03/06/03:
Got here after a 2 hour drive out CA-62 from Parker, AZ. Grabbed a camp site at the free Belle Campground and took off for the scenic drive. Checked out the Cholla Nature Trail first. Here is the densest growth of Teddybear Cholla Cactus I've ever seen.
Apparently they got some rain here with that big system that moved through Arizona a couple of weeks ago. The Ocotillo Cactus were covered in leaves and even had a few large red flowers. Continued with the tour, which took all of 1.5 hours.
03/07/03 Hiking Ryan Mountain Trail (3 miles round trip):
40's last night, bright sunshine this morning. Except for the backcountry trails, none of the Joshua Tree trails are very long. This one is 1.5 miles up 1000 feet to the rounded summit of Ryan Mountain. Nice views of the giant piles of rock formations scattered around the valley floor. Took me an hour to get to the top.
Went looking for 49 Palms Oasis off CA-62 without success. Re-entered Joshua Tree from the west entrance and drove 35+ miles back to Belle Campground. Lots more Joshua Trees backed by some of those giant rock piles.
03/08/03 Hiking California Riding and Hiking Trail:
Got to the trailhead and the temperature was pushing 60. I didn't even bother looking to see where I was going and headed up a dirt road. I had done part of the trail last year and this didn't look familiar but I kept going anyway.
Lots of Joshua Trees on both sides of the road but much thicker on one side than the other. Road turned very sandy and my legs began aching after an hour or so. When I saw a trail leading off to the left on firmer ground I took it. Dunno the name of the trail but it led up into some hills and hillocks, hillettes(?). Joshua Trees gave way to Junipers and many more yucca bushes. I followed this trail for a half hour and when things opened up and I could see the trail descended over many more hills I turned back.
Drove the Geology Road for a few miles ignoring a 4WD only sign after 3-4 miles. Another half mile or so and the road started getting really sandy and I turned back.
03/09/03 Hiking California Riding and Hiking Trail - (Lost Horse Valley (10 miles round trip):
Went back to the same trailhead to do the trail right this time. This is actually the midway point in the California Riding and Hiking Trail. From this point is about 18 miles to the towns of 29 Palms to the east and Joshua Tree to the west. Mid to upper 60's at 8am.
This part of the trail is fairly flat for the most part. Joshua trees, junipers, mesquite, creosote, and some cholla and yuccas. Passed a total of 6 backpackers coming in from an overnighter and saw 4 other day hikers.
03/10/03 Hiking California Riding and Hiking Trail - (Geology Road (13.2 miles round trip):
Same trailhead again except across the road from the parking lot this time. Temperatures in the 70's. A little more interesting today as the trail leads past the Ryan Campground and along the base of Ryan Mountain.
The next couple miles are in a kind of narrow valley with Ryan Mountain on one side and steep hills on the other. Pretty flat for the first 3 miles or so, then some hills and then a slight incline for the rest of the way to Geology Road .
Planned on staying another couple of days to do other sections of the trail but when I got back to the campground an RV had pulled in next to me. I spotted a red, 5 gallon gas which means a generator which means excessive noise which means no way which means I was outta there.