Barker Dam Loop

Date: April 3, 2012
Time: 45 min
Length: 1.31 Miles
Location: Joshua Tree National Park
Elevation: 4,317ft
Weather: 76-89°
Difficulty: Easy

Description: The hike is a very nice short loop that can be completed late in the day, or even after an earlier hike.  I started this hike with 25oz of water and 1 energy bar.  I ended the hike with 15oz of water and 1 energy bar.  The trailhead begins from the Barker Dam Parking lot heading northwest.  There are two trailheads in the parking lot, the other is the Wall Street Mill.  Stay to the left of the restrooms heading northwest down Barker Dam Trail.  This is a loop so just after the wood and cable walkway about .15 miles you can take a left, I however continued straight going northwest on my loop.The trail is very well marked, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding your way.Arriving at the Dam you can clearly see the water level has dropped a great deal.There is still a large amount of water at the dam for the beginning of April.As you continue west on the trail, you will see the old watering hole just after the dam.  There is a path so you can walk down to it.After .9 miles you will see the Petroglyphs sign. It is not a long detour, you can almost see them from the trail, I would recommend heading over.Most of them are very easy to see. I did notice a few a little further back in the cubby.What most people don’t know, is if you continue back on the trail for about .1 miles there is a few more hidden behind some trees.This is the easiest one to spot from the trail.If you continue along that same rock face passed the two people, you will come to this scorpion looking Petroglyph.  Then just continue down the trail heading east for .31 miles and your back to the trail you started the loop on.  Go right heading southeast and you’ll be back at the parking lot.If you have any questions regarding this hike, or would like the GPS Track file, please contact me for more information.

Ryan Mountain Trail

Date: April 3, 2012
Time: 2.5 Hours
Length: 3 Miles
Location: Joshua Tree National Park
Elevation: 5,413ft
Weather: 71-86’
Difficulty: Moderate

Description: I had a late start heading up the mountain so it was a little hot.  I brought 60oz of water and 4 energy bars.  When I finished the hike I left with 25oz of water and 1 energy bars.The trailhead is located off of Park Boulevard in Joshua Tree National Park and has a huge turnout with parking and restrooms.  The hike has a very moderate incline that starts out gradually up a few stairs.Like most hikes up a mountain, it increases it’s incline, but not by much and is still moderate all the way up.You will see the sign for sheep pass, be sure to continue to your right up Ryan Mountain.Don’t forget to stop and enjoy the views.The trail works it’s way around the first ridge and cuts up the pass to the second ridge.Once you’re out of the pass the trail becomes easy.  It takes you to the second ridge and then the peak.Like most Joshua Tree trails it is very well marked, I had no trouble reaching the top.Amazing views along the entire hike, but there is something to be said about a 360’ view like this one.On my way back down I ran into a herd of Bighorn Sheep.There were around 10 total, and they even had a few juveniles with them.They didn’t seem to mind posing for a few shots as I continued down the trail.If you have any questions regarding this hike, or would like the GPS Track file, please contact me for more information.

Split Rock Loop

Date: April 2, 2012
Time: 1 Hour
Length: 2 Miles
Location: Joshua Tree National Park
Elevation: 4,293ft
Weather: 64-75’
Difficulty: Easy

Description: I started this hike late in the day around 4:30pm after getting a campsite.  I only brought 20 ounces of water and 2 energy bars.  I didn’t use much of my supplies being that it was a short hike.  Directions to this location are very easy to find, it is located inside Joshua Tree National Park closer to the north entrance.At the trailhead you will see a very large split rock from the parking lot with a posted trail sign.The trail is posted very well and easy to follow with several signs throughout.When you’re in the parking lot there are two trailheads for the loop. You can begin the hike heading north, passing the split rock, or the southwest trailhead near the restrooms.  I started out my hike heading north at the split rock.As you can see the trail is very well maintained and easy to enjoy.You head north on the trail for about .35 miles before it begins to head southwest.While heading southwest be sure to stay on the trail by following the rocks, not the footprints.Shortly after seeing the Face Rock Trail sign you will be heading east towards the parking lot.I noticed a great deal of the trail posts were missing their arrows, but again the trail is well marked and had plenty of foot traffic.If you enjoy rock climbing, I noticed two signs for trails leading to desirable rocks to climb.If you just want to use the Split Rock Loop to access these rocks, I would recommend taking the southwest trail head. They are towards the end of the loop.The loop will end right back at the parking lot where you started.If you have any questions regarding this hike, or would like the GPS Track file, please contact me for more information.