The park’s most charismatic feature by far are the gigantic formations of whitish rocks. When you think of Joshua Tree, you probably don’t even think of Joshua trees. The rocky and rugged landscape on the hidden valley trail in Joshua Tree National Park. The Monument wouldn’t receive park status until 1994 under the Desert Protection Act. President Roosevelt took notice and established Joshua Tree National Monument in 1906. In the early 1900s, local activist Minerva Hoyt made a persuasive argument to protect the area. Mining left a lot of scars on the land, but also some very interesting ruins and historical sites that you can visit today. The mining industry followed shortly after.Īround 300 small pit mines dotted the landscape, which produced gold and silver, among other metals. The latter half of the 1800s brought grazing to the region, changing the ecology of the park permanently. But the land changed hands again after the Mexican-American War, along with the rest of California. When Mexico won its independence, the park sat within its boundaries. The stones were rumored to have been used by ancient tribes for preparing food or making medicine. Let’s dive in.Ī mortar and pestle embedded in a granite boulder, known as a mono and matate, found in Joshua Tree National Park. All the reasons the park is great, and everything you need to know to enjoy it. But before you get whisked away to this fantasy landscape, there are a few things you should know.Īnd lucky you, I’ve compiled everything you need to have an amazing trip to Joshua Tree right here. To really get the picture, you need to see it firsthand. The sand, rock, and trees seem to hum with an ethereal energy. Silent canyons turn blue under the milky light of the night sky. Insects, amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles creep, buzz, and crawl. Tucked away in pockets of this apparently lifeless waste are oases, where gigantic palm trees sway in the coastal wind. The untrained eye might see an expanse of barren rock baking in the summer sun, scattered sparsely with the odd-looking trees the park is named for.īut there is much, much more going on behind the curtain here. Joshua Tree National Park is a mythical, magical desert lifted straight from a legend. This magical desert sight is not to be missed. Wander through flourishing cacti gardens, explore rocky canyons, and take in the beauty of star-filled night skies. Take a trip through the unique landscape of Joshua Tree National Park.
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