From Las Vegas: 4-Day Hiking and Camping in Joshua Tree – California, California

EXPERIENCE

Day 1: After a morning hotel pickup in Las Vegas, take a scenic drive through sparsely populated desert expanses, picking up additional group members at the Oasis Visitor Center along the way, then drive into the heart of the park to reach Sheep Pass Campground. After lunch, hike to the summit of Ryan Mountain and take in stunning 360-degree summit views of granite rock piles that seem to melt into the surrounding plateau. Returning to camp, enjoy a delicious campfire dinner and admire the sparkling stars of the Milky Way overhead.

Special Information: Today s driving time is approximately 4 hours. Today s walking distance is 5 kms (3 miles) with an elevation gain of 305m (1000 feet).

Day 2: After breakfast, visit the Teddy Bear Cholla Garden then make your way to today s main hike: The Lost Palms Oasis. Sustained by water seeping up through fault lines, five oases can be found within Joshua Tree National Park, and today you will visit two of them. Meander over arroyos and through sandy smoke tree washes to reach the park s largest group of California Fan Palms where you will enjoy lunch. From here, hike back to the trailhead, soaking in views of Southern California s largest lake, the Salton Sea, and perhaps take an additional hike to Arch Rock.

Special Information: Today s walking distance is 13kms (8 miles) with an elevation gain of 305m (1000 feet). Today s driving time is approximately 2.5 hours.

Day 3: Soak in the sight of Joshua trees silhouetted against the break of day, or climb to the top of one of the monoliths surrounding camp to greet the morning before our first group hike of the day to Barker Dam. Admire the petroglyphs, learn about the Native American history of the area, and listen to tall tales from the days of gold mining and cattlemen before you head to another part of the Wonderland of Rocks: The Maze. This trail will take you through spires, granite monoliths, and rock formations to a grand finale of breathtaking views of the national park. Returning back to camp, enjoy one last evening of hearty food, good company, and a campfire beneath the desert sky.

Special Information: Today s driving time is approximately 30 minutes. Today s walking distance is up to 13kms (8 miles) with an elevation gain of up to 150m (500 feet).

Day 4: After breakfast, break down camp and head to Hidden Valley, an ecological haven with incredibly diverse flora. Conditions permitting, you will then scramble through one or more of Indian Cove s finest remote hollows. After soaking in the astounding landscape and enjoying one last lunch together, bid farewell to any group members departing directly from the park then embark on a scenic drive back to Las Vegas where your trip will come to an end.

Special Information: Today s total driving time is approximately 4 hours. Today s walking distance is up to 8kms (5 miles) with an elevation gain of approximately 180m (600 feet).

HIGHLIGHTS

Explore Joshua Tree National Park hike some most iconic and classic treks
Climb to the top of one of the monoliths surrounding camp to greet the morning
Hike to the summit of Ryan Mountain and take in stunning 360-degree summit views
Discover two of the five oases that are found in Joshua Tree National Park

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