Let's go to Joshua Tree National Park

Come out and explore the many sides of this gem in the desert.

We'll drive to various points in the park (Barker Dam, Hidden Valley, Keys View), hiking for a total of 9 - 11 miles, with less than 2,000 ft elevation gain. We'll see Joshua Trees, mining artifacts, odd rocks and boulders, old homesteads, Indian Petroglyphs, views of the Coachella Valley, and learn about the various ecosystems and rock formations in the park, in just one day. Multiple out & back hikes are planned, so you can skip particular hikes and just enjoy the scenery if you wish.

Though we are meeting at 7:00 am, the hikes begin at 10:00 am (due to the distance from Los Angeles), finishing by 5:00 pm, with an expected return time to our meeting point of 7:30 pm. Join us either at the Park & Ride or at the Barker Dam trailhead parking lot. We may also grab dinner after the hike, depending on the consensus.

BRING: You should have at least 3 liters of water, snacks/lunch, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a comfortable backpack. You may also want to bring long-sleeve shirts and pants. Due to some rocky terrain, comfortable hiking boots are recommended.

This hike is geared towards those with little or no experience with Joshua Tree NP, but all hikers are welcome. Due to the distance travelled to the trailhead by car (about 150 miles one way), you may want to consider carpooling from our meeting point. However, the Sierra Club does not involve itself in, and does not take any responsibility for, carpooling and leaves it to each individual to make his/her own arrangements to the trailhead. If you do choose to carpool, please consider the driver, the 300 mile roundtrip distance, and the current IRS (http://www.sc2030.org/common/misc/event_interface/detail.php#%23) mileage reimbursement rate of 55.5 cents a mile. Also please bring any relevant National Parks passes you may have; entrance fee is $15 per vehicle.