Joshua Tree National Park

A drive through Joshua Tree National Park might take a couple hours, viewing the park from the road. An exploration of the park would take a lifetime. Joshua Tree National Park has over 550,000 acres of wilderness filled with a variety of plants and animals that make their home in this land shaped by strong winds, unpredictable torrents of rain, and climatic extremes. Every now and then, man intrudes in this wilderness and leaves his brief, passing mark among the surreal geologic features that cover the landscape. Let’s go see what we can find.

Elliot Koeppel 6/4/23 Elliot Koeppel 6/4/23

The Desert isn’t Dead - Joshua Tree National Park

Back in early May, opportunity presented itself and said, “Hey, your aunt and uncle will be in Twentynine Palms for a couple days, it would be great to spend some time with them and show off your vast knowledge of neat places to visit in the park.”

Elliot Koeppel 4/11/23 Elliot Koeppel 4/11/23

Red, White & Blue! (orange, purple & yellow, too) - Joshua Tree National Park

I was lucky enough to be able to spend all day Sunday in the park. My trip plan consisted of obtaining Beef Jerky at the local 7-11, icing down my Dr. Pepper and Prime, grabbing some other snacks and then heading straight to the sandy washes south of Cottonwood Springs, to look for colorful things.

Elliot Koeppel 4/12/22 Elliot Koeppel 4/12/22

Live Oak Picnic Area - Joshua Tree National Park

I can’t remember ever having visited this area without taking a picture of the namesake Live Oak. But it happened on this trip. However, I did get a picture from underneath it while enjoying its welcome shade.

Elliot Koeppel 4/7/22 Elliot Koeppel 4/7/22

Across the Street from Skull Rock - Joshua Tree National Park

Skull Rock is most likely one of the most iconic attractions in the park. Who can resist stopping when those two large, eerie eyes catch your eye as you slowly drive closer and closer.