I just returned from a short 2-day turnaround trip to Joshua Tree National Park this afternoon. For those that are interested the weather was great with a bit of wind on Sunday, but overall perfect temperatures finally. As a result of the recent rains here in So Cal there were many traces of minor flash flooding across many roadways as well as through the gullies and dry wash areas. The ground was perfect with a certain amount of moisture still in it giving a very pleasant hiking and photography-working environment.
Additionally, the foliages were all benefiting from the recent rains and all looked very healthy as a result of the very needed precipitation.
Lighting was good, but did have a bit of the typical winter diffused cover taking hold at times, but not too bad at all. Even the darn Palm Springs Airport contrails were at an all time low, even this morning with the start of the new workweek and the many business departures out there today.
As a result of the Thanksgiving Holiday I had never seen the park so PACKED! There were folks everywhere out there. However, it was already on the clearing out stages Sunday evening and things should be much backed to normal as of this afternoon.
Posted by Richard Wong on December 1, 2008 at 8:35 PM
Hey Paul. You missed me by half a day. I was there on Saturday and left yesterday morning after sunrise.
The weather was pretty nice. Neither cold nor hot except for Keys View as expected...
I agree about the crowds. A LOT of climbers, many of them women even.
The part that sucked was the parents allowing their kids to climb all over the petroglyphs near Barker Dam.
Gosh Richard, too bad we could not have linked up out there. However, I cannot tell you how many times I had cancelled this trip for a variety of reasons. As a result, I never really know when I might get to certain locations at times anymore. Anyway, as the weather has finally cooled down out there I hope to make more outings in the next few months. Yep, Lots & Lots of climbers. They were on every rock out there.
Sorry to hear about the issue with the petroglyphs. Sadly our national park system has been under siege for years now, some non-intentional like this one with kids of course, but a lot is flat out law breaking and planned events of theft & destruction. I guess I knew the world had changed the very first time I saw a Park Ranger wearing a 9mm. I grew up with weapons and still have many, but I feel very weird when I see a ranger packing, seems very un-park like. On top of that there has been a big push by gun folks to allow loaded weapons to be transported in vehicles in N.P.s nation wide. Why in the world would this need ever be necessary for the general public? Growing up I always saw our N.P.s as sanctuaries from all that.
Posted by Richard Wong on December 2, 2008 at 3:03 AM
I overheard some lady talking about how last time she went to the petroglphs and these kids were on there bashing rocks on the art work! She got ticked off and screamed at them. I smiled to myself after hearing that.
The rangers at JTNP pack heat? The first time I went there about 8 or 9 years ago there wasn't even an official west entrance point. I think it had just became a national park at that time. In some regards maybe it was better off as a national monument.
Posted by Eric Good on December 9, 2008 at 2:07 AM
Man I was so close to heading out there Sunday evening for a bomber run. I thought it'd be good excuse to break in my new tent and try to capture what little storm was brewing. Thanks for the report... I can't wait to get out there no that it is cooler.
Discussion
4 repliesAdditionally, the foliages were all benefiting from the recent rains and all looked very healthy as a result of the very needed precipitation.
Lighting was good, but did have a bit of the typical winter diffused cover taking hold at times, but not too bad at all. Even the darn Palm Springs Airport contrails were at an all time low, even this morning with the start of the new workweek and the many business departures out there today.
As a result of the Thanksgiving Holiday I had never seen the park so PACKED! There were folks everywhere out there. However, it was already on the clearing out stages Sunday evening and things should be much backed to normal as of this afternoon.
The weather was pretty nice. Neither cold nor hot except for Keys View as expected...
I agree about the crowds. A LOT of climbers, many of them women even.
The part that sucked was the parents allowing their kids to climb all over the petroglyphs near Barker Dam.
Sorry to hear about the issue with the petroglyphs. Sadly our national park system has been under siege for years now, some non-intentional like this one with kids of course, but a lot is flat out law breaking and planned events of theft & destruction. I guess I knew the world had changed the very first time I saw a Park Ranger wearing a 9mm. I grew up with weapons and still have many, but I feel very weird when I see a ranger packing, seems very un-park like. On top of that there has been a big push by gun folks to allow loaded weapons to be transported in vehicles in N.P.s nation wide. Why in the world would this need ever be necessary for the general public? Growing up I always saw our N.P.s as sanctuaries from all that.
The rangers at JTNP pack heat? The first time I went there about 8 or 9 years ago there wasn't even an official west entrance point. I think it had just became a national park at that time. In some regards maybe it was better off as a national monument.