(Photograph = California tarantula, J Maughn)
Introduction
Joshua Tree National Park is located in the desert of southeastern California. It is named for the Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia). The park is unique because it straddles parts of two different deserts: the Mojave Desert the Colorado Desert. The park is framed geologically by massive mountains on the west, the Colorado River on the east, and the Salton Sea on the south.
The Details
The higher and cooler part of the park (west park) is Mojave Desert which has numerous Joshua tree forests. It may snow in the winter at the upper elevations. This area of the park is home to many unique rock formations.
The eastern part of the park (less than 3,000 ft elevation) is Colorado Desert, which features habitats of creosote bush scrub, ocotillo, desert saltbush and mixed scrub including yuccas and cholla cacti of several types (e.g., Cylindropuntia bigelovii).
Favorite activities in the park include hiking, climbing, driving, birding, camping, photography, and gentle walking. The park also features clear skies not much obscured by city lights; thus, astronomy is possible.
Throughout the range of the park you may find coyotes and foxes, birds of all types, numerous reptiles, jackrabbits, kangaroo rats, and even bighorn sheep. The California tree frog is a citizen of the park as well as golden eagles and California tarantulas.
Additional Reading: Joshua Tree Guide
