null
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Post by null on Jun 20, 2019 4:58:35 GMT -8
I'm considering backpacking across Joshua Tree next March. I'd like to start on the Fried Liver Wash Trail, head East to the Park Road (get water), head off-trail across the desert to the Big Wash Trail (get water) and hike the entire Big Wash Trail down towards I-10. A few questions - Is the Fried Liver Wash trail an actual trail or is it more of a suggestion that follows a long wash?
- Is the Big Wash Trail an actual trail or is it more of a suggestion that follows a long wash?
- Can I expect to see any Joshua trees along this route? Where? Is this elevation dependent?
- How passable is the road to the Big Wash Trail by a non-4x4 vehicle?
- Is there any shade along the route? I guess this is the same question as the one about Joshua Trees, but maybe there are some obvious rock formations
- About how many miles is the trek across the desert between trailheads?
- I know we are officially supposed to leave all surface water we find in the park. But if there's an emergency, can I reasonably expect to find any water along the route? The only surface water I've seen in the park is in Smith Water Canyon and I obviously didn't take any of it. But just in case...
- Future reference: Has anyone ever hiked the big, flat, "empty" area Northeast of Big Wash?
- Any other information you may have about such a route?
The 2 aforementioned trails appear on the Trails Illustrated Map, but so does the Bigfoot Trail, which I've hiked but is really more of a suggestion / route than a marked trail. So that's why I'm asking.
Thanks,
Steve
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Post by johntpenca on Aug 11, 2019 12:06:42 GMT -8
Since you have not received any responses to BPing, I'll give you my two cents.
I don't see JT as a place for a muli-day backpack. Just my opinion. I'd reserve a campsite and dayhike out of it. If you want to spend an overnighter away from camp, take a dayhike to stash some water. Then use the water stash to support a longer overnighter.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Aug 15, 2019 8:00:53 GMT -8
Since you have not received any responses to BPing, I'll give you my two cents. I don't see JT as a place for a muli-day backpack. Just my opinion. I'd reserve a campsite and dayhike out of it. If you want to spend an overnighter away from camp, take a dayhike to stash some water. Then use the water stash to support a longer overnighter. I wouldn’t go this far. We have done some pleasant over-nighters in JT. I don’t know anything about the broader area null is asking about, but we did the Boyscout trail as an overnight (that might become more sensible if you can’t do a shuttle—hike into the heart of the rock area, camp, explore in the a.m. and then back to your car. We did essentially that one year to hike to Willow Hole). We’ve also done one or two short overnights up random washes in search of a) flowers, and b) a place to sleep (permits are required). The need to carry all your water makes me reluctant to do more than a “lightning overnight” where we may even start after dinner, and return before lunch. Obviously if you are willing/able to carry more water, you can do more. Joshua Trees grow, IIRC, between about 3500’ and 4500’. They primarily grow in the park in a strip above the Wilderness of Rocks, and not at all on the south (I-10) side of the park. |
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davesenesac
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Post by davesenesac on Aug 15, 2019 10:12:03 GMT -8
JT is a huge park covering a long list of USGS topo maps and even longer list of washes most of which few people recognize by topo name. Thus it would have helped providing a link to an online topo or at least explaining where those washes are.
Desert washes don't have trails as flash floods would erase any sign of a trail. In any case there are no physical features to block one just walking up any of them as for the most part are just flat sand and gravel with scattered vegetation. One will find scattered desert trees for shade. But no Joshua Trees, as Rebecca noted they are all up on the highlands. Of course there are washes in those areas too one might hike into though most vegetation stay dormant till early April. Note washes within steeper landscapes may have impassable dry falls.
I've driven most of the way down that Geology Tour Road but not to the one-way section of the trailhead. Was fine though each winter flashfloods can change erodable roads. Few people much less members here have likely hiked either of those washes. I've been up a number of such obscure washes and beyond a quarter mile one is unlikely to ever see human footprints mainly because even in winter they tend to remain dry except briefly during actual large storms that are uncommon and then water may not be filterable due to muddiness. After flash floods most of the water quickly sinks into the sand. Most visitors in all our Southwest desert parks are simply afraid of venturing far from roads in waterless landscapes. It's ridiculous and makes resident rangers laugh whenever I've mentioned it. Death Valley is probably the worst. Those that do go into those areas are far more likely to be 4WD enthusiasts but then they don't venture far from their rigs. These desert parks have vast areas beyond 4wd roads very few people ever step foot on so yeah great places to explore in late winter into early spring.
