In late April, Julie and I explored the desert landscapes of the Great Basin, Sonoran, and Mojave deserts in the Joshua Tree and Death Valley National Parks. Expecting late spring desert climates, we were greeted to 50mph winds, a chilly 45F sunset, and rain in Joshua Tree, followed by overcast skies and a light rain in Death Valley as well. I can't say I'm disappointed we didn't experience standard desert weather though.
Joshua Tree is a great place to get a glimpse of the desert lifestyle and a fun weekend place to traverse through. If the climbing/bouldering scene is your thing (not mine, at the moment at least), then it's definitely a place not to miss (though you probably already knew that). Just watch out the cholla cacti and the apparent Africanized Bee population.
Death Valley on the other hand is simply too vast to be seen in one trip. We've barely begun to scratch the surface when it comes to exploring the park. Being the largest National Park in the lower 48, the area presents you with a geological menagerie of salt flats, sand dunes, badlands, and snow capped mountain ranges open for your exploration. I'm looking forward to the next Death Valley adventure, but until then, enjoy the photos from this most recent stint.
