Joshua Tree Backpacking

Welcome to Las Vegas! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 4 pm this afternoon to meet your leader and group of fellow backpackers. If you arrive early, there’s plenty to do – maybe wander along the famous strip, be entertained by impersonators and street performers, or catch a live show. After your meeting, join the group for dinner at one of your tour leader’s favorite spots and get to know your new travel buddies.

It's time to head to Joshua Tree National Park! Your day begins with a drive deep into North America’s driest desert: the Mojave. Drive past a series of arid basins and abrupt ranges bisecting Mojave National Preserve and get your first look at Joshua tree groves as you make your way to the trailhead. Fuel up with lunch, ready your pack and start hiking. You’ll ascend through fields of creosote, Mojave yucca and other high desert shrubs, then disappear into a canyon of towering boulders, winding your way through the Wonderland of Rocks. When it’s time to rest for the night, set up camp amidst the boulders and Joshua trees of this backcountry. Take in the wide-open desert sky, listen for howls of coyotes, fill your bellies and settle in for a good night of rest.

Today’s hike will take you further into the heart of the park. After hot drinks and breakfast, break down camp and set off along a series of crests and furrows yielding views into the surrounding countryside. Descending from the maze of monzogranite formations, you’ll pause to refill your water supply, then disappear again into the remote wilds of the park. Hike along rolling foothills and slanted bajadas, then descend gradually into a sea of Joshua trees. Stop to investigate a handful of historical remnants dating back to the 1800s, then head down a wash and into grassy quail territory to rest your legs for the evening. By the time the stars come out, you’ll be part of a small circle of hikers trading stories and settling into a campsite that feels like home for the night.

There may be less miles to cover today, but the terrain will put the challenge level on par with yesterday. Fuel up on breakfast, then head up the backcountry canyon with sandy washes, marbled slickrock chutes, riparian thickets and a whole lot of boulders. Emerging from the canyon, you’ll make your way to the next water cache and catch your breath. Then, follow a series of trails and gradual washes – a welcome transition into a lush high elevation flat, where you’ll be surrounded by craggy knolls spotted with some of the largest Joshua trees in the park. This grassy expanse will be your camp for the night as you eat well, rest up and get ready for your last day of hiking.

It’s your final day of backpacking through Joshua Tree National Park and today’s route brings a substantial amount of descent, but not before the heart-pounding summit of Eureka Peak. Right at the brink of the San Andreas Fault, you’ll follow a series of twists and turns before climbing to the top for panoramic views of Coachella Valley and the surrounding San Bernardino Mountains. You may not be done quite yet, but this is a good moment to take pride in what you’ve accomplished the last few days. Descend steeply into the labyrinth of ravines that make up the Little San Bernardino Mountains and snake your way between canyon walls, over open slopes and through pinyon-juniper woodlands. High five your fellow hikers for a job well done, then head to a nearby restaurant for a celebratory lunch. You'll drive back to Las Vegas after lunch, where your adventure will come to an end around 5 pm. If you’d like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.