The Gift of Joshua Tree

Thank whatever god or gods you believe in that the U.S. Government set aside Joshua Tree as a national park. It is arguably one of the most spiritual places on the planet. The band U2 was inspired to write an entire album centered around their visit to this mystical place. Countless artists have been moved to create art based on their personal experiences in this strange and fascinating environment. Joshua Tree happens to be one of the most inhospitable places on the planet, and yet people have resided there in some capacity for well over 5,000 years. The Joshua Trees themselves provided shelter, clothing, baskets, food, and many other items. Today they are protected for good reason. Destruction of the trees by unnatural causes would be detrimental to the entire ecosystem.

Plants of Joshua Tree

Believe it or not some 800 or more species of plants reside within Joshua Tree. Small wonder that when this area was first proposed for preservation, the name suggested was Desert Plants National Park. Five of North America's known 158 desert fan palm oases are located in Joshua Tree National Park. These oases are formed where fault lines force water to the surface.

Animals of Joshua Tree

Species of animals in Joshua Tree include amphibians, birds, insects, spiders, centipedes, millipedes, reptiles, and mammals. Here are some examples:

1) The red-spotted toad is a true water seeking amphibian. It spends the majority of its life underground. After a strong, soaking rain, it can be found from one end of the park to the other--breeding of course--before it returns underground.

2) Many species of birds live in the park all year round. Golden eagles hunt their territories in the park for mammals and smaller birds. The famous roadrunner is probably the most easily recognized resident. And the call of Gambel’s quail is a desert constant.

3) Several species of ants with amazing adaptations are found in Joshua Tree. Harvester ants collect seeds that they store underground to consume during the sparser months of the year. The honeypot ants sacrifice themselves by swallowing so much honey that their abdomens get too large for them to move. Thus they become storage containers for the entire colony.

4) Many mammals have developed adaptations to deal with this harsh environment. The round-tailed ground squirrel sleeps away the hottest part of the summer. They also hibernate in winter to avoid the bitter cold.

5) The desert tortoise is thought to have existed for 15 to 20 million years. Could this longevity have given them plenty of time to figure out the best living strategies? Careful, slow-paced locomotion; a healthy diet full of greens; resting during winter and summer, the desert’s harshest seasons; and water conservation.

Amenities of Joshua Tree

A small town exists just outside of Joshua tree with virtually everything you would find in any suburban town. Del Taco, Pizza Hut, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, etc etc. For those wishing to venture away from this atmosphere, the park itself remains pristine. It is closed off enough to appear as if you are far away from civilizations, but you are safe knowing that a few miles away you can get your Jack-in-the-Box fix.

Inside the park is year round camping, hiking, rock climbing. Some campgrounds are further isolated with less amenities. There are hiking trails throughout the park, including one inside of an enclosed rock canyon. Birdwatching and wildflower seeking is best done in the spring months when the desert flowers are blooming and the birds are breeding.

There are rules in the park. The most important being: Do not take anything out of the park (rocks, seeds, soil, flowers, animals, etc) and Take everything you bring in out with you (wrappers, bottles, food, etc)

If you have never been to Joshua Tree, you are missing out on a spiritual and potentially life-changing experience. It is worth the time to go out of your way to see this amazing and majestic place.