Joshua Tree National Park

View from Key's Peak -
The depression near the top
is part of the San Andreas Fault


A Joshua Tree


Interesting rock formations


Skull Rock


Yesterday we spent the day at Joshua Tree National Park in the Mojove Desert (it is considered the "High Desert"). It was a beautiful day and the park had many varied and interesting rock formations. The park is a training ground for rock climbers to "learn the ropes" and several climbers where there yesterday. We went to the top of Key's Peak (5,185 feet) to enjoy the view. We could see San Gorgonio Mountain, at 11,485 feet it is the highest mountain in Southern California. We could also see Mt. San Jacinto, which is the 2nd highest at 10,831 feet. They were both snow-covered. Although they were twice as high as where we were standing, they seemed to be about the same height. The temperature Key's Peak was only 43 degrees and it was extremely windy up there. It was about 80 degrees in Desert Hot Springs, where we are staying this week. When we left the park we went to Twenty-Nine Palms, CA where they have "An Oasis of Murals". They have about 20 murals painted on the sides of the buildings around town. It was very interesting.