Off-Trail in Joshua Tree NP

I have done the hike from Cottonwood campground (we used to camp there quite often before things got over crowded) to the summit. Not real inspiring and it may not afford a view to determine best routes to descend down into the valley to the north.

After reading the trip report by @NaupakaZ, this is a must do for me, to hike up Munsen Canyon. Finding the two unmarked palm oasis is just awesome. I like this area anyway.

If I couldn’t make it all the way up for some reason, such as the aftermath of Tropical Storm Hilary moving boulders around or even toppling palm trees, I would probably opt for this route instead (I’m not into peak bagging) . . .

At the junction of Munsen Canyon and Lost Palms Canyon I would head east down Lost Palms Canyon. It is a wash filled with humongous boulders, but not too difficult. Once out of the canyon head north along the dirt road, then up the big wash working towards Cary’s Castle. From Cary’s Castle it is an easy walk to get to the main part of the big valley north of Eagle Summit.

I’ve been to Joshua Tree a number of times, just driving through and stopping for a few hour day hike. I’ve gone in early spring. I’ve had a hard time wrapping my eyes and heart around this landscape. It’s so barren, or seemingly so.

However, reading these trip reports, and bringing my memories of the park to bear, I’m intrigued. The flora is remarkable, and each single tree and flower and bush and cactus stands out on its own. The terrain looks difficult, but without the danger of river crossings and icy passes. I’m liking the idea of learning the poetics of desert landscape.

Actually not barren when you immerse yourself in it. And the desert is clean. Forests have all kinds of decaying stuff. The desert seem pure and no wasted organisms.

Good info on the water. I think even patches of snow. I was standing by a very small patch and saw a coyote eyeballing me. I figured he was waiting for me to leave. I did and he was happy. Good reason not to drink bottled spring water. Nestle.
That area by I-10 can be full of flowers in the spring.

So the mapped route would come up from the southeast and follows around the north rim to the high point. I walked down that wash as a kid. I remember that road as being dirt, but not too bad headed to Chiriaco. You could almost stage there, but I remember the wash being a nice walk. Break it up into a couple long day hikes. I think the Patton Museum is out there. Probably $6 gas.

The more I think about it, I was there a lot.

My brother remembers the large boulders in the wash. I was the youngest of the party. My brother was 13. He was the oldest. My sister brought her friend. It may have been her first hike. Her first time in the desert,. In describing the trail up past Lost Palms Oasis, he says it’s not too strenuous once you get past the first climb. So whatever that means.

Here’s a thought for those wanting to visit JT this year. Meet the locals and get inside information.
https://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/volunteer-effort-hoping-californias-joshua-trees-rcna121891

The ravens will follow you. They’ve learned to equate us with food waste. I’m reading in Reddit that they’ve learned to peck through the bottles left for water caches in JT.