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Monday, March 23, 2015

Joshua Tree National Park - Split Rock Trail


Our February 2015 visit to Joshua Tree National Park continued with a two mile loop hike at the Split Rock picnic area. From the West Entrance Station, drive 18.6 miles on Park Boulevard to the signed intersection for Split Rock on the left. From the North Entrance Station, drive 6.7 miles on Park Boulevard to the signed intersection on the right. Then drive ½ mile on the maintained gravel road to the picnic area. To hike the trail in a counter-clockwise direction, begin in front of the large boulder at the end of the road. Since much of the trail is in the wilderness area of the park, trail signage is very minimal. However, in places where the trail is not marked it is fairly obvious where to go. Although the trail elevation profile looks very steep, the elevation range is only 160 feet with only one ascent of more than 40 feet. Plan to spend one to two hours on the trail depending on how often you stop to look at the unique rocks and plants. We chose not to take the short side trail to Face Rock. There is very little to no shade on the trail, so use lots of sunscreen and carry and drink plenty of water even on cooler days.

Trail map

Trail elevation profile with 160 foot elevation change

GPS track overlayed on a USGS aerial photograph

Split Rock is at the beginning of the trail

The right hand side of Split Rock

Looking down on the trail from beside Split Rock

Walking on the trail along the side of the large boulder that is Split Rock

Shaded area under Split Rock

More boulders along the trail

Small rocks mark the trail across large rocks

Natural rock sculpture

View from the trail

Following the trail across the valley

Elephant Rock

Tweezers Rock

Old faults were filled with newer rock

When will it roll?

Jumble of rocks off the trail

One of the short climbs out of the valley

Looking northwest to the Pinto Mountains and Twentynine Palms Mountain

Another view of the trail

Plants along the trail

Like a calving glacier, rocks have fallen off the wall

Trail signage

Yucca and creosote plants along another incline on the trail

Stone steps on the trail

Another view of the surrounding terrain

Washing machine sized marbles

Trail gradually descends back into the valley

Another view of the distant hills

California Barrel Cactus

Lots of loose rock on this inclined section of the trail

Another rock formation along the trail

Cholla cactus

Tulip Rock

Another rock climbing location

A rock face, but not THE Face Rock

Another view of the trail

Compare the size of this rock to the trail width

One of the few shady locations along the trail

A pair of rock climbers in action

The trail heads back down to the parking area

An entrance fee of $15 admits all the passengers of a single vehicle for seven days. Other options include an annual Joshua Tree National Park Pass for $30, an Interagency Annual Pass for $80 and a lifetime Interagency Senior Pass for those age 62 and older for $10.

The park website is http://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm.

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