Looking at your route, the date is ideal for vegetation and wildflowers. The length is unreasonable for carrying water. People that backpack into such places do not plan such long trips for that reason, water is much too heavy. In fact few backpack at all. Instead if they do as Rebecca related, they tend to do short one-night out and back trips.
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desert dweller
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Post by desert dweller on Aug 16, 2019 13:58:19 GMT -8
null How about trying out The Crawl in Joshua Tree. It's a semi-secret path that goes beneath the large boulder talus near Indian Cove campground. It looks something fun and different to do while in the area. It's about 0.4 miles round trip completely under the boulders. I'm thinking about doing it this fall. link
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Aug 17, 2019 7:36:13 GMT -8
null How about trying out The Crawl in Joshua Tree. It's a semi-secret path that goes beneath the large boulder talus near Indian Cove campground. It looks something fun and different to do while in the area. It's about 0.4 miles round trip completely under the boulders. I'm thinking about doing it this fall. link And... it’s published on the internet with directions. Won’t be long before it has the same problems that made them close Rattlesnake Cyn. |
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Post by johntpenca on Aug 17, 2019 12:37:23 GMT -8
The need to carry all your water makes me reluctant to do more than a “lightning overnight” I agree. Guess I thought he meant a multi-night trip. Certainly overnights are doable. As are multi-nights if you stash water at strategic locations. It's just my perspective is that Joshua Tree is pretty much the same evvrywhere you look. Sand, cactus and rocks. There are some exception such as the few oasis' and Joshua Tree forests, but they can be reached on day hikes. Go on a long dayhike and you can pretty much see whatever there is. A hike up Ryan Mountain is a good time. For me, it's much nicer to come back to a camp with lotsa water for cooking, washing, etc. If you go this route, reserve a site WELL in advance. March and April are VERY busy in the park. Disclaimer: I've never backpacked in JT but have climbed throughout most of the park and driven any road suitable for a normal vehicle. I'm pretty aggressive when it comes to taking my car off road. Campgrounds are noisy from sun up till about 11 PM due to RV generators; quiet hours don't seem to be enforced. I set up my campsite then head into the backcountry as much as possible. At night, I head about a half mile or so into the backcountry after dinner to enjoy the peace and quiet of sunset and sunrise and get a good nights sleep. JT has low desert sections and high desert sections. Temperatures and wind conditions are significantly different between low desert and high desert. |
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null
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Post by null on Aug 26, 2019 8:26:36 GMT -8
Sorry to be late to my own party, but I've been in the Yellowstone backcountry for the last two weeks (so not really that sorry).
I've actually backpacked Joshua Tree several times. The key is to strategically cache water. For example, I backpacked the California Riding and Hiking Trail starting at the East trailhead. Cache some water near Belle. Cache some water near Ryan. Cache some water at the Covington Backcountry Board. Note: We turned off at the Backcountry Board to hike Smith Water Canyon and then back to the Park Road. We also tagged Quail Peak along the way. Nice week of hiking.
Another route I've done: Start at the Boy Scout Trailhead, to Big Pine, across the Park Rd. (water cache), Panorama Trail to the Bigfoot Trail (ha ha, not really a trail but a route). Cache water at the dirt road that goes to Eureka Peak and also cache water at Covington BB while you're out there. On to Blackrock for a frontcountry night. Then Eureka Peak, Covington BB, Covington Crest makes a nice trip, down Smith Water Canyon and out to the Park Road.
For my proposed itinerary, I'd have 2 water caches. Not a lot but still doable if everyone carries 10 liters of water.
So any beta about the Fried Liver Wash Trail is still appreciated.
Thanks,
Steve
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