4 Hidden Valley
It’s time to jump into
Joshua Tree National
Park (%760-367-5500;
http://www.nps.gov/jotr; 7-day entry
permit per car $15; h24hr;
c), a wonderland of
jumbo rocks interspersed
with sandy forests of
Joshua trees. Related
to agave plants, Joshua
trees were named by
Mormon settlers who
thought the twisted,
spiky arms resembled a
prophet’s arms stretching
toward God. Revel in
the scenery as you drive
along the winding parkroad for about 7 miles
to Hidden Valley picnic
area. Turn left and drive
past the campground to
the trailhead for Barker
Dam. Here a kid-friendly
nature trail loops for a
mile past a pretty little
artificial lake and a
rock incised with Native
American petroglyphs.
If you enjoy history and
Western lore, reserve
ahead for a 90-minute
guided walking tour
of nearby Keys Ranch
(%760-367-5555; adult/child
$5/2.50; husually 10am &
1pm), where 19th-century
pioneer homesteaders
tried their hand at cattleranching, mining and
desert farming.4 p347
The Drive » Backtrack to
Park Blvd, turn left and head
south again past jumbled
rock formations and fields of
spiky Joshua trees. Take the
well-signed right turn toward
Keys View. You’ll pass several
trailheads and roadside
interpretive exhibits over the
next 5.5 miles leading up to the
viewpoint.5 Keys View
Leave Hidden Valley
at least an hour before
sunset for the drive up
to Keys View, whereTRIP HIGHLIGHTTRIP HIGHLIGHTMOMATIUK - EASTCOTT / CORBIS ©SOUTHERN.CALIFORNIA.33
(^) PALM SPRINGS & JOSHUA TREE OASES