Month: September 2021

Joshua Tree will always have a special place in my heart. It is the park that made me truly fall in love with the National Park system. Even though I only visited for one day, I was immediately captured by the whimsical trees that seemed like something out of a Dr. Seuss book and even bore a certain resemblance to the Whomping Willow from Harry Potter.

Little lizards and tiny, strange long-tailed rodents skittered through the sand and between various types of cacti. Massive rock structures scattered throughout the landscape commanded attention. In the evening, these rocks were silhouetted against the fading sky, creating a perfectly peaceful scene. Once the sun set, thousands of stars appeared all throughout the sky, more than I had ever seen before.

Joshua Tree may not have the powerful mountains, dramatic valleys, and lush vegetation that most picture when they think of National Parks, but it is beautiful in its own way, and you won’t see anything like it anywhere else in the world.

If given more time in Joshua Tree, the first thing I’d want to do is experience more of the unique plant life in the park, and perfect place to do that is the Cholla Cactus Garden Nature Trail. More of a stroll than hike, this .3 mile loop is easily accessible and completely flat. It is perfect for visitors who are unable to or don’t feel comfortable venturing far into the wilderness. The trail is surrounded cholla cacti, similar to the one featured on the right. The cactus picture is quite small, but fully matured ones reach a staggering fifteen feet. As great as this trail is, if you’re anything like me, you’ll want a multi-mile adventure leading you far out into the wilderness, and the Lost Horse Mine Loop will definitely scratch that itch! This trail is 6.8 miles long and showcases the plants, rock structures, and wildlife that the park has to offer. If this is a little overzealous for you, no need to worry, Joshua Tree has dozens of varying trails, so finding the perfect one for you will be no problem! No matter what type of hiker you are, it is important to remember that Joshua Tree is a hot desert with no shade, so be sure to wear sunscreen and lightweight clothing and to bring lots of water and some healthy snacks.

Located in Southern California, Joshua Tree has been heavily impacted by climate change. Since the park is located in the desert, the little rain that it gets is crucial to the health of the ecosystem. Recent drought in the area has caused severe decrease in the number of Joshua trees, desert tortoises, and desert bighorn sheep. The dryness also makes the land susceptible to wildfires. If we want to protect this unique park we must be very responsible while visiting. This means only lighting fires in designated areas, correctly disposing of cigarette butts and other fire hazards, staying on the trail, and leaving no trace of your presence.

Joshua Tree National Park is a treasure that must be preserved for future generations to enjoy as well. Admire it, explore its wilderness, and treat this irreplaceable ecosystem with the respect it deserves.

For my first national park exploration, I decided on Acadia since it was the very first national park I ever visited. Though I was only ten years old at the time, I still vividly remember the cool air from the sea breeze, the dramatic rock formations and mountains, and the lush trees adding bright pops of color to the landscape. Acadia is one of just a handful of parks on the east coast, making it a common destination for those of us who would need a plane ticket to visit most other national parks.

Acadia has many beautiful landmarks, trails, and lookouts to offer, but the most spectacular of them all just might be Cadillac Mountain: the first place in America the sun shines on each morning. During the summer, the park’s most most common visitation months, you would have to arrive at the top of the mountain by 4:30am in order to experience the full effect of this special event. However, it is well worth the effort. The view from the top of Cadillac mountain is calm waters with small, tree-packed islands scattered throughout and rolling hills way out near the horizon: a view that is only heightened by the presence of soft pastel colors across the sky as the sun begins to rise. Besides the epic sunrise, Cadillac mountain also has many hiking trails to offer. The Cadillac North Ridge Trail is one of Acadia’s best hikes. At four miles long, this out and back trail will take you to the highest point in Acadia. Avid hikers sometimes arrive at the trail even earlier that 4:30 in order to scale the mountain before enjoying the sunset. However, if hiking isn’t something that interests you, the top of Cadillac Mountain can also be accessed by car. Another one of Cadillac Mountain’s trails, the Beehive Loop, despite only being 1.3 miles in distance, can be tricky little trail. Throughout the loop there are a handful of obstacles to climb over, and a few steep drop-offs, though they are guarded by a railing.

Another must-see in Acadia is Otter Cliffs, a beautiful spot overlooking the sea. The waves of the Atlantic Ocean crash against these rocks, producing massive seas spray that send a shower of droplets onto anyone standing close. These cliffs can be admired from a distance from a handful of lookout points, or you can experience the full effect of the sea spray by travelling directly to the cliffs. A set of stone stairs makes them very easy to access, but trained rock climbers can often be seen scaling the side.

While it is easy to get caught up in the excitement of what Acadia has to offer, it is important that we are visitors to nature and must be responsible while exploring. In the past few years, national parks have experienced a huge influx of visitors, and Acadia is no exception. While tourism generates great revenue for the parks, it can also put massive strain on the ecosystem. While visiting, some of the most important things to remember are to stay on the trail, not cross any barriers, and leave no trace of your presence. Failing to follow these simple courtesies could impact the wildlife’s travelling, feeding, and mating patterns.

Though this is just a short list of things to do in Acadia, hopefully it provided some insight into what a trip to this park might look like. Even if Acadia isn’t a feasible trip for you, make an effort to enjoy the nature where you live. Go outside, and be responsible while exploring!