Joshua Tree National Park in California...Bearing a Bible Reference

Joshua Tree National Park is truly a unique blend of the high Mojave Desert and the low Colorado Desert. Located in Southern California, it is about 140 miles east of Los Angeles.

It bears a biblical reference which will soon become clear when reading this hub.

My traveling buddy and I were coming from the opposite direction just having enjoyed the Saguaro National Park just outside Tucson, Arizona.

We took the southern entrance into the park which parted company with Interstate 10 by heading north on the road marked 195. This was just east of Indio and Palm Springs.

This park consists of 1,022,703 acres of land ( 414,050 hectares ) and much of it is kept in the wild.

(c) Peggy Woods - All Rights Reserved

The distinctive Joshua Trees grow in the western half of the park in the higher elevations of the Mojave Desert.

To me they look like overgrown yuccas.

Franklin D. Roosevelt set aside this unique land as a national monument in 1936. It was finally designated a national park in 1994.

It is open year round.

As you can see from these photos to the right, many flowering plants can be appreciated in the Spring of the year.

My friend and I happened to be visiting this area in late April.

Humans have inhabited this land at least 5,000 years.

Mormon settlers legend has it that these trees were named for the prophet Joshua and the tree's limbs reminded them of arms outstretched in supplication. Thus...the biblical reference.

This is as good a name as any for these other worldly looking trees.

People enjoy this park for all kinds of reasons.

Among them are some of the following:

Camping

Hiking

Bird watching

and, Rock climbing.

This part of the park is a haven for rock climbers!  Many enthusiasts that like to climb in Yosemite come here during the winter months because of snow in Yosemite.

There are trails in this area.

Also rock climbing to suit beginners to advanced...

This is quite a playground!

Centuries old Joshua Trees

In this picture to the right I am standing by a very old Joshua Tree.

They only grow about 1/2 inch a year.

There are some 40 foot trees in this park that are over 900 years old!

Many animals and birds and insects exist in these desert areas. All the usual ones you might expect. Snakes to lizards to hundreds of species of birds along with coyotes and bobcats can be found here among many others.

One interesting case of symbiosis between the yucca moth and the Joshua Tree exists.

They both rely on each other in this way...

The yucca moth lays eggs inside the flower ovary of the Joshua Tree. When the resulting larva emerge, they feed upon the seeds.

The Joshua Tree relies upon the yucca moth for it's pollination.

Thus, both life cycles are aided by this meshing of purposes.

These Joshua Trees grow very slowly...only a half of an inch per year. There are many large and very old trees that can be found in this special park.

Come and visit Joshua Tree National Park in California if you care to see the beautiful and the unusual trees bearing a Biblical reference.