Joshua Tree National Park
Southern California’s High Desert, USA.
Joshua Tree and shadow
Joshua Tree is such a surreal place. There’s really nowhere else like it.
Photo credit: Adam Brill
Introduction
Joshua Tree National Park is a United States National Park that is located in the Southern California’s High Desert. The name Joshua tree was given by a group of Mormon settlers who crossed the Mojave Desert in the mid-19th century. The tree’s unique shape reminded them of a Biblical story in which Joshua reaches his hands up to the sky in prayer.
The park is a gem and a must see visit if you ever travel to California to experience the multi-faced californian nature. Joshua Tree Park is a very popular camping, hiking and rock climbing spot for thousands each year. Even more breathtaking is the beautiful starry nights. It is hard to imagine a desert being colorful and beautiful however take a closer look while at the park. There are true hidden gems around each boulder.
Joshua Tree
The Joshua tree, Yucca brevifolia, is a giant member of the lily family. Spotted in Joshua Tree National Park, CA. Photo credit: Folkert Gorter
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park is a backpacker’s dream with its mild winter climate and interesting rock formations, plants and wildlife. Photo credit: Eric Allix Rogers
Joshua Tree National Park is a backpacker’s dream with its mild winter climate and interesting rock formations, plants and wildlife. Photo credit: Eric Allix Rogers
Intersection Rock, Joshua Tree National Park
The park is one of the most popular rock climbing areas in the world with more than 4,500 established routes offering a wide range of difficulty. Note that there are differing regulations depending on whether a climb is being done within the designated wilderness area or not; check with a ranger for current regulations. Photo Credit: Kolby
Rock Formation at Joshua Tree Park
Photo credit: Kolby
Split Rocks at Joshua Tree Park
The desert. Some think it wretched and seemingly useless. For all its harshness, the desert is a land of surprising variety and complexity, a land of extreme fragility. Photo credit: Andreas Wonisch
Driving throught Joshua Tree National Park with trees in the mirror
Take your time as you travel through this area. Joshua Tree National park provides space for finding freedom from everyday routines for self- discovery, and a refuge for the human spirit. Let the desert take hold of you. Photo credit: Jimmy Harris
Plain of Joshua Trees
Photo credit: Eric Allix Rogers
Flowering Ocotillo
Flowering Ocotillo close up
Photo credit: Mike Simpson
Dead Joshua Photo credit: Eric Allix Rogers
Cholla Cactus at Joshua Tree National Park
Cholla cactus represent more than 20 species of the Opuntia genus (Family Cactacea) in the North American deserts. Cholla is a term applied to various shrubby cacti of this genus with cylindrical stems composed of segmented joints. These stems are actually modified branches that serve several functions — water storage, photosynthesis and flower production. Photo credit: Phil Price
Cholla Cactus Garden, Joshua Tree National Park
This is about as close as you can get to a “teddy bear” cholla cactus without getting stuck with their stickers. This photo shows a closeup of a cholla cactus with more of the cactus garden visible behind. Photo credit: Daniel Peckham
Prickly Pear Cactus, close up at Joshua Tree Park
Prickly pear cactus represent about a dozen species of the Opuntia genus (Family Cactaceae) in the North American deserts. All have flat, fleshy pads that look like large leaves. The pads are actually modified branches or stems that serve several functions — water storage, photosynthesis and flower production. Photo credit: Eric Allix Rogers
Claret Cup Cactus Blooms
Joshua Tree National Park Claret Cup Cactus Blooms. Claret Cup Cactus blooms between May – July and produces red to red-orange cup shaped flowers with a bright green stigma in the center to 1.5 inches in width. Flowers are followed by a 1 inch fruit. Photo credit: Mikaku
Cactus
The life force is patient here. Desert vegetation, of times appearing to have succumbed to a harsh and unforgiving environment, lies dormant, anxiously awaiting the rainfall and mild weather that will trigger its growth, painting a profusion of colors. At the edges of daylight and under clear night stars is a fascinating multitude of generally familiar desert wildlife. Photo credit: sandwichgirl
It began long ago when rain drops accumulated in tiny depressions and started to erode the granite. As more rock eroded, more water accumulated, leading to more erosion until, as time passed, two hollowed-out eye sockets formed and the rock began to resemble a skull. Located along the main east-west park road, Skull Rock is a favorite stop for park visitors. A parking spot is located just across the road from the rock. Photo credit: Adam Brill
Sunrise near Keyes View, Joshua Tree National Park
A brief flash of colour over the desert. Photo credit: Jono Hey
Boulders at Joshua Tree National Park at Sunset
Photo credit: Adam Brill
Arch Rock at Joshua Tree National Park
Photo credit: Joe Ennesser
Joshua Trees congregating at night
Lit by a passing car’s headlights. Photo credit: Kolby
Joshua Tree with starry sky
Photo credit: Kolby
Starry sky above Joshua Tree
Photo credit: Pinoyphotographer
Starry sky over Rock in Joshua Tree National Park
Photo credit: Pinoyphotographer
Arch Rock, Joshua Tree National Park in Infrared
Photo credit: Robert Plaskota
Cholla cactus at sunset in Joshua Tree National Park
Called the Teddybear Cholla Cactus, you would not want to get cuddly with this plant. Photo credit: Ralph Combs
Joshua Tree Sunrise Silhouette
Never miss a chance to drive through J-Tree around sunrise.
Photo credit: Jono Hey
Sunrise in the desert – Joshua Tree, Yucca and a rocky mountain
Early morning light hits a rocky hillside in Joshua Tree National Park, with Joshua Trees and Yucca plants in the foreground. Photo credit: Daniel Peckham
Joshua Tree and Moon
Photo credit: Grauke/0
Strange Red Fruit in Joshua Tree Park
Photo credit: Eric Allix Rogers
Stairway rocks
Photo credit: Eric Allix Rogers
Joshua Tree against blue sky
Photo credit: Amanda Scheliga
My 5-year old son next to a small Joshua Tree
Photo credit: Marcus Hirn
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