Joshua Tree Backpacking - April 2021

Before it is getting too hot, a hike the CRHT in Joshua Tree last weekend in April, which is about as close to a through-hike as feasible in JT. The CRHT runs for 38 miles from Black Rock (on the western end) to the North Entrance. I think most of the area it goes through is classified as wilderness, although it crosses two paved (and two unpaved) park roads. It makes for an easy 2 nights out (starting Friday afternoon, then all day Saturday, and finishing Sunday morning).

I had my 2nd COVID vaccine on Wednesday (April 21) and was miserable the next day, so didn't start with the group. However, I felt better later and then started from Covington Flats and caught up with them.

My camp night 1

I did not see anybody else on the trail on Friday until I caught up with them. The backcountry trails are empty, even though the park is congested along the paved roads - very typical for National Parks.

view from my camp night 2 (it was higher up on a ledge)

The nicest part is in the middle, between Covington Flats and Ryan Campground. Most of the trail -the middle 25-30 miles - is at higher elevation, very pleasant temperatures in the last week of April. Days in the 70s, nights high 40s/low 50s. The initial stretch is a sandy uphill (from Black Rock to Covington Flats), the last stretch (White Tanks to North Entrance) a sandy downhill, the least attractive parts of the hike. There is no water along the trail, not even near a detour, so it is necessary to cache water along the way. This is easily done at one of the backcountry boards when the trail crosses a park road; also the NPS recommendation. The birds know how to pick water containers, though, so there is the trade-off between easier to carry out containers (thin plastic) and bird proof. In the first case, you may find your water partly emptied (I saw holes in the top, and they knock the containers over). Water is highly valued by everybody in the desert!

 

A fair amount of hikers and runners (maybe a dozen) on the last 11 miles on Sunday, but that stretch parallels the park road, maybe why it is used more. Amazingly, near the end, two women ran by and I talked to them. They had started only 5 hours before at the other end, fully self-supported (i.e. they carried all their water). So if you are fit enough, the whole through-hike can be done in half a day! But 5 hours for 38 miles is truly impressive as these are not easy miles mostly because of the sand (which sucks up a lot of energy) and also has some climbing.

while not extremely the sandy, there are many stretches where you can feel the difference