Trip Report: Joshua Tree CRHT 2021

[CAMERONM]

Summer 2020 in the Sierra was a bit of a bust, and I need to get out. I travel the CRHT in Joshua Tree, a nice acronym for the California Riding and Hiking Trail. A much longer description can be found here: https://www.trailnamebackstroke.com/desert-blog

The California Riding and Hiking Trail was originally envisioned as part of a 3,000 mile loop-trail around California. Work started on the trail in 1945 and while the project was abandoned in the 60’s, the 37 mile portion through Joshua Tree remains. I have visited JT many times for day hikes and slept in campsites. I am curious to see how different the experience is camping in the wild.

Although it is claimed that Joshua trees grow between 2,000-6,000 ft altitude, whenever I see them they seem to appear and disappear in a more narrow 2,000 ft range.

The next day I begin to appreciate how delicate and beautiful the landscape is. This arrangement of plants looks like something designed by a Japanese master gardener.

The trail settles into a more open-sky landscape and thankfully the ground is more firm underfoot.

Potato Bug- otherwise known as a Jerusalem Cricket. I don’t know whether to call it cute or ugly.

The sky seems to change every few hours.
One can find a lot of useful trail information at AllTrails and also HikingGuy. I tend to agree that one can carry/cache as little as 3 liters of water during the winter and 5 liters when it is warmer. We parked at the North Entrance and called Johnnie The Driver (562) 208-4904 for our shuttle to the Black Rock Campground trail entrance. I can’t believe that I waited so many years to undertake such an interesting trip.

[balzaccom]

Nice photos--I particularly like the Japanese garden shot. It's a lovely area...loved to death on the weekends, but during the week it's a lot quieter.

[ironmike]

There is no doubt that JTrees prefer a higher altitude than 2K - I’ve found that the best forests occur in the 3500-5500’ range. Cima Dome is the ultimate testament to that.

[Wandering Daisy]

What were the dates of your trip? You said "summer" but I see you in a down jacket. I used to climb at JT a lot in Feb-March and was lucky to be there once during cactus bloom. What did you do about water?

[CAMERONM]

The trip dates were January 21-23, 2021. The "summer" I referred to was last summer when access to the Sierra was so difficult. I added the dates to my web report and also discuss water caching there. The skies darkened as we got to the car and by the time we hit Yucca it was hailing, so the exit was exquisite timing. On the wrong day JT can be bitter cold, windy and downright inhospitable.

[dave54]

There is no doubt that JTrees prefer a higher altitude than 2K - I’ve found that the best forests occur in the 3500-5500’ range. Cima Dome is the ultimate testament to that.

IIRC the Cima Dome forest is a different subspecies.

[schmalz]

If you had to choose one half of the trail, which one is the most scenic?

[CAMERONM]

I would do the CRHT but stop at the White Tank as I mention in the report.
I have hiked and camped other places in JT but not longer trails like this, just overnighters.