Joshua Tree

by Philip Greenspun; created 1998

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Joshua

Joshua Tree National Park comprises regions of two deserts: the Colorado (the hot dry eastern portion of the park) and the Mojave Desert (the high cool western portion).

Close-up

Joshua Tree National Park Joshua Tree National Park Wildflowers. Joshua Tree National Park

Not so close-up

Mojave Desert. Joshua Tree National Park Joshua Tree National Park Joshua Tree National Park Joshua Tree National Park Joshua Tree National Park Joshua Tree National Park

Way High Up

You can drive to Keys View at 5,185 feet above sea level and see out over the Coachella Valley to Palm Springs and the Salton Sea.

Keys View. Joshua Tree National Park Keys View. Joshua Tree National Park Keys View. Joshua Tree National Park

The tree, the whole tree, and nothing but the tree

Actually Joshua Trees are succulents, related to the Yucca bush. According to the Michelin Green Guide to California , these were named by Mormon travelers. The strange contorted branches made them think of Joshua pointing the way to the promised land.

Joshua Tree National Park Joshua Tree National Park Joshua Tree National Park Joshua Tree National Park Joshua Tree National Park Joshua Tree National Park Joshua Tree National Park Joshua Tree National Park

and when you're not too lazy to drag out the 4x5 view camera... (click on the thumbnail below for an experience in sharpness)

Joshua Tree. Joshua Tree National Park.

Five Easy Pieces...

... of Joshua Trees

Flowering Joshua Tree. Joshua Tree National Park Flowering Joshua Tree. Joshua Tree National Park

OK; maybe I could only find two.

Cholla Cactus Garden

Cholla Cactus. Colorado Desert. Joshua Tree National Park Cholla Cactus Garden. Colorado Desert. Joshua Tree National Park

Rock-oriented Photos

Joshua Tree National Park

Just East of Twentynine Palms

If you keep driving east on California Highway 62, you will cross the Mojave Desert into Nevada.

Joshua Tree National Park Desert Wildflowers. East of Joshua Tree National Park on California Route 62 East of Joshua Tree National Park on California Route 62 Joshua Tree National Park

Practical

Photographer working in the Colorado Desert. Joshua Tree National Park Visit in March or April so that you can enjoy the wildflowers. Take water and food into the park. Allow at least two days to see most of the interesting road-accessible sights. Bring a hat.

Stay and have dinner at the 29 Palms Inn in the town of Twentynine Palms: (760) 367-3505. The inn is less than a mile from the park entrance.

Photo Nerd Checklist

If you're a camera nerd, here is your checklist for Joshua Tree:



Text and photos copyright 1998-2018 Philip Greenspun.


philg@mit.edu