Going to Joshua Tree this weekend...any advice

[silvercruiser]

Hi All,
Our family is heading to Joshua Tree this weekend with some of the neighbors. Anyone have any favorite spots for exploring either by cruiser or by foot? Thanks in advance.
cheers,
David...

 

[Brentbba]

If you're camping David, double up on the sleeping bags. Joshua Tree can get DAMN cold at night this time of year. It's been several years since we took the scout troop out there, so I'm not much help outside the weather forecast!

I think Eric has done some recent wheeling out there and there are some threads on Joshua Tree.

 

[latinoguy]

David,

Great weekend to Camp in Joshua Tree..High temps should be in the low 60s dipping to high 30s and low 40s at night. Most of my exploring has been by cruiser. Haven't been thru old dale rd. Yet. My favorite so far is Black Eagle Road...found at the south end of the park...

All vehicles 4wd? If so, I would recommend entering the park thru Berdoo Canyon, (ignore the ugly, thrash ladden first sight once you exit Dillon road to access Berdoo Canyon...it gets pretty once you are inside the park area.) This way you end up in the middle of the park and have many options as to choosing your camp ground..

a nice walking trail is the one that takes you to Barker Dam...should be plenty of water given the precipitation which Joshua has seen this winter....

 

[Boston Mangler]

Check out Barker Dam

Also, look for info on the KEYS RANCH tour! It was great and the kids will love it!

JUST, as you are leaving Joshua tree and heading back home, there is a hole in the wall THAI PLACE, i HIGHLY recommend stopping there! Great eats for short $

 

[calstyl2]

The Crossroads Cafe in the town of JT, HWY 62 one block west of Park Blvd, the best food around.
I work as a medic in JT...........Old Dale is a neat area too...

 

[LandCrusher'70]

If you go up through Berdoo Cyn. you can check out the old labor camp.

I might be going up Berdoo this weekend to check it out myself.

 

[e9999]

yup, I started a longish thread on JTNP a year or 2 ago.
Then Grolar did one too IIRC.


but nothing that wouldn't be found by a small quick little SEARCH!


I know, I know, it's more fun to ask... I do the same thing....

 

[g8mfzj80]

David,

Exploring the Brooklyn Mine trail (some rock crawling on that one) and Old Dale Road are my favorites spots for wheelin. Either exit that way or start in 29 palms. Normally camp out that way on BLM land to get away, have a big bon fire, etc.

Wildflowers are starting to bloom off Old Dale and Black Eagle Mine road so check that out if you have the time.

Berdoo, Pinkham, and Thermal Cyn are the other off road spots…You can get at them from Dillon Road in Indio, CA

The queen ranch tour, call before to make reservations is interesting. That and climbing some rock and checking out the trees inside the park

 

[SOCALFJ]

Is Rockhouse canyon still open out there? Heard it was shut down. Was off Dillon rd towards the east and it had several cool water falls you can drive up.

 

[g8mfzj80]

Is Rockhouse canyon still open out there? Heard it was shut down. Was off Dillon rd towards the east and it had several cool water falls you can drive up.

Closed to vehicles but you can hike/bike it still last time I was there.

Brian

 

[ZPDFJ]

Exploring the Brooklyn Mine trail (some rock crawling on that one) and Old Dale Road are my favorites spots for wheelin.

I second that, definately check out Brooklyn Mine Trail...

Here are some pics form that trail... Keep an eye out for the little dune on the right , its fun to play on

 

[silvercruiser]

Thanks to everyone include E999 for the tips. I did use the search button but only in the So Cal 80's section.

Anyhow, I'm the only one with an offroad vehicle so we plan on doing a lot of exploring. The Keys Ranch tour sounds cool....I'm hoping the kids are into it.

Thanks again for all the input....you guys are the best....
David...

 

[e9999]

have fun, David!
it's a good place.
Do keep in mind you can be 20 miles out there with a long walk back...

 

[PKP80]

David, I'm happy to see you're getting out with the truck and the fam. Post a few pics up if you get the chance.