CDT Prep: Freezing on the Joshua Tree Riding and Hiking Trail

It was a snowy start when we arrived late at night on Friday at Black Rock Campground. I say freezing but we were fine! My only regret was bringing Indian food, a mistake I will never make again. This hike wasmade to try out new gear before setting foot on the CDT in a little over a month.

Joshua Tree was beautiful with the fresh snow. I had placed water caches earlier that day and waited for my friends to get off work and make the 2 and a half hour drive from San Diego. We hiked about a mile into the trail and set up in the dark so we could get early start on Saturday. I learned a lot about the kind of tent spikes required in the soft desert sand. I also very happy I spent the money on the thermarest neo air, it was perfect.

We also had a first timer go with us! He had never been to a national park and never been camping over night and only ever day a couple of miles day hiking San Diego and he loved it, cold and all. I told him to get a quilt for the trip and he was apprehensive but after trying it in the snowy desert he loved it.

The only wild life we got to see where sim frolicking deer crossing the valley floor first thing in the morning.

The trail goes for 38 miles and we did it from Saturday to Monday. On the first day we did 11 miles the first day, then 18 the second day, and had a quick finish in the morning with 8 miles. We knew a high wind advisory was set for 10am on the last day and just after we finished the wind picked up bad.

Awesome trip.