Posted by Eric Good on December 18, 2008 at 1:26 AM
Ever since I took up photography a few years ago I’ve wanted to capture Joshua Tree NP with snow. But because it generally gets minimal amounts of precipitation this has eluded me thus far.
Well last night I looked at a few of the weather forecasts and thought this current cold spell and approaching storm could be the ticket. So I quickly packed up my gear and headed out there late last night to try to beat the storm. I rolled in to the Jumbo Rocks campground with 2-4 inches of snow on the ground, set up camp and took a nap. After I awoke and prepared to scout out compositions for after the storm cleared, a ranger appeared and said the park was being closed and I needed to break camp and prepare to leave. I couldn’t believe it. I went from being completely ecstatic to utterly bewildered.
I didn’t think about it at the time, but when the ranger let me out of locked park gate, I asked if I had parked near a wilderness post and backpacked in, if I would have been allowed to stay. It sounded like that would not have been a problem. I’m not sure I understand the logic there, but just thought I’d throw that out there for those who might run into this situation themselves and wish to stay under these conditions. Anyhow this is the only shot I took (my camp) and this is what the park looked like early this afternoon for those who might like to head out there in the near future.
I had similar plans (for a different area) but a blown headlight made me late and left me on the wrong side of a closed I-5 :-(
Posted by Bryan Pezman on December 18, 2008 at 3:48 AM
Eric,
I was pressed for time this week but had been eyeballing a trip to JT as well to finally capture the rare winter vista. As it turns out, I was not able to make the trek, and based on your report, I'm feeling fortunate about it.
I would have been crushed had I gotten that close, only to be shooed away by the rangers. What was their reasoning? I know this is a decent winter storm there but its not like they were going to have to do major rescues. Geez. Sorry to hear that you got skunked on what is sure to be a very incredible photo op. Hope you can get back there tomorrow!
Eric, thank you for this very important update. I had plans of hitting JTNP tomorrow Friday. However, I have been tracking things and anticipated this could be a park closing event. When I was out there not too long ago it had looked like they had just barely cleaned the roadways up from some of the flash flooding from the previous rains.
For sure I will be calling the park headquarters today to see what they are doing out there.
Posted by Eric A. Rosen on December 18, 2008 at 3:36 PM
Oh, man this is what I am talking about regarding Joshua Tree.. You think any snow will be left on Sunday? I am heading to Phoenix and was thinking about stopping there on the way....
Been looking to shoot JT after a snow storm for years....
Posted by Richard Wong on December 18, 2008 at 4:12 PM
Surreal scene Eric. I didn't know that they could close JTNP. The southern entrance doesn't even have a gate or toll booth last time I checked.
Richard, I think you are right about the southern entrance, however, there is a gate at the fork between the Willow cutoff heading south and the main park drive heading east and west. It is just passed the white tank camping area as I recall. So, access would only be in the lower south entrance unless they have coned it off by now.
I tried calling out there twice today. Recorded info was old news this morning and when I called the Hdqts. I got an answering machine. Left a call back number, nothing yet.
Anyone else heard anything yet????
Posted by Derek Sedillo on December 19, 2008 at 12:35 AM
Wow,
That is quite a dumping. But it is kind of sad they would close it because of snow. In Colorado it is just the opposite. That is when the fun starts. The rangers will be there to make sure everyone is all right of course. But families are out snowshoeing, photographers are out shooting, etc... This just seems silly if you ask me.
Hopefully N. Cal. won't have this same attitude when I head over to the Sierras this Winter.
Derek
Posted by Jetson Nguyen on December 20, 2008 at 12:30 AM
Any idea if there is still any snow in Joshua Tree or has it all melted. I plan on driving by on Monday.
Posted by Richard Wong on December 20, 2008 at 2:07 AM
Would it be possible to take the car off the road to circumnavigate the gate?
Richard, to me the snow truly looked too deep to manuever around any gates per se. I have 4WD and was sliding around the entrance booth just turning around. My plan is to try again tomorrow before the next storm comes in. If the gate is closed I plan to hike in a short way along the road and at least capture something for my efforts.
Discussion
10 repliesWell last night I looked at a few of the weather forecasts and thought this current cold spell and approaching storm could be the ticket. So I quickly packed up my gear and headed out there late last night to try to beat the storm. I rolled in to the Jumbo Rocks campground with 2-4 inches of snow on the ground, set up camp and took a nap. After I awoke and prepared to scout out compositions for after the storm cleared, a ranger appeared and said the park was being closed and I needed to break camp and prepare to leave. I couldn’t believe it. I went from being completely ecstatic to utterly bewildered.
I didn’t think about it at the time, but when the ranger let me out of locked park gate, I asked if I had parked near a wilderness post and backpacked in, if I would have been allowed to stay. It sounded like that would not have been a problem. I’m not sure I understand the logic there, but just thought I’d throw that out there for those who might run into this situation themselves and wish to stay under these conditions. Anyhow this is the only shot I took (my camp) and this is what the park looked like early this afternoon for those who might like to head out there in the near future.
~Eric
I had similar plans (for a different area) but a blown headlight made me late and left me on the wrong side of a closed I-5 :-(
I was pressed for time this week but had been eyeballing a trip to JT as well to finally capture the rare winter vista. As it turns out, I was not able to make the trek, and based on your report, I'm feeling fortunate about it.
I would have been crushed had I gotten that close, only to be shooed away by the rangers. What was their reasoning? I know this is a decent winter storm there but its not like they were going to have to do major rescues. Geez. Sorry to hear that you got skunked on what is sure to be a very incredible photo op. Hope you can get back there tomorrow!
For sure I will be calling the park headquarters today to see what they are doing out there.
Been looking to shoot JT after a snow storm for years....
I tried calling out there twice today. Recorded info was old news this morning and when I called the Hdqts. I got an answering machine. Left a call back number, nothing yet.
Anyone else heard anything yet????
That is quite a dumping. But it is kind of sad they would close it because of snow. In Colorado it is just the opposite. That is when the fun starts. The rangers will be there to make sure everyone is all right of course. But families are out snowshoeing, photographers are out shooting, etc... This just seems silly if you ask me.
Hopefully N. Cal. won't have this same attitude when I head over to the Sierras this Winter.
Derek