Mojave Desert Peak #2 - Warren Peak
Explore Landscapes #25: And I'm back! It's been a tough few weeks but I'm working my way back into the swing of things and have started hiking again and leading workshops.
This past weekend was my first full weekend back in JT for six weeks - and I certainly made the most of it. During the day on Saturday I volunteered as the gallery docent at the 29 Palms Art Gallery. If you haven’t visited before, I encourage you to go and pay a visit. It hosts exhibitions from a wide range of wonderful local artists and photographers.
On Saturday night I led a Dark Sky Photography class in JT on behalf of the Joshua Tree National Park Association (JTNPA). For over 20 years, the JTNPA Desert Institute has been offering hands-on, one-of-a-kind programs to help visitors of Joshua Tree National Park better understand the vast, complicated, and magical place that is the California Desert. Please take a look at their Spring 2024 class catalog - they’ve got something for everyone! You can book any of their classes via Eventbrite. Note: there are still a few spaces left for the Dark Sky Photography classes on May 11th and June 1st.
On Sunday morning, after a short night’s sleep (as we were still shooting the Milky Way at 2am) and several strong cups of coffee, I set off up the Black Rock Canyon trail from the campsite. It was a beautiful day with very little wind and temps in the mid-60’s. It really was almost perfect weather for hiking. The trails are very well signposted - but it’s still essential to always carry a paper map and compass - even if you also carry a digital map on your phone.
At several locations on the trail the old weather-worn wooden posts remain intact - and you can just about make out the letters pointing the way to go - assuming you know what PL and WP mean.
I opted to walk Panorama Loop (LP) first, and then to tackle Warren Peak (WP) on my way back to the campsite.
The sandy trail is easy to follow and weaves it’s way through some rocky canyons and open areas of well-vegetated desert. For such a beautiful and easily accessible trail, it was not at all busy - which I was very grateful for. I was definitely hiking my feelings yesterday - processing the loss of my Mum - and remembering all of the good times together. The trail gave me peace, time to think, and the restoring powers of being outside in nature.
It’s a steady climb of about 1,000 feet over the first four miles of the hike from the campsite (Black Rock) up to the ridgeline. Once there you’re rewarded with the most amazing view across the Coachella Valley and the San Andreas Fault towards San Jacinto and San Gorgonio. After appreciating the view - and taking a quick break fir water and a snack - the route turns to the right and you head along the ridge line towards San Gorgonio, before turning right again and heading downhill towards the base of Warren Peak.
On the way down towards Warren Peak the sandy trail wanders through a lush, well vegetated valley of Joshua Trees, Yuccas, Pinyon Pines, and Scrub Oaks. All the while San Gorgonio displays it’s snow-capped summit between the trees, far off in the distance.
From the base of Warren Peak it’s about 500 feet to the summit - which is adorned with two US Coast and Geodetic Survey markers. The 360 degree view from the summit is stunning. I took my time at the summit, wrote in the summit log book (which is tucked away in a plastic storage box), and then just appreciated the peace of the outdoors.
So I have some catching up to do as one of my goals for 2024 is to climb a Mojave Peak each month. My second peak for April is already in the calendar and I plan to hike two peaks in May which will get me back on track.
Read this next to learn how Mojave Desert Peak #1 went:
Let me be your landscape photography guide to Joshua Tree National Park in 2024 - and beyond. Workshop calendar now updated for 2025 season.
My workshops cater to all levels of photographers and include classic viewpoints as well as some hidden gems. I'll make sure you're in the best place to take advantage of the light and weather conditions.
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