Joshua Tree: Day 2 (Post 2 of 2)

We returned to camp footsore after 11+ miles of hiking (7 with enormous backpacks). Freeze-Dried Sante Fe Chicken never tasted so good. I slept great, only waking up a few times as the surrounding packs of coyotes howled at the moon and morning sun.

Joshua Tree: Day 2 (Post 1 of 2)

We awoke the next morning, and loaded up the backpacks. We left Kevin's rental car behind and headed for mine- 18 miles in the distance. The hike started with about a mile of hiking across open desert, with only an occasional Joshua Tree breaking the monotony.
Soon enough we entered the region known as the "Wonderland of Rocks", and we began our 1000 foot climb up to the plateau of Lost Horse Valley. The weather was thankfully cloudy and cool, as our packs were incredibly heavy. We even got a touch of rain.

Hiking up a Canyon Wash

Kevin by an Enormous Bloom

After the steep climb, we had a flat section across a Joshua Tree "forest". Calling it a "forest" is a bit of a misnomer, as it implies densely-packed trees and shade. Neither is present in a Joshua Tree forest. After what seemed like forever, Kevin threw his heavy pack to the ground. "I don't want to carry this anymore," he announced. He was in luck, the trail junction that was our goal for the day was only a 100 feet away. We hiked a ways off-trail, set up our camp, and just sat for awhile.
Finally rested, we decided to try to hike to Willow Hole, an oasis inside the "Wonderland". Although we didn't find any of the rumored water, we did find two groups of Desert Bighorn Sheep.

Kevin walking down the wash towards the oasis of Willow Hole

Jumping Bighorn

A Note on the Photos: Kevin and I shared tripod holes on numerous occasions. Since Kevin posted his pictures first, I've made an effort to avoid posting similar photos.

Joshua Tree: Day 1

After a week in Palm Springs for a conference, my friend Kevin and I rented two cars and drove up to Joshua Tree National Park. After shopping for groceries and stove fuel, we drove our cars down a sandy 4WD road to the Covington Flats trailhead. Along the way, we got some good pictures of Joshua Trees after a fire.
We then drove back out to the town of Twentynine Palms. Yes, those are storm clouds above, and it rained as we set up our camp at the Indian Cove campground. We ate an enormous amount of Mexican food in town (ask Kevin about "Señor Burrito"), before crashing for the night.

Catching Up...

Work and travel have made it very difficult to blog lately. Here's an update of some smaller trips from the past few months:

Horsetooth Falls, February 25
Foothills Trail, March 17

Kevin and Sky on the trail

Horsetooth Reservoir

Swim in Lake + Sand = Dirty Dog

Joshua Tree

I've been too busy at work this week to post about my Joshua Tree Backpack, but fellow backpacker Kevin hasn't had this problem. Click here for his write-up and some great pictures from our trip.

I'll be busy for another few weeks, then I should be able to start blogging again. I'll try to avoid posting pictures where I blatantly used the same tripod holes as Kevin.

Nearly-famous Friend

An excellent interview with our writer friend Kim Despins.

American Lakes

Today Dorinna and I took an absolutely fabulous cross-country ski trip to American Lakes. Warm, only a little wind, and only the slightest wisps of clouds. Oh yeah, lots of new snow.

American Lakes Basin


Back side of Nokhu Crags


Dorinna is all smiles anticipating the descent


Turns

Blizzard Update: February 18

Grass!

Arapahoe Bend

Earlier today Dorinna and I took a walk to the Arapahoe Bend Natural Area on the outskirts of Fort Collins. We were going in search of Bald Eagles, but found only Grebes and an unidentified raptor.

Old abandonded ranch house near natural area.

Michigan Ditch

Last weekend, Kevin joined Dorinna and I on a ski trip along Michigan Ditch. This was Kevin's second time on skis, but the trip was mostly flat. We "encouraged" him to try some hills at the end. The weather was windy and snowy, but warm, so it was a fine day with fresh snow.