Joshua Tree NP - worth a visit?
Jun 6, 2019, 9:10 am
#16
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,785
I need some advice about JTNP in the heat of August. My cousin has almost talked me out of it.
My nephew in Iowa will be out for a visit in California before he starts college third week of August. One place on his list is San Diego. We'll do that for 2-3 days, then Amtrak train/bus to Palm Springs, pick up a rental car and drive to Holiday Inn Express Twentynine Palms for 3 nights. I envision going out in the early mornings, spending the high heat of the afternoon back at the hotel room/pool, going out again for sunsets and late-night star and moon gazing, then two nights in Palm Springs before flying back to SFO.
My home airport is Monterey where the temps are a sunny 70-ish with afternoon/evening fog, similar to San Francisco. The 100+ degree high dry desert heat might be too unbearable, but if this is our chance to go, I want to go. Am I crazy for considering his? Should I look for alternative destination(s) to add onto San Diego? Also, Amtrak has a 2-for-1 roomette/bedroom sale on this week, so somewhere on the Coast Starlight route or the California Zephyr are options.
My nephew in Iowa will be out for a visit in California before he starts college third week of August. One place on his list is San Diego. We'll do that for 2-3 days, then Amtrak train/bus to Palm Springs, pick up a rental car and drive to Holiday Inn Express Twentynine Palms for 3 nights. I envision going out in the early mornings, spending the high heat of the afternoon back at the hotel room/pool, going out again for sunsets and late-night star and moon gazing, then two nights in Palm Springs before flying back to SFO.
My home airport is Monterey where the temps are a sunny 70-ish with afternoon/evening fog, similar to San Francisco. The 100+ degree high dry desert heat might be too unbearable, but if this is our chance to go, I want to go. Am I crazy for considering his? Should I look for alternative destination(s) to add onto San Diego? Also, Amtrak has a 2-for-1 roomette/bedroom sale on this week, so somewhere on the Coast Starlight route or the California Zephyr are options.
Jun 6, 2019, 10:40 am
#17
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: MRY/SFO/SJC
Programs: AS MVP, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 7,784
Thanks very much for your replies.
I want my Midwestern nephew to ride Amtrak. Living in Iowa, train travel is not an experience he could have out there. It's not even on his radar; he doesn't even know it should be on his to-do list. Most of the journey between San Diego and Fullerton is along the scenic coast, and I will book Business Class for a little extra comfort.
This is my very general idea of our itinerary. I've got these points pinned and then some on my Google Maps. Of course, we'll see how we go with the heat and adjust where necessary, plus check out the nearby towns.
Day 1 - arrive Palm Springs 1pm, pick up rental car, drive to Oasis Visitor Center which closes at 5pm, dinner, then Smith's Ranch Drive-in movies (a drive-in movie theater!)
Day 2 - Explore Split, Skull, and Jumbo Rocks early morning, bug out for Glass Outhouse Art Gallery and lunch/hotel, return to sunset at Arch Rock and Cholla Cactus Garden, star and moon gazing
Day 3 - Explore Ryan Ranch, Cap Rock, Barker Dam, Hidden Valley and Keys View early morning (or pre-sunset), bug out for Old Schoolhouse Museum and lunch/hotel, return for sunset and night sky
Day 4 - arrive Palm Springs by afternoon, Palm Springs Tramway before and during sunset
Day 5 - art and architecture museums, downtown, hotel and pool
Day 6 - flight to SFO
My drinking water plan is to bring from home two thermal tote bags to keep four gallon jugs cool in the car while in the park.
Two additional questions:
1) From where should we view sunset on Day 3?
2) Leaving for Palm Springs, should we take the southern exit or go back via Hwy 62? From what I've read, the south route is long and slow.
I want my Midwestern nephew to ride Amtrak. Living in Iowa, train travel is not an experience he could have out there. It's not even on his radar; he doesn't even know it should be on his to-do list. Most of the journey between San Diego and Fullerton is along the scenic coast, and I will book Business Class for a little extra comfort.
This is my very general idea of our itinerary. I've got these points pinned and then some on my Google Maps. Of course, we'll see how we go with the heat and adjust where necessary, plus check out the nearby towns.
Day 1 - arrive Palm Springs 1pm, pick up rental car, drive to Oasis Visitor Center which closes at 5pm, dinner, then Smith's Ranch Drive-in movies (a drive-in movie theater!)
