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National Park Service Joshua Tree National Park U.S. Department of the Interior The offi cial newspaper February – May 2017 Spring Guide Brittlebush blooms on rocky slopes near Cottonwood Springs Oasis. NPS/Brad Sutton The Desert Unsung IT’S BEEN THIRTY YEARS SINCE THE BAND U2 RELEASED THE JOSHUA Desert, and roughly half of the park’s 792,510 acres Tree in March 1987. It was this album that catapulted lie in the hotter, drier, and lower-elevation Colorado the four Irishmen to international stardom; it was this Desert—a subsection of the Sonoran Desert. album that drew the curious eyes of a generation to the otherworldly landscapes of the Southern California One great way to round out your park visit is to make desert. The iconic back cover photo by Anton Corbijn, sure you spend time in both the Mojave and the Colorado showing the band standing near a lone Joshua tree, Deserts. Even if you have only a short time in the park, cemented the association between the park and the head for the Pinto Basin and stop at one of the pullouts album—even though the picture was taken off Highway along the road. Step out of your car. Soak in the silence 190 near Death Valley, about 200 miles north of here. and admire the immensity of the vista before you. Welcome to your park. Many of the 2 million people who come to Joshua Tree From the Turkey Flats backcountry board, for example, National Park each year are specifi cally looking for Joshua you can look across vast sweeps of undeveloped I just wanted to take a moment and trees. Something about the bizarre forms of these wilderness to the Coxcomb Mountains, 25 miles distant. welcome you to Southern California’s branching yuccas captures the imagination. There’s Creosote bush and white bursage are the dominant national park. Joshua Tree is the iconic no denying the plants are charismatic and a highlight shrubs growing in this huge basin. There isn’t a single symbol of the Mojave Desert. This year you of a trip to the park. Joshua tree in sight, but the Colorado Desert you’re are joining millions of people from around standing in has charismatic trees of its own. the globe who will experience the diverse, They aren’t the only highlight, though. VisitorsColorado Desert inspiring scenery that stretches across the Mojave Desert who travel through only the northwestern part of Dry washes are a great place to look for trees like park. Transition Zone Joshua Tree National Park the park, where Joshua trees grow, are missing out: ironwood, smoketree, and blue palo verde. Their our namesake plants are found only in the Mojave seeds sprout after being tumbled and bounced with As you discover the desert, I would …continued on p. 10 encourage you to also explore the neighboring landscapes that are preserved Joshua Tree Visitor Center Oasis Visitor Center for your enjoyment and that of generations to come. In addition to our northern T sister parks at Mojave National Preserve Great Basin E R Black Rock Nature Center E S and Death Valley National Park, please D E E N take some time to visit the millions of V O A Z J acres of public lands managed by the T R Mojave O E M S Bureau of Land Management and the S A E N D A N D Joshua Tree R E O A S US Forest Service. Our newest neighbor D F A Sonoran U N L T A O R I O to the east—Sand to Snow National Colorado T L S I A N S O Desert A Monument—links Joshua Tree to the N D R E N C A S A F A Chihuahuan U L T R wild slopes of Mt. San Gorgonio. To the T Cottonwood Visitor Center north, Mojave Trails National Monument S E A L E V interprets prehistoric cultures as well as E L Route 66. The Colorado Desert is a subsection of the larger Sonoran Desert (left). The transition zone between the Colorado and Mojave Deserts hosts a wealth of biological diversity and is home to species characteristic of both deserts (right). Living in the west, we are truly lucky to have so many wonderful natural and Visiting on the Wing Fragments of the Past Safety; Rules & Regulations … p. 2 cultural treasures to enjoy. Take advantage What to See and Do; Leave No Trace ... p. 3 of these opportunities and relish the chance to see something new on your Springtime brings visitors of all types to Joshua How can the fossilized bones of extinct Hiking Trails … p. 4 public lands. Tree, including not just humans but also our animals and artifacts left by past people help Camping; Equestrian Use … p. 5 feathered friends. Find out why birds not us understand how climate change may Sincerely, typically found in the desert show up here every affect Joshua Tree’s future? Take a look