hike. Water and flush toilets are available at the Oasis Visitor Center, which is located on the same road as the North Entrance to the Park (just prior to the North Entrance).

Ranger programs on various topics related to the Park are provided in the Jumbo Rocks amphitheater each Friday and Saturday nights at 7:00 p.m. No reservations are required and the programs are free.

Quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Generator use is limited to six hours a day (7:00 to 9:00 a.m., noon to 2:00 p.m., and 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.)

Check in/out time is ___ p.m.

Weather: The average temperatures for April at Jumbo Rocks Campground are highs in the low 70s and lows about 40. Winds are usually strong in the desert, including Joshua Tree National Park. Expect very strong winds; bring appropriate clothing and gear.

Advisory: There is little to no cell phone service in the Park. Plan on not being able to use your cell phone while you are in the Park. Bring an FRS radio with you, if you have one (turned to Channel 8).

Hikes: We plan to do several, short hikes during our stay at Joshua Tree National Park, so that we can hopefully see the more interesting rock formations and some abandoned mines and stamp mills. Time permitting, the hikes will likely include Skull Rock Loop (1.7 mile loop), Ryan Mountain Trail (2.8 miles in-and-out), Lost Horse Mine (4 miles in-and-out or 6.2 mile loop), Barker Dam/Wall Street Mill Trail (2.2 miles roundtrip or 4.8 miles if combined with the Barker Dam Nature Trail), Arch Rock Trail (0.3 mile loop, with a short side-trip to a little-known area), 49 Palms Oasis Trail (3 miles in-and-out) and Indian Cove Nature Trail (0.5 mile loop).

On our hikes, it is important to remember that all archaeological sites and remains, including rock art, are protected and may not be disturbed. Climbing within 50 feet of rock art is prohibited. Extreme caution must be used when in the presence of old mine workings. Fencing around old mine workings must never be entered.

RSVP: To R.S.V.P. for this camping trip, contact Dianne by email at zuliebear@aol.com . Due to the fact that reservations are not accepted for Jumbo Rocks Campground, and the fact that camping fees are paid together with your entrance fee as you enter the Park, Dianne cannot reserve a camping site for you. If you plan to arrive late on Friday (or even later), try to arrange with another hiking club member, who will be arriving earlier than you, to reserve a spot for you in his/her campsite. Dianne will try to arrange people together in campsites. Please let her know your desire and willingness to share a space.

JUMBO ROCKS CAMPGROUND

JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK

April 14-17, 2011

Latitude: 33° 99.167 N

Longitude: 116° 06.556 W

Elevation: 4,400 ft.

Introduction: Jumbo Rocks Campground is one of nine campgrounds located in Joshua Tree National Park. Joshua Tree National Park was established on October 31, 1994, and consists of 794,000 square acres. The Park’s main attractions are forests of giant Joshua trees, massive rock formations, seasonal gardens of cholla, ocotillo, and other cacti, and gold-mining ruins.

Directions/fees: From Santa Clarita, take the I-5 south to the 210 east. Take the 210 east to the 10 east. Exit at California 62 (Twenty-nine Palms Highway). (Which way do I turn?)Take California 62 until you reach the town of Twenty-nine Palms. (You will pass the West entrance to the Park in the town of Joshua Tree.) (Do I pass this entrance?) Make a right, shortly after entering Twenty-nine Palms, on Utah Trail. You will see a sign that says “Oasis Visitor Center” and “North Entrance Station” where you need to make your right. (The same right or another right?) You will pay your entrance fee to the Park ($10.00 per vehicle for seven consecutive days) and your campground fee ($10.00 per site per night) at the North Entrance Station. (Can spaces be shared? How many tents/people/cars per site is allowed?)

Once you enter through the North Entrance Station, continue on that road (which becomes Park Boulevard), until a road forks off to the right (Loop Road). There should be a sign that tells you to make a right there, to go to Jumbo Rocks Campground. If you miss the right turn, and continue on the same road, you will see a sign for Belle Campground. You are going the wrong way and need to turn back. Shortly after you make the right turn, you will see a sign for Jumbo Rocks, which will be on the left side of the road. Make the left and enter the campground.

*** PICTURE***

Description: The campground is located in the “Jumbo Rocks”, a product of this region’s seismic activity and flow of springs watering the Park’s oases. Here, campers will likely see climbers scaling the monoliths or at least camp with people from far-away places who have traveled to Joshua Tree National Park for the spectacular climbing experience.

Amenities and Rules: Jumbo Rocks Campground has 124 campsites, which are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Each campsite is limited to six people, three tents, and two vehicles (a vehicle towing a trailer, popup, tent trailer, fifth wheel or motorhome pulling a vehicle is considered two vehicles. (How will people know ahead of time if they can share a site??) There are no official RV sites (although some sites do fit RVs). There are no RV hookups.

Each campsite has a concrete picnic table and fire grate. Fires are permitted in the fire grates only. (Are these like campfire rings? Or BBQs?) All vegetation in the Park is protected. If you want to have a campfire, you must bring your own firewood.

There are vault toilets throughout the campground which are usually well maintained. You may want to consider bringing your own toilet paper.