Day 2 - Explore Split, Skull, and Jumbo Rocks early morning, bug out for Glass Outhouse Art Gallery and lunch/hotel, return to sunset at Arch Rock and Cholla Cactus Garden, star and moon gazing
Day 3 - Explore Ryan Ranch, Cap Rock, Barker Dam, Hidden Valley and Keys View early morning (or pre-sunset), bug out for Old Schoolhouse Museum and lunch/hotel, return for sunset and night sky
Day 4 - arrive Palm Springs by afternoon, Palm Springs Tramway before and during sunset
Day 5 - art and architecture museums, downtown, hotel and pool
Day 6 - flight to SFO
My drinking water plan is to bring from home two thermal tote bags to keep four gallon jugs cool in the car while in the park.
Two additional questions:
1) From where should we view sunset on Day 3?
2) Leaving for Palm Springs, should we take the southern exit or go back via Hwy 62? From what I've read, the south route is long and slow.
Jun 6, 2019, 6:29 pm
#18
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,856
In my experience, from 29 Palms it is significantly faster to take SR62 (which is a 4 lane road) to the interstate than to drive through the park.
On one of your days, you might want to take the geology self-guiding loop tour. Assuming that you won't have an off-road vehicle, your best sunset option will be from Keys View.
On one of your days, you might want to take the geology self-guiding loop tour. Assuming that you won't have an off-road vehicle, your best sunset option will be from Keys View.
Jun 7, 2019, 2:59 pm
#19
Join Date: May 2012
Location: DCA, lived MCI, SEA/PDX,BUF (born/raised)
Programs: Marriott (Silver/Gold), IHG, Carlson, Best Western, Choice( Gold), AS (MVP), WN, UA
Posts: 8,735
Why do this in summer?
id instead just do a coast drive or go to Yosemite or SEKI.
save Zjodhua tree and Death Valley for spring break.
id instead just do a coast drive or go to Yosemite or SEKI.
save Zjodhua tree and Death Valley for spring break.
Jun 8, 2019, 7:54 pm
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 12,597
JT, at 3000' elevation, will also be slightly cooler than Palm Springs at 500' elevation, but it's really the dryness you have to watch out for. You often don't feel all that hot in high temp/low humidity because your sweat evaporates very quickly, but you can get dehydrated pretty easily if you aren't paying attention. If you're out hiking it's not a bad idea to have a hydration backpack with 2-3 L of water. A GPS that records waypoints is also good - you can use a dedicated GPS or any of many GPS apps on a smartphone- people do get lost quickly id they go off trail, so you need a way to find the trail again.
The tramway will give you a very sharp environmental contrast from the pine forest at 8500' to the desert in Palm Springs.
The tramway will give you a very sharp environmental contrast from the pine forest at 8500' to the desert in Palm Springs.
Jun 10, 2019, 2:07 am
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SF CA USA. I love large faceless corporations. And they cherish me in return (sometimes). ;)
Programs: UA Premier Gold/disappointed 1MM, HH Gold, IHG Plat, MB Gold, BW Diam Sel
Posts: 17,575
Anyhow, not to be presumptuous, I gather that this is a unique opportunity to see the SoCal desert that may or may not recur.
Not that I myself would go to the SoCal desert in August, but if I did, I would bring not only water but also salty snacks (well, most packaged snacks are salty) to help replenish electrolytes. Or maybe electrolyte-replacement tablets/capsules.
And yeah, the tramway ride in Palm Springs is a must-do.
Jun 10, 2019, 2:58 pm
#22
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: MRY/SFO/SJC
Programs: AS MVP, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 7,784
Yosemite in August with only two months' advance planning? Far less than ideal for finding lodging, to put it mildly.
Anyhow, not to be presumptuous, I gather that this is a unique opportunity to see the SoCal desert that may or may not recur.
Not that I myself would go to the SoCal desert in August, but if I did, I would bring not only water but also salty snacks (well, most packaged snacks are salty) to help replenish electrolytes. Or maybe electrolyte-replacement tablets/capsules.
And yeah, the tramway ride in Palm Springs is a must-do.
Anyhow, not to be presumptuous, I gather that this is a unique opportunity to see the SoCal desert that may or may not recur.
Not that I myself would go to the SoCal desert in August, but if I did, I would bring not only water but also salty snacks (well, most packaged snacks are salty) to help replenish electrolytes. Or maybe electrolyte-replacement tablets/capsules.
And yeah, the tramway ride in Palm Springs is a must-do.
JT, at 3000' elevation, will also be slightly cooler than Palm Springs at 500' elevation, but it's really the dryness you have to watch out for. You often don't feel all that hot in high temp/low humidity because your sweat evaporates very quickly, but you can get dehydrated pretty easily if you aren't paying attention. If you're out hiking it's not a bad idea to have a hydration backpack with 2-3 L of water. A GPS that records waypoints is also good - you can use a dedicated GPS or any of many GPS apps on a smartphone- people do get lost quickly id they go off trail, so you need a way to find the trail again.
