Joshua Tree: Summer vs. Winter
The first time I visited Joshua Tree, it was hot and dry. Like a desert.
My second experience there couldn’t have been more different. Instead of a June visit, I was there in December, and it was chilly, the temperature hovering a few degrees above freezing.
I am not the sort of person who is deterred by a bit of bad weather. In fact, I think that bad weather gives a unique perspective on a place, and I not-so-secretly like it when the weather doesn’t cooperate. So, we borrowed my grandma’s Subaru and headed into Joshua Tree National Park.
Exploring the Terrain
With wind constantly battering and eroding the rock surfaces, Joshua Tree’s geology is beautiful. It is, in many ways, similar to what we have in the Canadian Badlands, close to where I currently live. The cold and cloudy day made the colours of the park a muted yellow, and a fog hung low in the sky.
Rainfall
The average annual rainfall in the Mojave Desert is 5 inches, so being caught in a rainstorm here was straight up awesome. As the rain fell, the desert began to pop with colour as plants opened up to soak up as much water as possible. It felt like we had walked into a Dr. Seuss book.
Go to Joshua Tree in the Fall, Winter, or Spring
Rainy season in Joshua Tree lasts from about November to April. The weather is cool but not freezing, and the colours are amazing. You might even get to see a skiff of snow cover the landscape (which I have yet to experience, but the photos I have seen are incredible).
Joshua Tree National Park has several campgrounds and hiking trails, and is also a world class rock climbing destination. And, for me, no Joshua Tree adventure is compete without a warm-up meal at Crossroads Cafe. The food is great, and friendly to all diets. The coffee is perfect. The ambiance is chill.
I’ll Be Back (Say it with Arnold’s Voice)
Despite having visited twice, I still consider myself a bit of a novice when it comes to Joshua Tree. I have yet to do any camping or serious hiking in the park. I am hoping to head back this fall, and would love to experience the place more fully. Have you been to Joshua Tree? What are your favourite hikes or campgrounds? Any other can’t-miss adventures in the area?
One response to “Caught in the Rain in Joshua Tree”
I’m sad that when the boy and I were there we didn’t get to check out the park. Next North American road trip will probably be Canada, but after that we might need to go back to the Southwestern part of the US and actually take our time this go around. Great article!