Friday, February 14, 2014

Pushawalla Plateau, Joshua Tree National Park: One of our top 5 hikes in the US

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It is one of our top five hikes of all time, and one we were really looking forward to doing again this year.  The hike goes through low deserts, through canyons, by several old settlements, and up an old, extremely steep mining road to a plateau high above the desert and Palm Springs.  The hike would be categorized as moderate to moderate/difficult.  In our three times in this area we have only seen one hiking couple, and they were only hiking in the wash area, not in the area we find to be so stunning.  So we almost have it all to ourselves. 

This year we also located an old mill on a side canyon.  I will make a separate blog entry on it.

To get to the trailhead one has to take the Geology Tour road, which is not a maintained road.  It is one way, narrow, and bumpy, especially in a Ford Dually which has two sets of overload springs on it.   Everything in the backseat was bouncing around like crazy.  As were our teeth.  Roads like this, though, are one reason we invested in this pickup. 

The hike begins by walking up a wide wash, by old settlements.   Much of this is described in our previous blog entry about this hike.  








About two miles into the wash, the trail leaves the wash to go onto an old mining road.  It is practically impossible to see the road as it appears more like another, smaller wash.  About 1/3 mile later, one can see the road more clearly (if you are looking carefully) going off to the left.  That is where the steep climb is.

And it is very steep in places.  Both times we have taken this old road we have been amazed at the men who could drive mule wagons on it.  The strength of the mules pulling those wagons up those steep inclines is something we can’t comprehend.  But it is the ability of the drivers to manage their teams when going down these very steep roads, with drop offs of hundreds of feet at times, with full loads of rock, that is simply incomprehensible.  They must have been very skilled, very strong, and very daring. 

One of the reasons we love Joshua Tree National Park so much is that one can combine great beauty with very interesting history. 

The sights from the top are jaw dropping.  We had lunch there.  As I have said repeatedly, I really know how to take a girl out for lunch.  

 

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