Eureka Peak - Joshua Tree National Park - Our First Desert Hike | Hiking in the Southern California

My better half Ash and I recently went on a 5th Wedding Anniversary trip to Southern California! The first half of our fun-filled week was spent exploring San Diego, and the second half took us to our first national park: Joshua Tree National Park!
This was the first full day staying in Joshua Tree Village just outside the northwestern corner of the park, and we couldn't wait to finally get out and hike in the desert together! Growing up and living in New England all our lives (and despite a few work-related trips I had taken to the Southwest) we both had not experienced a hike like this one in the Mojave Desert portion of the park.
First legitimate desert hike was a success! I did quite a bit of research beforehand and opted to take a route less traveled to a quieter part of the park in the Black Rock Canyon region. Our destination would be Eureka Peak with the trek being about 11 miles round trip and around 2000’ of gain. This was an out and back hike on the California Riding & Hiking Trail and the Eureka Peak Trail.
We learned hiking in the sand is a bit challenging. A good bit of the route followed a wash through a canyon, lots of lizards, beautiful flowers, a snake, and the 360° view from the 5521’ Eureka Peak was like nothing we have experienced. I shot a bunch of film and a boatload more photos on my mirrorless.
Desert hiking is something…it’s amazing from where we normally hike in the Northeast to think there is basically no water within an area the size of Rhode Island…and we were smack in the middle of it. Highly recommend this wild and beautiful place…was hoping we’d catch a glimpse of a bighorn sheep or desert tortoise but it was awesome nonetheless.
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Camera: ‪@PanasonicLumixVideo‬ GH6
Lens: ‪@LeicaCameraGlobal‬ Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8 asph.
Filter: ‪@FreewellGear‬ Variable ND Filter
Filmed in: MOV 5.7K 24FPS 4.2.0 10bit LongGOP LPCM 200mbps
Music: Wastelander
Chapters:
00:00 Intro at Black Rock Backcountry Trailhead
00:24 Approach to the California Riding & Hiking Trail
00:38 California Riding & Hiking Trail to Eureka Peak Trail
03:52 Eureka Peak Trail to Eureka Peak
07:31 Last 1.6 Miles to Eureka Peak on the Eureka Peak Trail
11:33 Summit of Eureka Peak & Views
14:15 Outro on Eureka Peak

[@nutier]

Beautiful video that I love ! Thank you for sharing . Happy Friday to you !

[@nickhikesandplaysguitar]

Thanks for the kind words and glad you enjoyed! Happy Friday to you as well!