Joshua Tree and San Jacinto- Dec 2024

Joshua Tree NP- Where Two Deserts Meet
Two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in Joshua Tree National Park. A fascinating variety of plants and animals make their homes in a land sculpted by strong winds and occasional torrents of rain. Dark night skies, a rich cultural history, and surreal geologic features add to the wonder of this vast wilderness in southern California.
Mt San Jacinto
San Jacinto Peak (often designated Mount San Jacinto, pronounced /həˈsɪntoʊ/ or /dʒəˈsɪntoʊ/) is a 10,834 ft (3,302 m) peak in the San Jacinto Mountains, in Riverside County, California. Lying within Mount San Jacinto State Park it is the highest both in the range and the county, and serves as the southern border of the San Gorgonio Pass. Naturalist John Muir wrote of San Jacinto Peak, "The view from San Jacinto is the most sublime spectacle to be found anywhere on this earth!"[4]
San Jacinto Peak is one of the most topographically prominent peaks in the United States, and is ranked the sixth most prominent peak in the 48 contiguous states.[5] According to John W. Robinson and Bruce D. Risher, authors of The San Jacintos, "No Southern California hiker worth his salt would miss climbing 'San Jack' at least once."[6]
Known for its spectacular north escarpment, the peak rises over 8,000 feet (2,400 m) above San Gorgonio Pass. It plays host to the famous Cactus to Clouds Trail.
Anza Borrego SP
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (ABDSP) is a California State Park located within the Colorado Desert of southern California, United States. The park takes its name from 18th century Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza and borrego, a Spanish word for sheep.[1] With 585,930 acres (237,120 ha) that includes one-fifth of San Diego County, it is the largest state park in California.
The park occupies eastern San Diego County and reaches into Imperial and Riverside counties, enveloping two communities: Borrego Springs, which is home to the park's headquarters, and Shelter Valley.

Recommendations: This trip will be an active adventure and may include moderate to strenuous hikes and requires that you be accountable for your own physical conditioning and capability. Please confirm you don't have any medical conditions and you're capable of hiking (at a minimum) 8 miles in 4 hours and have hiking gear appropriate for the season and the conditions.

DISCLAIMER: If you join us for this event, please understand that you are responsible for your own (and your guests) preparedness and well-being and will hold no one else liable in case of injury or mishap. You agree not to hold the Event Organizer, Assistant Organizers, or any other members responsible for any injury, mishap or any other situation that may happen at this event. You are responsible to research this event, know the area and bring the proper gear. Your attendance to this event signifies that you have read and accepted the terms of this liability waiver.