Joshua Tree National Park Backpacking
Experience some of the coolest rock formations and odd vegetation of Joshua Tree National Park. One of our favorite skylines! Giant rock boulders shadow against the sunset while oddly shaped Joshua Tree show their silhouettes against the star filled sky!
A perfect backpacking trip for anyone!
Get up close and personal with the famous Joshua Tree! Scurry over and under giant boulders and mountains! Look for critters that crawl, slither or fly! Look at some of the best stars the desert has to offer! Jaw dropping sunsets and crisp sunrises! This beginner backpacking trip has it all!
4 day Joshua Tree Backpacking
A great introduction to backpacking or an enjoyable trip for those more experienced! A perfect time of year to escape the fall and winter doldrums. Joshua tree is the perfect place to reset and revitalize yourself for the season!
Meeting up in Palm Springs we set off on our trek towards Joshua Tree National Park. Our afternoon hike takes us onto the Boy Scout Trail where we will cache our water for the week...it's a desert after all! Making our way back to the trailhead we make our way to camp for the evening. After dinner we prepare our packs for our backpack experience and take in the dark sky stars.
Hike: Boy Scout Trail 3900 ft elevation. 4-6 mile out-and-back, 200 ft gain / 200 ft descent
Lunch/Dinner included
An early morning sunrise and coffee get us fired up for the day of hiking! Today gets us into our highest views as we traverse The Maze trail towards the center of the park to camp. Epic views as far as the eye can see will surround us as we take in sunset and the night flyers in the sky.
Hike: The Maze 4000 ft elevation. 6-8 mile point-to-point, 900 ft gain / 700 ft descent
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included
Hot coffee and breakfast start this awesome day inside the Wonderland of Rocks! Circled by boulders balancing on precarious slopes and giant uplifted piles of granite you might just forget to blink! Jumping over and under the granite boulders we make our way through the wilderness out of the Wonderland. Some mid-day rock scrambling and lunch wraps up the day as we return to camp for the night.
(Plan on some rock scrambling in the Wonderland so a pair of gloves could help!)
Hike: Wonderland of Rocks 3300 ft elevation. 8 mile out-and-back, 300 ft gain /
300 ft descent
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included
Leisurely coffee with the rising sun help us get camped packed up and on trail for the day. Jumping back on The Boy Scout trail we head towards Indian Cove...a hot spot for Desert Bighorn sheep! Dropping out of the higher elevations we will watch the yucca disappear and creosote take over our senses...one of the best smells in the desert! We finish our hike with some views and lunch and head back to Palm Springs!
(No Flyouts before 7pm please!)
Hike: Indian Cove 3300 ft elevation. 5 miles point-to-point, 100 ft gain / 1400 ft descent
Breakfast/Lunch included
Provided Backpacking Gear
-Trekking poles; adjustable, foam grip
-1 person OR 3 person tent, your choice
-30 degree mummy bag
-Foam Pad
-Air pad
-Air pillow
-Sleeping bag liner
-Bowl, spoon
-Poop bags; toilet paper, wipes, zip locks (pack out TP/wipes only)
-Earplugs, liquid IVs, hand warmers
-Helinox Zero chair
-Water filtration systems and backup filters
-Cooking & cleaning setup
-Food storage bags / bear canisters
Required Pack List - Backpacking
-Light source; rechargeable headlamp strongly suggested
-55-70 liter backpacking bag
-3 liter water capacity; 2L or 3L hydration bladder plus a liter nalgene
-Sturdy hiking boots/shoes; something you already wear and like is always best! Please “break in” new shoes on at least 3 hikes before bringing them on a backpack trip!
-Base clothes; Sun hoodies, synthetic breathable/lightweight/durable outdoor pants, sun gloves and hats are our friends in the southwest! Quality socks & underwear
-Rain jacket
-Puffy jacket / fleece warmth layer for core
-Sunhat or ballcap and sun hoodie combo. Lightweight beanie for nights
-Drink mug/cup
-Personal toiletries; try and keep light and simple, people often overpack here. Pro tip, clip your nails before arriving!
-Pack as much as you want, we have plenty of room in our trailer for everyone’s duffel & backpacking bags. Make sure to have a change of clothes for the ride home!
-Luxury items; camera, phone charger cords, etc.
-Personal medications; we use ice pack cold bags for our food, but we can’t guarantee the ability to keep medications cold the whole trip if that is needed. Let us know regardless
-Good attitude! :)
Additional Cold Weather List (20-40F at night) - Backpacking
-Thermal wool base layer top and bottom
-Warm hiking / camp gloves
-Wool socks, 2 extra sets
-Warm neck gaiter, game changer piece of clothing for windchill
-Nalgene; hot water inside, wrap in extra clothes at bottom of sleeping bag for warmth
-Warm beanie
Guide Carried Gear
-Group medical kits
-Poop kit restock, trowels
-Radios
-Garmin InReach
-Extra water
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