at Park Map; Essential Information ... p. 6-7 spring. Get tips on where to spot commonly how scientists use fossils to reconstruct past Geology; Joshua Trees ... p. 9 (and not so commonly) seen species. Whether environments, learn about the creatures who you’re completely new to birdwatching or are once roamed this landscape, and discover how Night Sky Almanac ... p. 10 David Smith David Smith an advanced birder, the park’s birds are sure the environment shapes plants, animals, and Weather Information ... p. 11 Superintendent to catch your eye, as Park Ranger Beth Hudick humans. Brad Sutton digs into what we have Ranger Programs … p. 12 explains on p. 8. discovered about Joshua Tree’s past on p. 8. National Park Service Safety: What You Need to Know U.S. Department of the Interior We want your trip to Joshua Tree to CELL PHONES ARE UNRELIABLE GIVE WILDLIFE A BRAKE be safe and enjoyable. Ultimately, Most of Joshua Tree National Park roads are narrow your safety is your responsibility. This Park is remote wilderness and % and winding, and Joshua Tree National Park preserves information will help you prepare. there is no cell coverage. Do some areas are often and protects the scenic, natural, and not count on your phone for congested. Obey posted speed limits. cultural resources representative of the BRING WATER WITH YOU navigation or in case of emergency. The maximum speed in the park is 45 Colorado and Mojave Deserts’ rich Water is available at only mph (73 kph), and in many locations biological and geological diversity, cultural 7 a few locations around IN CASE OF EMERGENCY the speed limit is lower. Driving history, wilderness, recreational values, the edges of the park: Emergency phones are slowly and cautiously helps protect and outstanding opportunities for • Oasis Visitor Center in Twentynine Palms found at two locations: park wildlife. If you want to stop to education and scientifi c study. • Black Rock Campground • Indian Cove Ranger Station view animals or scenery, please use a Superintendent • Cottonwood Campground • Intersection Rock parking area near pullout and get completely out of the David Smith • West Entrance (no RV water access) Hidden Valley Campground travel lanes to prevent accidents. • Indian Cove Ranger Station (no RV Park Information If you are in an area with cell service DON’T TRUST GPS FOR DRIVING DIRECTIONS 760-367-5500 water access) and you have an emergency, dial In the desert, some GPS units or Emergency STAY HYDRATED & EAT SALTY SNACKS 909-383-5651 or 911 for assistance. navigation apps may try to direct you to Dial 909-383-5651 or 911 We recommend drinking a roads that are unsafe for your vehicle. PREVENT BITES & STINGS For safety, refer to the park map for Mailing Address minimum of one gallon (about 4 74485 National Park Drive liters) of water per person, per day. Joshua Tree is home to seven species navigation, or check with a ranger. Twentynine Palms, CA 92277 You will need more fl uids if you are of rattlesnakes, as well as venomous active: vigorous hiking, cycling, scorpions and spiders. These animals TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN Website or climbing can cause you to lose are less active in winter, but may still Flash fl oods occur when monsoon www.nps.gov/jotr water and salts at a rate of 1 ½ quarts be present on a warm day. You can thunderstorms pour large amounts Social Media per hour. Replace these fl uids and avoid problems by paying attention of rain in a short time. Avoid canyons instagram.com/JoshuaTreeNPS electrolytes by drinking water or sports to your surroundings. Never step and washes during rainstorms twitter.com/JoshuaTreeNPS drinks and consuming salty foods. or reach into places you cannot and be prepared to move to higher facebook.com/JoshuaTreeNPS see. Use a fl ashlight or headlamp at ground. While driving, be alert for fl ickr.com/JoshuaTreeNP PREPARE FOR CHANGING WEATHER night. Campers, check your shoes water running across the road. Wait youtube.com/JoshuaTreeNPS Prepare for temperature extremes and bedding for critters before use. for fl oodwaters to subside rather than trying to drive through. Email by dressing in layers. Highs in In hot weather, thirsty bees congregate [email protected] May might reach 100°F (38°C), while winter lows can plunge into around any source of moisture they can STAY OUT, STAY ALIVE Lost & Found the teens (-10°C). Hypothermia fi nd, including human perspiration Many old mine sites exist within the Report lost items on the park website at is a hazard even when the air and car AC systems.
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