Seeking to hike the Hidden Valley Nature Path in Joshua Tree Nationwide Park?
Then you definitely’re in the correct place!
In case you’re on the lookout for a straightforward hike that’s additionally wildly scenic, Hidden Valley is for you.
Generally known as one of many park’s quintessential trails, it introduces guests to the enduring geology and flora that Joshua Tree is thought for.
Bonus:
Whereas many Joshua Tree climbing trails are fully uncovered and expose you to the recent solar, there’s shade alongside the Hidden Valley hike.
Belief me once I say you received’t need to miss this beautiful path when visiting Joshua Tree Nationwide Park. You’ll see why under while you learn extra in regards to the expertise — and see the photographs!
Desk of Contents
- What Kind Of Hiker Are You? [Free Quiz]
- Hidden Valley Nature Path Map
- Hidden Valley Path Fast Info
- Hidden Valley Nature Path Joshua Tree: The Expertise
- Hidden Valley Nature Path Mountaineering Video
- Ideas For Mountaineering In Joshua Tree Nationwide Park
- Different Not-To-Miss Joshua Tree Nationwide Park Hikes
- Accommodations Close to Joshua Tree Nationwide Park
- Joshua Tree Nationwide Park Excursions
- Renting A Automobile For Joshua Tree Nationwide Park
- Joshua Tree Nationwide Park Journey Insurance coverage
- Different High California Hikes
What Kind Of Hiker Are You? [Free Quiz]
However first, earlier than we dive into how you can hike among the best Joshua Tree trails, I need to share a free persona quiz I believe you’ll love:
Click on right here to take the free quiz!
Uncover your climbing persona on this enjoyable and brief hiker persona quiz, which additionally shares path options based mostly in your outcomes.
When you’ve grabbed the quiz, let’s talk about how you can hike the Hidden Valley Loop, one among my favourite California journey experiences!
Hidden Valley Nature Path Map
Earlier than climbing the Hidden Valley Path, it’s really helpful to print out a map of Joshua Tree Nationwide Park. You’ll be able to click on right here to do this.
You may also get a Hidden Valley Path map particularly right here (Google Map model).
Observe: You’ll get a paper map when getting into the park and there are maps posted in all places so that you can simply take a photograph of along with your cellphone.
I’ve highlighted the Hidden Valley Nature Path parking zone & trailhead in pink:
Hidden Valley Path Fast Info
Problem Degree: Straightforward
Trailhead: The path begins on the Hidden Valley Picnic Space Joshua Tree. The handle is Park Boulevard (Loop Street), Joshua Tree Nationwide Park, CA 92277.
Path Size: 1 mile (1.6 km); ~1 hour
Elevation Achieve: 100 toes (30.5 m)
Path Kind: Loop path
Nearest Park Entrance: West Entrance
When To Hike Hidden Valley: Joshua Tree will get extremely popular in the summertime, so when you can keep away from this season that’s finest. That being mentioned, the Hidden Valley Path gives extra shade than most of the different trails within the park.
Tenting: The adjoining Hidden Valley Campground options 44 websites, pit bogs, and no water. These websites are provided on a first-come, first-served foundation.
Rock Climbing: Sure, it’s doable to rock climb in Hidden Valley.
Is the Hidden Valley Nature Path canine pleasant? Canines will not be allowed on any of the climbing trails in Joshua Tree Nationwide Park.
Good for solo vacationers? As this path is well-populated, I believe it’s an important possibility for these climbing alone who’re frightened about solo climbing security.
Path Highlights:
- Mountaineering by means of a valley ringed with big rock formations
- Seeing desert crops like Joshua bushes, yucca, and nolina
- Unbelievable panoramic views, particularly while you first enter the Hidden Valley
By the way in which, this can be a secure and scenic hike for these touring solo in California.
The Hidden Valley Path in Joshua Tree Nationwide Park is beautiful. Picture through Jessie Festa.
Hidden Valley Nature Path Joshua Tree: The Expertise
After climbing the average Misplaced Horse Mine Path in California’s summer time warmth, my husband Andy and I determine to go for a straightforward Joshua Tree Nationwide Park path that additionally guarantees beautiful surroundings.
The Hidden Valley Path is what we land on — and after finishing it, I can say it doesn’t disappoint.
Based on the indicators alongside the trail, there’s an attention-grabbing historical past to this path. In 1936, simply months earlier than President Franklin Roosevelt established the Joshua Tree Nationwide Monument, prospector and rancher Invoice Keys blasted the opening that now leads hikers into the Hidden Valley.
