A photo story

Joshua Tree and the Boy Scout Trail

A weathered brick entrance sign reading Entering Joshua Tree National Park, photographed in November 2023, with the National Park Service arrowhead beside it. Wispy clouds streak across the sky behind it, and dry golden grass fills the bottom corner. Laura and I came into the park with two of our friends for Friendsgiving, and this sign was the start of the visit.

We hiked the Boy Scout Trail that day, and it was a beautiful day. The trail runs about 8 miles one way between the Boy Scout trailhead at Keys West, along Park Boulevard inside the West Entrance, and the Indian Cove backcountry board at the north end. The Park Service lists it as a strenuous hike, with about 1,190 feet of elevation change, and a vehicle shuttle is strongly recommended if you want to do the full length as a point-to-point. Many hikers do a shorter section and turn around. The path is dirt, rock, and sand, hard packed in places and sandy in others, and it runs through Joshua tree woodland and washes and goes deep into the Wonderland of Rocks, an area of granite cliffs, canyons, domes, and boulder piles. There is little shade, and the Park Service tells you to stay on the trail so you don't get lost among the boulders.

Along the trail we came across a dead desert tortoise. Desert tortoises are federally threatened, and they're protected in the park. Coming across one like that is something you don't forget.

We were there for Friendsgiving, Laura and me and two of our friends, and we had a lot of fun. Full-time RV life takes you a lot of places, and a trip like that is a big part of why we live this way. Time in Joshua Tree with friends is the kind of visit you hold onto.