After our hike up Ryan Mountain we headed to the Boy Scout Trailhead off Park Blvd. You can also access this trail from Indian Cove. This is a beautiful trail that hikes through the backcountry. There are options to camp here too. The trail offers a variety of terrain and great views of the Wonderland of Rocks. It follows sandy washes lined with Pinyon pine, juniper and oak. You’ll also travel along a rocky mountainside and through narrow canyons if you take it all the way to Indian Cove. We have done this trail from both directions, but today we our turnaround point was the junction for the Big Pine Trail at 4 miles in. If you hike this trail in its entirety, it is 8 miles one way. The winds were still strong but refreshing. We took our time and soaked in every moment. The desert is a magical place unlike any other I’ve ever experienced. I cannot put it into words. I will continue to return to it for years to come.
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Hiking the Panorama Loop from Black Rock Campground. This hike starts in the far northwest section of Joshua Tree National Park. You can park at the Black Rock Canyon Campground where there’s a visitors center and bathrooms. From there, look for campsite #30 and you’ll find the trailhead. You’ll see a water tank and a dirt road which you will follow southeast for a short distance until you are on a dirt trail. You’ll reach a sign for the Panorama Loop and Warren Peak via Black Rock Canyon Trail. Much of the trail is hiking through a sandy wash with a moderate incline. You’ll be winding through canyon walls here and as you continue, you’ll notice the lush greenery beginning to present itself. This area is abundant with pinyon pine, juniper and oak. You’ll also discover a spring. But keep your eyes peeled because it’s easy to miss. When we were here in February it was just a trickle. However, there is plenty of wildlife to be seen in this area such as insects, birds, rabbits, and ground squirrels. It’s a very unique section of the park. At about 1.7 miles in you’ll find the signage for the start of the loop to Panorama Peak. If you hike it clockwise, you’ll have a steeper climb up, but it will save your knees on the way down the other side. As you do the work to ascend, you’ll be rewarded with views of snow capped Mt. San Gorgonio. Continue upward on the steep switchbacks for incredible panoramic views of Mt. San Jacinto, Yucca Valley, Mt. San Gorgonio and the Coachella Valley. You can even catch a glimpse of the Salton Sea. When you’re ready to return, follow the ridge and descend down into a wash where you’ll continue to enjoy the lush terrain along with majestic Joshua Trees. Eventually, you’ll be back at the start of the loop and return the way you came. It was a beautiful hike. Much different then the typical terrain I’m used to seeing in the desert.
