March 3rd

Nancy had another long night with Kirk’s gastrointestinal distress; many trips outside. At least there was a nice moon…

Our first day in the Pacific time zone, so we were up and on the road at 8:15 am.  Our mission was to get to Keys View, a 5185 foot high overlook of the Coachella Valley. We are also seeking a north end campground, since on closer inspection, we found that most of the Park’s trails and exhibits are a 35 mph winding 45 miles of highway to the north.

We planned to cruise directly to the overlook, telling ourselves we would stop on the way back. Jumbo Rocks campsite was worth a tour, however, and we plan on an early departure from Cottonwood Spring tomorrow to spud into Jumbo Rocks for the weekend.  

Keys View was simply Stunning, with a capital S.  The recent rains had washed the air clear, and we could see the Salton Sea 30 miles away. 

Now here’s the interpretive sign.

Salton Sea, Signal Mountain, Thermal, Indio, Palm Springs, etc. right to the San Gorgonio Mountains, check, check, all laid out beautifully right below your eyes. 

Now have a closer look at the valley.  

See that wrinkle, running right down the centre?  Look familiar?  Right, it’s the San Andreas AND the San Bernadino Faults. Yep, no mention of it on the sign.  Everything you see on the far side of that wrinkle, towns, fields, golf courses, and snow capped mountains, everything, all will move 15 to 20 feet north, the next time it really lets go. And when you’re standing there looking at the immensity of it, you can hardly believe it.  Clearly the folks living down in that lovely valley can’t believe it either.

The north end of the park is also home to the Park’s namesake, the Joshua Tree.  As you drive along into their habitat, they start out small, and soon escalate into tall, full-blown trees.  These trees, combined with the rockpiles of eroded monzogranite, give the valley an otherworldly feel, worthy of a Star Wars shoot.  

On the way back to the south end, we stopped at the Cholla Cactus Garden and the Ocotillo Patch.  The Ocotillo were blooming madly.  The north end is full of nature trails and viewpoint, which we look forward to exploring, once we relocate somewhat closer.