From Granite Crags to Date Shakes: A Desert Transition
Our latest leg of the journey took us from the high-desert chill of Joshua Tree’s granite playground to the sun-soaked palm groves of the Coachella Valley.
Hidden Valley and the Boy Scout Trail
We woke up in Hidden Valley, a legendary climber’s hub in Joshua Tree. The campground was packed with vans and campers, many even a bit more “distressed” than our own half-finished build, and filled with climbers posting up for the winter season.
While we had our climbing gear with us, we opted for an overnight backpacking trip instead. Our goal was to test out the new gear we’ve gathered for our thru-hike of the Arizona Trail this spring (thanks Mom and Dad!). The hike was short but scenic, offering an up-close look at the park’s signature rock outcroppings and quirky Joshua trees.
Reaching camp early gave us plenty of time to experiment with our new tarp shelter configurations and soak up the afternoon sun. However, as soon as the sun dipped behind the rocks around 5:30 PM, the desert chill took over. We spent the night hunkered in our sleeping bags, reading to stay warm as the remnants of a winter storm sent temperatures plummeting.
Seeking Warmth in the Sonoran Desert
The next morning, we were more than ready for the sun to crest the hills. After a quick hike back to the van and some brats for lunch, we decided to trade the high desert for the mineral hot springs to the south. We descended into the Coachella Valley, where the elevation drop provided instant relief from the cold, and spent the afternoon soaking in a hot spring that felt like a 1970s time capsule.
This region of California is an agricultural powerhouse, full of date palms among other things. We stopped at a unique little shop – part bodega, part garden oasis – to share a date milkshake on a shaded patio guarded by a friendly house cat.
South Towards the Salt Sea
Hoping to find a fun place to savor the warmth for a couple days, we set our sights on the Salton Sea and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park at the south end of the valley. Driving past massive citrus groves with the shimmering inland sea in the distance, we eventually found a perfect dispersed camping spot just inside the state park boundaries.
The change in climate was exactly what we needed. We spent the evening drying out our swimsuits, building a proper campfire, and enjoying the luxury of being outside without four layers of wool. It’s amazing what a few thousand feet of elevation loss can do!
