How long does it take?         7am—9pm.

How far is it?                         3 miles up and down piles of giant boulders.

How steep is it?                     No elevation gain.

How much $$?                      Drivers pay $10 to enter the National Park.

Best part?                              The look of the place.

Worst part?                           The long drive.   Sometimes it’s hot.

GEO’s Joshua Tree Adventure is unlike any other hike. In fact, it’s not really a hike…..it’s an adventure! It’s hard to say exactly what will happen this year, because something different happens every year. Just know that once you drive two and half hours out in the middle of the desert, there’s bound to be ample exploring, climbing, squeezing, and leaping to fill the day. There’s something like a scavenger hunt and everybody must do their part to participate.

There are all sorts of hazards to watch out for and you really should be in good physical shape to endure the obstacles and heat. If you like big rocks and climbing and exploring historic ruins and walking among wildflowers and looking out over great expanses of Joshua trees, then you’ll find something on the trail to entertain you.

Although we leave the school no later than 7:30am, we still don’t get on the trail until 10am. Be prepared for a 2-hour drive just to get to the entrance station at Joshua Tree National Park. Somewhere along the way, there’s a rest stop scheduled near a bathroom with running water (your last). National Park fees are $10 per car and it’s a good idea for everybody to chip in money for the driver. When we finally leave the paved highway at Hidden Valley Campground about 30 minutes later and grind along a washboard road to the Barker Dam Trailhead, we are surrounded by picturesque piles of yellow boulders and forests of prehistoric looking Joshua trees. This area is called the Wonderland of Rocks.

The High Desert is an unpredictable place. Sometimes, the weather is perfectly temperate. Sometimes, it’s way too hot, and sometimes it’s really cold and windy. Expect anything, but be sure to bring sunscreen and a hat because there’s little shade on the trail. Once all the cars have parked, we dress for hot or cold, then lock up the cars. The advisor provides ample warnings about stickers and critters and cautions hikers to be ultra careful. Afterwards, the treasure hunt begins.

Just how GEO happened upon the first series of clues many years ago is anyone’s guess but, now, it’s almost like someone’s expecting us. Each year, GEO officers consult with locals in nearby Twentynine Palms for any tips on where to locate additional sets of clues. Some of the stuff we find looks 20 years old, while other parts look as though they could’ve been planted yesterday. It’s hard to tell.

The whole day takes place in and around an old ranch homestead that dates back before the government managed the land. The clues tend to suggest that descendents of the original homesteaders are behind the game. The route takes hikers all over, pausing at unusual ruins and relics, points of interest, or challenging obstacles. Old equipment, and buildings still litter the area. We stop for lunch along the way overlooking the desert. The adventure usually takes 6 hours or more. Still, don’t expect anything of material value to surface at the end of it all. Just be amazed that anyone went to all this trouble to plan out this little adventure.

It’s very easy to get lost in the Wonderland of Rocks. Our small group seems isolated from the many 100’s of other hikers, families, and rock climbers who use the area. Even with a compass, it’s hard to find your way back to the cars with all the twisting, turning, canyons, and caves. For that reason, it’s very important for people to stick together. It’s best to team up when climbing up and over rock piles. Some people freeze-up during some of the more dizzying parts and need coaching. Sometimes ropes are used where footholds are few.

There’s a lot of adventure packed into a couple of square miles. By the end of the day, hikers are generally exhausted and hungry and want to stop at a fast food place in the nearest town. Expect to get home around 8 or 9pm following the 2-hour drive back to the school.

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