All food must be placed in containers that are capable of preventing access by wildlife. Rangers give tickets for not complying with this regulation! Any scented or odorous items must be similarly stored. (Are there bears there?) (Is it okay to leave food and odorous stuff in the car?)

Trash dumpsters are located at the entrance to the campground. You may therefore want to consider bringing your own trashcan, which you can keep at your campsite and use throughout the day, so that you will only have to make one trip at the end of the day to empty your trashcan into the dumpster.

Dogs are allowed in the campground, so long as they are on a leash. However, dogs are not allowed on any trails and cannot be more than 100 feet from any road, picnic area, or campground. In addition, dogs cannot be left unattended at any time, not even in a vehicle. If you own a dog and plan on doing any hiking, you should leave your dog at home.

There is NO water available at this campground. PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN WATER. It is recommended that you bring one gallon per person per day, and two gallons per each person who plans to hike. Water and flush toilets are available at the Oasis Visitor Center, which is located on the same road as the North Entrance to the Park (just prior to the North Entrance).

Ranger programs on various topics related to the Park are provided in the Jumbo Rocks amphitheater each Friday and Saturday nights at 7:00 p.m. No reservations are required and the programs are free.

Quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Generator use is limited to six hours a day (7:00 to 9:00 a.m., noon to 2:00 p.m., and 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.)

Check in/out time is ___ p.m.

Weather: The average temperatures for April at Jumbo Rocks Campground are highs in the low 70s and lows about 40. Winds are usually strong in the desert, including Joshua Tree National Park. Expect very strong winds; bring appropriate clothing and gear.

Advisory: There is little to no cell phone service in the Park. Plan on not being able to use your cell phone while you are in the Park. Bring an FRS radio with you, if you have one (turned to Channel 8).

Hikes: We plan to do several, short hikes during our stay at Joshua Tree National Park, so that we can hopefully see the more interesting rock formations and some abandoned mines and stamp mills. Time permitting, the hikes will likely include Skull Rock Loop (1.7 mile loop), Ryan Mountain Trail (2.8 miles in-and-out), Lost Horse Mine (4 miles in-and-out or 6.2 mile loop), Barker Dam/Wall Street Mill Trail (2.2 miles roundtrip or 4.8 miles if combined with the Barker Dam Nature Trail), Arch Rock Trail (0.3 mile loop, with a short side-trip to a little-known area), 49 Palms Oasis Trail (3 miles in-and-out) and Indian Cove Nature Trail (0.5 mile loop).

On our hikes, it is important to remember that all archaeological sites and remains, including rock art, are protected and may not be disturbed. Climbing within 50 feet of rock art is prohibited. Extreme caution must be used when in the presence of old mine workings. Fencing around old mine workings must never be entered.

RSVP: To R.S.V.P. for this camping trip, contact Dianne by email at zuliebear@aol.com . Due to the fact that reservations are not accepted for Jumbo Rocks Campground, and the fact that camping fees are paid together with your entrance fee as you enter the Park, Dianne cannot reserve a camping site for you. If you plan to arrive late on Friday (or even later), try to arrange with another hiking club member, who will be arriving earlier than you, to reserve a spot for you in his/her campsite. Dianne will try to arrange people together in campsites. Please let her know your desire and willingness to share a space.

JUMBO ROCKS CAMPGROUND

JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK

April 14-17, 2011

Latitude: 33° 99.167 N

Longitude: 116° 06.556 W

Elevation: 4,400 ft.

Introduction: Jumbo Rocks Campground is one of nine campgrounds located in Joshua Tree National Park. Joshua Tree National Park was established on October 31, 1994, and consists of 794,000 square acres. The Park’s main attractions are forests of giant Joshua trees, massive rock formations, seasonal gardens of cholla, ocotillo, and other cacti, and gold-mining ruins.

Directions/fees: Your drive time will be a little more than 2 ½ hours. From Santa Clarita, take the I-5 south to the 210 east. Take the 210 east to the 10 east. Take exit number 117 (California 62 - Twenty-nine Palms – Yucca Valley). This exit is about 1 ½ miles east of the Whitewater exit. On the 62, you will drive through the towns of Yucca Valley and Joshua Tree. In the town of Joshua Tree, you will see a sign for the West entrance to the Park. Do not turn there; keep going on 62 until you reach the town of Twenty-nine Palms (about 44 miles from the turn off at I-10).

After you have traveled through most of the town of Twenty-nine Palms, look for a large brown sign on your right that says, “Joshua Tree National Park”. Make a right at that sign, on Utah Trail. Proceed on Utah Trail for about 4 miles, until you come to the Park entrance (North Entrance). This is where you will pay your entrance fee to the Park ($15.00 per vehicle for seven consecutive days), OR you may purchase a Joshua Tree Pass for $30.00 or a Federal Lands Pass (which is good for all federal recreation sites) for $80.00. Both of these passes are good for one year. A Senior Pass may be purchased by U.S. citizens who are 62 or older, for $10.00. It is good for life.

