Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park - Barry Storm's Jade Mine
DesertUSA researches Barry Storm, the author of Trail of the Lost Dutchman, first published in 1939. In 1957 he came out to California and was wandering around in the desert near Joshua Tree National Park. He chipped off the corner of a rock and discovered it was jade. Thinking he'd found the source of the ancient Mayan's jade, Storm mined and lived in that area for the rest of his life. Join us on our road trip to see Barry Storm's Jade Mine.

Joshua Tree National Park - Black Eagle Mine Road
Beginning 6.5 miles north of the Cottonwood Visitor Center, this dead-end dirt road runs along the edge of Pinto Basin, crosses several dry washes, and then winds up through canyons in the Eagle Mountains. The first 9 + miles of the road are within the park boundary. Beyond that point is BLM land. Several old mines are located near this road.

Joshua Tree National Park - Geology Tour Road
The Geology Tour Road is an 18-mile long road that goes through some of Joshua Tree Park's most fascinating landscapes. There are 16 stops along the dirt road and it takes approximately 2 hours to make the round trip. Follow the road through Queens Valley, see the twin peaks of Malapai Hill, and learn about the geologic processes that created the beautiful rock formations at Joshua Tree.

Joshua Tree NP - Old Dale Road
Old Dale Road starts in Joshua Tree National Park, passes through the Pinto Basin and out of the park into the Pinto Mountains, where it becomes Gold Crown Road. The route ends at California Route 62, 15 miles east of the small desert town of Twentynine Palms. This video will give you an idea of what the road is like in case you want to take a little 4 wheeling trip!

Joshua Tree NP - Rock Formations
The rocky landscape of Joshua Tree National Park has fascinated many of its visitors. The landscape of the White Tanks Campground was born more than 100 million years ago. You feel as though you might see a dinosaur step out from one of the Jumbo Rock piles at any moment. Explore the unique boulder formations at Joshua Tree National Park with the DesertUSA team.

Joshua Tree National Park - 2008 Wildflower Summary
Joshua Tree National Park's wildflower season got off to an early start in 2008, when wildflowers began blooming at its southern entrance just off of Route 10. The wildflowers had a good bloom for about six to eight weeks, then the showing moved up to the northern part of the park.

The Joshua Tree
The Joshua Tree, the largest of the yuccas, grows only in the Mojave Desert. Natural stands of this picturesque, spike-leafed evergreen grow nowhere else in the world. Its height varies from 15-40 feet with a diameter of 1-3 feet. Joshua trees (and most other yuccas) rely on the female Pronuba Moth (Tegeticula) for pollination. No other creature visiting the blooms transfers the pollen from one flower to another.