The valley had been hid for a very long time, and the blast led to a brand new discipline of native grasses opening up for cattle to graze — although, after all, using the land by people led to adjustments in its flora, which you’ll be able to see in your hike.
This one-mile loop is thought for showcasing the entire pure options that Joshua Tree Nationwide Park is thought for, like Joshua Bushes, big rock formations, pinyon pines, beavertail cacti, California juniper, and yucca.
Curiously, Hidden Valley is a transition zone, because it sits between the landscapes stuffed with tall and twisting Joshua Bushes and the pinyon-juniper woodlands.
The stunning desert path begins off with a stone staircase, big boulders towering above on each side and reminding us simply how small we’re on this large world.
We stroll up, down, up, and down — although quickly stone turns to sand and we emerge by means of desert greenery into the Hidden Valley. The view consists of all the things talked about above, immersing us in Mojave desert magnificence.
Feeling small among the many big rock formations of the Hidden Valley Path. Picture through Jessie Festa. Mojave desert magnificence alongside Joshua Tree’s Hidden Valley Nature Path. Picture through Jessie Festa.
Yucca and scrub brush sit earlier than big rock formations and mountains of boulders. Desert crops develop close to these monstrous rocks, benefitting from the rainfall that runs down cracks and crevices.
Chuckwalla lizards and snakes additionally discover shade in these crevices — and people can benefit from the shade offered by their monumental measurement.
Sure, that’s proper! This is without doubt one of the few Joshua Tree Nationwide Park climbing trails that gives some respite from the extraordinary summer time solar.
The loop path continues on, the rock formations turning into increasingly plentiful — and seemingly extra humongous.
Mountaineering by means of beautiful desert landscapes on the Hidden Valley Nature Path. Picture through Jessie Festa. A panoramic view of the Hidden Valley Nature Path in Joshua Tree Nationwide Park. Picture through Jessie Festa.
We see climbers taking up the problem of scaling them, and my palms sweat enthusiastic about being that top off the bottom. Nonetheless, the view from above should be spectacular.
That being mentioned, even on the bottom our cameras are out consistently, as we discover countless alternatives for wide-angle and panoramic photographs that assist us to at the very least attempt to seize what we’re seeing in individual.
However, everyone knows that nothing compares to being really immersed in Mom Nature.
And after climbing up a closing set of stone steps, she gives us one final unbelievable view earlier than sending us again by means of a stone tunnel to the trailhead to complete our loop:
Stone steps alongside the Hidden Valley Nature Path in Joshua Tree Nationwide Park. Picture through Jessie Festa. A closing beautiful view alongside the Hidden Valley Nature Path in Joshua Tree Nationwide Park. Picture through Jessie Festa.
When it comes to effort for reward, this path is without doubt one of the finest I’ve ever executed. We weren’t out of breath for a second on this path and nonetheless noticed a number of the most spectacular surroundings of our total 10 day California street journey itinerary.
When visiting Joshua Tree Nationwide Park, you completely should add the Hidden Valley Nature Path to your itinerary!
Hidden Valley Nature Path Mountaineering Video
Need to discover the Hidden Valley Path from a first-hand perspective? Try my climbing video:
Ideas For Mountaineering In Joshua Tree Nationwide Park
-Know that you simply’re on Indigenous land. The Serrano, the Cahuilla, the Mojave, and the Chemehuevi have been the unique inhabitants of the land that Joshua Tree Nationwide Park resides on. These Indigenous peoples have been displaced and/or pressured to relocate.
Together with educating your self on the historical past and tradition of those tribes, take into account making a donation to causes and charities that straight help them. Furthermore, the place doable rent Indigenous guides and buy from Indigenous-owned companies.
-There isn’t a cell service in Joshua Tree Nationwide Park, so be certain that to have a park map available. You may also use the AllTrails app to remain on observe. The paid model works offline — although it’s also possible to use the free model offline so long as you pull up your hike within the app while you even have cell service.
From there, hit “Navigate” after which “Mountaineering” and get it on the web page the place you’ll hit “Begin” while you’re prepared to start your hike.
-Many Joshua Tree trails have little to no cowl. Because of this it might get extremely scorching. If doable, hike outdoors of summer time and/or mid-day when the solar is at its strongest.
–Know what to put on climbing. Having further water in addition to the right climbing apparel like moisture-wicking clothes, sun shades, sunscreen, and a hat that covers your head and neck will assist hold you temperate and secure.
