Joshua Tree

[FJ Cruiser]

Anyone know of good trails and camping spots around the park and necessarily inside the park?

[MrS]

Driving or hiking? All the roads inside that park are groomed and stay in rather good shape. Hiking tails are good and well worth the time.

The trails in the Dale Mining district can get bad and there is a lot more old mining things to see. Many good camp places in this area. This is the non-park section along hwy 62

I found the guided tour of the Keys Ranch good.

Camping in the park is at campsites only as I recall. If you camp at a camp ground on a weekend be ready for lots of people and noise, and be happy if its not.

What map(s) do you have? We can help you with a route if you let us know what you like.

[FJ Cruiser]

yeah, I don't want to camp in the park. We'll be mainly driving around and stopping by areas of interest to hike around, but they don't necessarily have to be in the park.

No maps yet, just a GPS.

I found a road off of hwy 62 called Gold Crown Road:
http://desertusa.com/magdec97/offroad/dalerd_dec.html (http://desertusa.com/magdec97/offroad/dalerd_dec.html)

Thanks for your help!

[MrS]

...camping spots around the park and necessarily inside the park?

Maybe your 'NOT' got drop by the internet, when you planned to say "NOT necessarily inside..." Ha ha that happens to me often.

Anyway gold crown rd is a good area (that's the Dale mining district) and easy to spend 2-3 days exploring, but the road get little care and can change every few years. I used to have a write-up for Old Dale on Ghostowns.com, it may still be there.

I like the Old Dale area better than the park, BUT the park is very good and should be on your list. San Berdoo and Pinkhan Canyon are about the only 'may need 4x' trails, and all the roads in the park could be driven in a day, but don't.

Not sure what GPS set-up or program your running, but Tom Harrison makes a nice JT map that lists alot of the mines in the Dale.

If your a AAA member the Riverside County Map will help.

How many days you have? When you going? You might be able to get a group together around here to go with ya. Either way have fun and let us know how your trip went.

Feel free to ask away if you have more Qs.

[FJ Cruiser]

thanks for the help. I think I was typing too fast and completely forgot the 'not'. :blush:
Oh well, at least you figured out what I was talking about.

I'll keep you guys posted on the trip dates, etc if I end up going. :party_cheers:

I checked out the Ghostowns.com, but the site is gone.

[TrailWorn]

I second the recommendation for Pinkham Canyon or Berdoo Canyon if you plan to enter the park from I-10. They're way better than driving pavement. Berdoo gives you an especially good view toward Squaw Tank and the what is it, Queen Valley?

Too bad the Rockhouse Canyon and Thermal Canyon areas south of Berdoo are closed now. They were fun to explore and not far from the Palm Springs area.

Have fun wherever you go!

[FJ Cruiser]

I second the recommendation for Pinkham Canyon or Berdoo Canyon if you plan to enter the park from I-10. They're way better than driving pavement. Berdoo gives you an especially good view toward Squaw Tank and the what is it, Queen Valley?

Too bad the Rockhouse Canyon and Thermal Canyon areas south of Berdoo are closed now. They were fun to explore and not far from the Palm Springs area.

Have fun wherever you go!

Thanks!

[MrS]

I'll keep you guys posted on the trip dates, etc if I end up going.


I checked out the Ghostowns.com, but the site is gone.

At some point you should go check out JTNP. I'm sure it will be there for a long time, so no supper hurry. Ha Ha

Here try this: http://www.ghosttowns.com/

[FJ Cruiser]

At some point you should go check out JTNP. I'm sure it will be there for a long time, so no supper hurry. Ha Ha

Here try this: http://www.ghosttowns.com/

go it, thanks!