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Old 12-15-2009, 09:55 AM   #1
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Joshua Tree trip edit 28 Dec 09

update is in post of above date
ps
thanx for all your help
folks

any suggestions on Joshua tree natl park
maps
back roads
need reservations?
boon docking?

taking my sister back to Palm Springs on the 26th of Dec
i want to squeak a couple of days in

just read the JT website
boondocking available
as i have a short amount of time
anyone want to chime in with some off the path
nice locations?

thanx in advance

bw

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Old 12-15-2009, 10:29 AM   #2
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Re: Help Planning Joshua Tree trip

I spend lots of time in Jtree. I'm not sure what your boon docking reference is. You can camp there in the campsites. Camping/SMBing it outside a campsite is not allowed and rangers are serious about this. The best sites are $10 a night and can not be reserved (except the campgrounds basicly not in the park). Check out this page free BLM camping which is free if you don't count the gas so not worth the drive out to unless you want to eat in town and as a backup. http://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/u ... erflow.pdf

Being in an SMB I would recommend Jumbo Rocks campground (Hidden Valley is a climber campground, Ryan is a little cramped). Rolling in on a Saturday night will probably be really rough to find camping and people staying the week may have rolled in. Thanksgiving is the biggest day in Jtree followed by New Years.

I recommend going for a hike in the Wonderland of Rocks. Just park here and hike in. No need for maps take a compass and know if you keep hiking South you'll have to cross the road.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source= ... 8&t=h&z=16

If you want an objective go looking for Big Horn Mating Grotto a cool place but definately not your average hike. Direction here:
http://www.mountainproject.com/v/califo ... /106340419
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Old 12-17-2009, 10:39 PM   #3
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Re: Help Planning Joshua Tree trip

bw,
I was there two months ago and took a trail from Indio into the park. The trail is the Berdoo Canyon Road. Fairly easy with a couple of tight spots for the SMB. I did it at night so that made it a bit more difficult. It is a very cool way to enter the park. It goes through Pleasant Valley which is quite pretty. Then it connects with the park’s Geology Tour Road (also highly recommended even if you do not go up Berdoo). You can camp along the Berdoo Canyon Road as long as you are not in the park. I second the Jumbo Rocks campground. Very pretty and there are some more private sites. The stars are amazing from there. Saw 4 shooting stars in ten minutes. It will be cold so pack accordingly.

The trail is listed in the Backcountry Adventures book by Massey along with a few other trails.

steve
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Old 12-18-2009, 07:16 AM   #4
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Re: Help Planning Joshua Tree trip

thanx gents
cant wait to get Wilson in the dirt and sand
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Old 12-18-2009, 08:35 AM   #5
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Re: Help Planning Joshua Tree trip

Steve is spot on about Berdoo Canyon being a great entrance to the park and is even more spectacular in the Spring time after a good winter .
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Old 12-18-2009, 09:41 AM   #6
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Re: Help Planning Joshua Tree trip

I agree with everything said above. If you want a great 4x road into or out of the Park, I'd suggest the Gold Crown road. As I remember, it takes off from Hwy. 62 about 12-15 miles east of Twenty-Nine Palms. Snarley in a couple of spots, but we had no problems. Most of the road is two wheel drive, but we didn't see another rig the whole way. I think Goeff did this too. Several good places to boondock right outside the Park.
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Old 12-19-2009, 12:13 AM   #7
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Re: Help Planning Joshua Tree trip

I forgot to point out that Berdoo can be done in 2WD. I had it in 4WD Hi for awhile, but again I was doing at night and had it in 4WD for safety. Saw a couple coming down in a rental mini-van. Couldn't stop laughing when they said they were glad they got the optional insurance.

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Old 12-19-2009, 10:59 AM   #8
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Re: Help Planning Joshua Tree trip

Berdoo Canyon might be changed since the rain. Usually there are spots where folks have piled in rocks, etc, to make it more passable.

So soon after these recent rains might make it a little unpredictable.

http://www.dirtopia.com/wiki/Berdoo_Canyon_Trail

http://www.desertusa.com/magdec97/offro ... d_dec.html
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Old 12-19-2009, 03:13 PM   #9
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Re: Help Planning Joshua Tree trip

FWIW
There is a place just south of the Park that I drove through a few weeks ago that is BLM land so boondocking is okay. The geology looked fascinating. Its huge blocks of rock that have been uplifted by the San Andreas Fault. I just made a quick trip through it but it looked so cool I want to go back and visit it someday.

If anyone has any experience with the area I would like to hear it.

Box Canyon Road heading Northeast out of Mecca.

Here is a link to a write-up.
http://www.eugenecarsey.com/camp/oro.../boxcanyon.htm
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Old 12-28-2009, 07:51 AM   #10
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Re: Joshua Tree trip edit 28 Dec 09

Hi all

Had to drop my sister off in Palm Springs after Xmas
Also have to be back at work on 28th...

Lots of traffic my house to Palm Springs
took 4 hours not two...
Arrived at west entrance at @ 6 pm

Drove in to Jumbo Rocks CG

Got a great spot, not full

Wife made dinner

I used the new "pocket chain saw" to half a couple of pieces of "grocery store" firewood
worked great, except i am huffing and puffing !
I fired up the Volcano Stove (thanx for that post guys!)
1/2 pieces of wood, 3 of them make a great fire
perfect

wife got cold and back to Wilson

talked a bit to the guy next to me
Hi is in a 90's Ford rig, from WA
just spent 6 month rigging it out
He and GF are on a 9 month road trip
They are gonna have a ball

A little sleep time
Suburban worked great

Up early
another fire
Tons of pics with wifes new Nikon
(Dave, great suggestion!)

Quick trip thru the park for more pics

Then exit on Berdo Canyon

Easy going untill last leg

SHEESH,

Glad i was going down hill
It was a freaking Jeep trail after the rains...

If this is "normal" for you 4x4 folks, my hat is off to you

Steve, you came IN at night up this?

WOW, i am impressed

Wilson performed fantastic

Remember, EB, XL storage, three hoop steps

Never bottomed out

Rolled right down the trail

Made it past the shooting ranges
to Dillon road

Wife got a bit sick with the rolling road

Made it home by 5

Will post some pics later

Sadly i do not have any of the trail

best

bw out
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