The tramway will give you a very sharp environmental contrast from the pine forest at 8500' to the desert in Palm Springs.
The tramway will give you a very sharp environmental contrast from the pine forest at 8500' to the desert in Palm Springs.
We won't be doing any serious hiking. More like taking in the sights/sites with the short < 1-mile walks from the road or parking lots.
Ironically, we are having a records-breaking heat wave right now, September weather in June. It was 99F at my house yesterday and 101F today.
Last edited by TWA884; Jun 10, 2019 at 3:45 pm Reason: Merge consecutive posts by the same member; please use the multi-quote function. Thank you.
Jun 10, 2019, 3:12 pm
#23
Join Date: May 2012
Location: DCA, lived MCI, SEA/PDX,BUF (born/raised)
Programs: Marriott (Silver/Gold), IHG, Carlson, Best Western, Choice( Gold), AS (MVP), WN, UA
Posts: 8,735
In August at Yosemite...you look st high elevation areas of tioga pass and get lodging in lee vining or mammoth lakes.
you can stay in one of the gateway towns to visit Yosemite.
dont forget..its monsoon season in the desert thrn. The remains of an east pacific hurtucsne can cause desert flooding.
you can stay in one of the gateway towns to visit Yosemite.
dont forget..its monsoon season in the desert thrn. The remains of an east pacific hurtucsne can cause desert flooding.
Jun 10, 2019, 7:08 pm
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 12,597
Desert in the summer is awesome if you're prepared for it. Just plain old salt isn't bad as a salt replacement. A little in a glass of ice water tastes pretty good when it's hot and dry, and salted lemon or limeade is excellent (some of the vietnamese restaurants around LA serve salted limeade), and salted watermelon is nice with a really cold watermelon. A few bananas help with potassium replacement. And doing it with fruit or fruity juices is much more appealing in the heat than dry salty snacks - if you get a little dehydrated, the salty snacks aren't appealing and so you'll eat less of them.
Jun 10, 2019, 7:28 pm
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SF CA USA. I love large faceless corporations. And they cherish me in return (sometimes). ;)
Programs: UA Premier Gold/disappointed 1MM, HH Gold, IHG Plat, MB Gold, BW Diam Sel
Posts: 17,575
Desert in the summer is awesome if you're prepared for it. Just plain old salt isn't bad as a salt replacement. A little in a glass of ice water tastes pretty good when it's hot and dry, and salted lemon or limeade is excellent (some of the vietnamese restaurants around LA serve salted limeade), and salted watermelon is nice with a really cold watermelon. A few bananas help with potassium replacement. And doing it with fruit or fruity juices is much more appealing in the heat than dry salty snacks - if you get a little dehydrated, the salty snacks aren't appealing and so you'll eat less of them.
Jun 10, 2019, 10:11 pm
#27
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: MRY/SFO/SJC
Programs: AS MVP, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 7,784
In August at Yosemite...you look st high elevation areas of tioga pass and get lodging in lee vining or mammoth lakes.
you can stay in one of the gateway towns to visit Yosemite.
dont forget..its monsoon season in the desert thrn. The remains of an east pacific hurtucsne can cause desert flooding.
you can stay in one of the gateway towns to visit Yosemite.
dont forget..its monsoon season in the desert thrn. The remains of an east pacific hurtucsne can cause desert flooding.
The logistics getting from San Diego to Merced/Yosemite without a car is too long and complicated, and honestly I don't want to go there during summer months for the crowds.
Desert in the summer is awesome if you're prepared for it. Just plain old salt isn't bad as a salt replacement. A little in a glass of ice water tastes pretty good when it's hot and dry, and salted lemon or limeade is excellent (some of the vietnamese restaurants around LA serve salted limeade), and salted watermelon is nice with a really cold watermelon. A few bananas help with potassium replacement. And doing it with fruit or fruity juices is much more appealing in the heat than dry salty snacks - if you get a little dehydrated, the salty snacks aren't appealing and so you'll eat less of them.
Nothing about my plan is definite. My nephew's ticket out to California hasn't even been booked yet because his high school baseball season is in full swing til mid-July, and the championship games run til the end of July. As of now, 2 weeks into the season, they don't look like they'd make the playoffs, but his parents are optimistically and respectfully waiting.
Anywho, thanks to you all for the much appreciated advice and tips.
Jun 24, 2019, 6:40 pm
#29
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,634
Bees forcing shutdown of Keys View in Joshua Tree National Park beginning Monday
A high number of buzzing insects has arisen in the Keys View area, which is perched at 5,185 feet and has a spectacular view of the Coachella Valley, from Palm Springs to the Salton Sea. As a result, access will close June 24 through July 2 due to concerns over visitor safety.
Jun 24, 2019, 6:43 pm
#30
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,856