Once you enter through the North Entrance Station, continue on that road (which becomes Park Boulevard), until the road forks off to the right (Loop Road), about 5 miles after you enter the Park. As you take the right fork, you will see a sign that tells you the distance to various campgrounds, including Jumbo Rocks Campground. If you miss the right fork, and go to the left, you will see a sign for Belle Campground. You are going the wrong way and need to turn back. About 4 miles after the fork in the road, you will see a sign for Jumbo Rocks. The sign will be on the right side of the road (pointing to the left) and the campground will be on the left side of the road. Make the left and enter the campground.

Description: The campground is located in the “Jumbo Rocks”, a product of this region’s seismic activity and flow of springs watering the Park’s oases. Here, campers will likely see climbers scaling the monoliths or at least camp with people from far-away places who have traveled to Joshua Tree National Park for the spectacular climbing experience.

Amenities and Rules: Jumbo Rocks Campground has 124 campsites, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The fee for camping is $10.00 per night, per campsite. Each campsite is limited to six people, three tents, and two vehicles (a vehicle towing a trailer, popup, tent trailer, fifth wheel or motor home pulling a vehicle is considered two vehicles). All tents, tarps, sleeping bags, sleeping areas, and equipment must be within 25 feet of the picnic table or fire grate in the campsite.

There are no official RV sites (although some sites do fit RVs). There are no RV hookups.

Each campsite has a concrete picnic table, barbecue grill, and fire grate. Fires are permitted in the fire grates only. All vegetation in the Park is protected. If you want to have a campfire, you must bring your own firewood.

There are vault toilets throughout the campground which are usually well maintained. However, you may want to consider bringing your own toilet paper, in case you do not like the quality of the paper or in case they run out of paper.

All food must be placed in containers that are capable of preventing access by wildlife. Keep all food in your vehicle, or in hard-sided containers that have snaps, locks, or other devices to keep ravens, coyotes, and other wildlife from eating it. Scented or odorous items must be similarly stored. Rangers give tickets for not complying with this regulation!

Trash dumpsters are located throughout the campground. Trash cans are not located at individual campsites, so you may want to consider bringing your own trashcan, which you can keep at your campsite and use throughout the day, so that you will only have to make one trip at the end of the day to empty your trash can into the dumpster. Leaving camping equipment, site alterations, or refuse after departing from a campsite is prohibited.

Dogs are allowed in the campground, as long as they are on a leash. However, dogs are not allowed on any trails and cannot be more than 100 feet from any road, picnic area, or campground. In addition, dogs cannot be left unattended at any time, not even in a vehicle. If you own a dog and plan on doing any hiking, you should leave your dog at home.

There is NO water available at this campground. PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN WATER. It is recommended that you bring one gallon per person per day, and two gallons per each person who plans to hike. Water and flush toilets are available at the Oasis Visitor Center, which is located on the same road as the North Entrance to the Park (just prior to the North Entrance).

Ranger programs on various topics related to the Park are provided in the Jumbo Rocks amphitheater each Friday and Saturday nights at 7:00 p.m. No reservations are required and the programs are free.

Quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Generator use is limited to six hours a day (7:00 to 9:00 a.m., noon to 2:00 p.m., and 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.)

Weather: The average temperatures for April at Jumbo Rocks Campground are highs in the low 70s and lows about 40. Winds are usually strong in the desert, including Joshua Tree National Park. Expect very strong winds; bring appropriate clothing and gear.

Advisory: There is little to no cell phone service in the Park. Plan on not being able to use your cell phone while you are in the Park. Bring an FRS radio with you, if you have one (turned to Channel 8).

Hikes: We plan to do several, short hikes during our stay at Joshua Tree National Park, so that we can hopefully see the more interesting rock formations and some abandoned mines and stamp mills, as well as some longer ones (dependent upon interest). Time permitting, our hikes will likely include: Skull Rock (1.7 miles), Lost Horse Mine (4 miles in-and-out or 6.2 mile loop), Barker Dam/Wall Street Mill Trail (2.2 miles roundtrip or 4.8 miles if combined with the Barker Dam Nature Trail), Arch Rock Trail (0.3 mile loop, with a short side-trip to an adjacent area), Boy Scout Trail (15.4 miles in-and-out)/or a portion of Boy Scout Trail to Willow Hole and back (7.2 miles), Ryan Mountain Trail (2.8 miles in-and-out with a 1,065 ft. elevation gain)

On our hikes, it is important to remember that all archaeological sites and remains, including rock art, are protected and may not be disturbed. Climbing within 50 feet of rock art is prohibited. Extreme caution must be used when in the presence of old mine workings. Fencing around old mine workings must never be entered.

RSVP: To R.S.V.P. for this camping trip, contact Dianne by email at zuliebear@aol.com .

Due to the fact that reservations are not accepted for Jumbo Rocks Campground, and sites are obtained on a first-come, first-served basis, Dianne cannot reserve a camping site for you. If you plan to arrive late on Friday (or even later), try to arrange with another Hiking Club member, who will be arriving earlier than you, to reserve a spot for you in his/her campsite. Dianne will facilitate this to the best of her ability. When you R.S.V.P., please let Dianne know about your willingness and desire to share a campsite and on what date/time you plan to arrive.