-Don’t contact these fuzzy-looking cholla cacti! Generally known as the “leaping cactus,” it seems to be furry however is definitely very prickly. In case you get their thorns in you they are often extremely painful and tough to take away.
-When selecting your lodging, take into account your required entrance. Whereas Joshua Tree Nationwide Park isn’t almost as giant as different California nationwide parks like Yosemite (the place you may hike Sentinel Dome to Glacier Level, Vernal and Nevada Falls, and the Columbia Rock Path) and Sequoia (the place you may hike the Lakes Path), the drive from one finish of the park to the opposite will be fairly lengthy.
If you realize what hikes you’d love to do, strive to decide on lodging close to to the doorway that makes probably the most sense.
-Preserve wildlife wild. Don’t feed or contact wildlife. That is on your safety in addition to for the safety of the animal.
For example, in Joshua Tree Nationwide Park feeding coyotes can result in them turning into extra aggressive towards people. You’ll see indicators about this put up by the Nationwide Park Service throughout.
Pure magnificence alongside Joshua Tree’s Hidden Valley Nature Path. Picture through Jessie Festa.
Different Not-To-Miss Joshua Tree Nationwide Park Hikes
Joshua Tree is dwelling to a number of the finest hikes on this planet! In case you’re trying to discover a number of the different unbelievable hikes past Hidden Valley Joshua Tree, don’t miss:
Straightforward Joshua Tree Hikes
Barker Dam Nature Path
Cholla Cactus Backyard
Keys View
Cranium Rock
Reasonable Joshua Tree Hikes
Misplaced Horse Mine
Hello-View
Mastodon Peak
Pine Metropolis
Cut up Rock Loop
West Facet Loop
Difficult Joshua Tree Hikes
Boy Scout Path
California Driving and Mountaineering Path
Misplaced Palms Oasis
Fortynine Palms Oasis
Ryan Mountain Path
Warren Peak
Accommodations Close to Joshua Tree Nationwide Park
Click on right here for a full checklist of accommodations close to Joshua Tree!
Choose self-contained stays?
Click on right here to view distinctive native leases!
You may also peruse the map under:
Joshua Tree Nationwide Park Excursions
Seeking to discover Joshua Tree and its environment with a information? Listed here are just a few highly-rated experiences:
- Half-Day Small Group Joshua Tree Nationwide Park Jeep Tour
- Half-Day Guided Hike in Joshua Tree Nationwide Park
- Joshua Tree Nationwide Park Self-Driving Audio Tour
- Rappelling Journey in Joshua Tree Nationwide Park (4 Hours)
- Joshua Tree Nationwide Park Personalized Guided Mountaineering Tour
- Secrets and techniques of Joshua Tree Hidden Valley Scavenger Hunt
Click on right here for a full checklist of Joshua Tree excursions!
Renting A Automobile For Joshua Tree Nationwide Park
Joshua Tree Nationwide Park is big, and also you’ll undoubtedly need a automotive to discover the various trails and websites.
If it’s essential to lease a automotive, I extremely advocate utilizing Uncover Vehicles to shortly examine your rental choices.
Their comparability software does the homework for you, so there’s no must have up 10+ tabs making an attempt to determine which firm is probably the most inexpensive. Truly, it can save you as much as 70% utilizing their software!
Joshua Tree Nationwide Park Journey Insurance coverage
When visiting Joshua Tree — or wherever else on this planet — it’s sensible to get journey insurance coverage.
One of many finest journey medical insurance coverage for vacationers is SafetyWing as they’ve obtained a big community and supply each short-term and long-term protection — together with protection when you’re touring for months in addition to restricted protection in your house nation).
Moreover, SafetyWing is budget-friendly and gives $250,000 value of protection with only one low total deductible of $250.
Click on right here to cost out journey insurance coverage on your journey in only a few clicks.
Seeking to discover different California climbing trails? A couple of not-to-miss trails embody:
1, 2, & 3 Day Itinerary For Yosemite Nationwide Park
Misplaced Horse Mine in Joshua Tree Nationwide Park
Ryan Mountain in Joshua Tree Nationwide Park
Mount Whitney within the Sierra Nevadas
The Lakes Path in Sequoia Nationwide Park
James Irvine Path to Fern Canyon in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Columbia Rock Path in Yosemite Nationwide Park
Sentinel Dome to Glacier Level in Yosemite Nationwide Park
How To Hike Vernal And Nevada Falls In Yosemite Nationwide Park (Mist Path)
Click on right here to take the free climbing persona quiz!
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