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Joshua Tree Hot Links
 Joshua Tree National Park Association - Non-Profit Volunteer Group
Joshua Tree Climbing Guides - Rock Climbing
Desert Institute
- Regular field class to explore local desert natural and cultural features.
Tour Palm Springs
Palm Springs is popularly known as the winter-golf capital of the world with almost 100
well kept golf courses. Here are a few that we consider to be the best.
Area attractions include the Aerial Tramway, Air Museum,
Desert Museum, Indian Canyons, Living Desert Zoo, and Desert Jeep Tours.
Keep in mind that summer temperatures in Joshua Tree can easily
hit 120-plus degrees with little cooling in the nightime. Always
carry extra water.
Viator - Guided VIP Tours for California Desert
Search Keyword - Mojave - VIP Tour Packages
Guided VIP Tours wilderness adventures.
GPS Gear - MainTour Pro-Shop Special
Popular for Runners, Boaters, Hikers, Bikers and Adventurers
Recent technology updates have made readily affordable for outdoor adventures a nifty item -
the GPS Watch. It uses 3D Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) technology to triangulate your position and elevation to
within 20 ft accuracy. Prices and great quality GPS watches now run less than $100 from quality manufactures such as
Garmin and Navman.
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Joshua Tree National Park preserves over 793,000 acres of
the Mojave Desert country in Eastern California (established 1994).
It is located immediately northeast of
Palm Springs, the best place to check for nearby accomodations.
Joshua Tree was originally designated as a national monument in 1936
primarily through the efforts of Mrs. Sherman Hoyt of Pasadena, "friend
of the desert". However in 1950, mining concerns successfully lobbied
to eliminate a full one-third of the preserve. Only recently (1994)
did it reach national park status and again expanded to cover important
regions.
The Joshua Tree
Standing nearly 40 feet tall, the Joshua Tree is not really a tree
at all but the largest member of the Yucca family of plants. It was
so name by early Mormon pioneers crossing the desert who found the
angular branches to resemble the outstretched arms of Joshua leading
the Israelites into the Promise Land.
Park Habitat and Vegatation
Of particular note are the many unusual plants found here including Joshua trees, cactus,
ocotillo, smoke treess, palo verdes, pinon pins, yucca plants. The best
time to visit is early spring when a big array of desert wildflowers
reach full bloom.
Park Wildlife
Desert wildlife includes many resident and migratory birds. It is
also home to bighorn sheep, coyote, bobcat, badger, desert tortoise, bats, tarrantulas,
and burro deer. Also found within the park boundaries are many
noteworthy landscape formations of granite rock and spiked peaks.
Park Geology
The bizarre rocky desert landscape, prevalent through much of the park, has always
fascinated visitors. These formations of granite rock, called monzogranite, were created
by a combination of volcanic action and erosion over millions of years.
Good examples can be found at Jumbo Rocks, Wonderland of Rocks and Split Rock.
Park Climate
Temperatures can vary from over 120 degrees in the summertime to below
30 degrees on winter nights. The average daily temperature change is about 33 degrees.
[On my last visit here in late December I came across many stands of snow lying on the ground.]
Summertime activity should be significantly restricted or even avoided.
Park Visitor Center
Visitor Center Open Daily: 8AM-5PM (except Dec 25);
There is a visitor center near the major park entrances:
Joshua Tree V.C. - SR-62 @ Park Blvd - West Entrance
Oasis V.C. - SR-62 @ Utah Trail - North Entrance
- located in Twentynine Palms - several exhibits on flora, fauna and history of the desert park.
Cottonwood Springs V.C. - Inside South Entrance
NPS Ranger Headquarters
74485 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277; 760-367-5500;
Park Website;
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Palm Mountain Resort Hotel
Nestled at the heart of Palm Springs, California is the fabulous Palm Mountain Resort -
an friendly, charming retreat at the foot of the snowcapped San Jacinto Mountains.
Those mountains shelter the resort from the warm desert breezes and provide a striking backdrop to the hotel.
Palm Mountain Resort Hotel
155 South Belardo, Palm Springs, CA 92262;
Located on the corner of Tahquitz and Belardo - one block off downtown strip;
Nestled at the heart of Palm Springs, California is the fabulous Palm Mountain Resort -
an friendly, charming retreat at the foot of the snowcapped San Jacinto Mountains.
Those mountains shelter the resort from the warm desert breezes and provide a striking backdrop to the hotel.
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Two Bunch Palms Resort
67-425 2 Bunch Palms Trail, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240;
Very private and tranquil resort and spa, desert oasis, on 56-acres, with natural hot mineral springs. Adults only.
Casually elegant, with Guestrooms, Suites, and Villas, most with private patios and many with private outdoor whirlpool spas.
Two Bunch Palms is a historic and legendary property that attracts many of Hollywood's elite who escape
from the stress of daily life to this discreet and soothing oasis.
So secluded and private that Al Capone made it his desert hideaway in the late 1920's.
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Palm Springs Wyndham Resort Hotel
888 Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Glamorous Palm Springs, California, is the lovely setting for this impressive vacation retreat.
Make yourself at home in a warmly appointed room with a panoramic view of the majestic San Jacinto Mountains.
You'll enjoy the comfort and convenience of thoughtful business amenities like an oversized desk and
Internet access that make it easy to get work done.
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Enjoy an incredible downtown location with awesome views of the nearby San Jacinto Mountains.
Resort activities include putting green, heated geometric-shaped swimming pool, exercise studio and the Palm Springs Spa.
This resort is also a popular destination for executive conferences and wedding parties.
This hotel features deluxe one bedroom suites that come with outdoor balconies.
