backpacking through joshua tree

When I left DC for my week-long getaway trip, I wore a jacket on the way to the airport. When I came back, I started sweating as soon as I left the airport. But the past few 90 degree days here were still cooler than in the Mojave Desert. I spent the good part of last week backpacking across Joshua Tree National Park.

This was my first time backpacking, but following tradition, I went head first into it. Twenty-five miles across sandy terrain with a fully loaded backpack. A couple of challenges I did not fully anticipate: (1) one has to carry their own drinking water into the desert, (2) hiking uphill in loose sand is murder on the feet, not to mention shows how out of shape one is, and (3) afternoon sun and heat in the desert really strains the body.

I think weight and space was the biggest enemy really. The guides suggested about two gallons of water per day, per person. Estimating for 2.5 days on the trail, that's five gallons of water. A blue office water cooler jug is five gallons -- it's not small, and it weighs 41.65 lb. And this is on top of all the regular gear: tent, sleeping bag, clothes, food, etc. Now I understand why people pay top dollar for the expensive gear -- it weighs much less than the entry-level gear. The weight and bulk just compounded the difficulty of the terrain and the heat.

The experience, although painful, was rewarding though. Too tired to talk, I put every ounce of energy and focus into moving one foot in front of another and managing the pressured pain of the blisters on my feet and trying to breathe enough to not get dizzy. It gave me a lot of time to think and reflect on things as well as clear my head a bit. And I did think about a lot (maybe more to come on those things in later writings).

I still got up at 4:30-5:00am (without an alarm clock) for first light and shot pictures. It was easier to feel inspired before wearing myself out with the desert hiking. Not to mention, the colors and shadows at twilight, sunrise, and sunset are more interesting than the harsh light at high noon. So, here's a sample of my favorites (click for larger version). All of the pictures I took in Joshua Tree were with a fixed 30mm lens (that is, no zooming), so what you see is what my eyes saw, no magnification.


Blackrock Canyon in Post-Sunset Twilight


Gnarly Joshua Tree in Covington Flats


My Tent in the Backcountry


Flowers in the Sunrise


Enjoying the Sunset at Belle Campground


Upside-Down Stair at Jumbo Rocks


Yucca


Leaves of a Young Desert Palm


Leaving Long Beach on the Red-Eye

I shot several hundred frames, but the 80 or so best are in my Joshua Tree flickr set.