The Big Hike at Joshua Tree

Joshua Tree National Park is one of the most beautiful places on earth and it’s less than 2 hours from Cornerstone. There are amazing boulders to climb and the trails are easy for even young children. If you’ve never been this is your chance to join other families & singles for this amazing day of easy hiking. Pastor Andy & his wife Shannon have hiked these trails a few times and will be your guides. This event is put on by the Young Families ministry (but anyone is welcome to join in on the hike!)

HIKES: We’ll hike the following two easy trails that are very family & elderly friendly:

#1 Hidden Valley Nature Trail

#2 Barker Dam Trail

COST: $35 (paid directly to the national park)

THE PLAN:
7:00am: Depart your home
8:45am: Arrive at “West Entrance Station”
9:00am: Park opens (pay $35 fee)
10:00am: Hike Hidden Valley Nature Trail
11:00am: Eat a lunch you bring
11:30am: Hike Barker Dam
12:30pm: Depart Joshua Tree for home

DIRECTIONS:
We are not carpooling. Please check your GPS with the goal of arriving in your car at the West Entrance Station between 9am-9:15am to be on time for the first hike. There is a bathroom at the entrance of the park and at each hike entrance.

The West Entrance Station is located five miles south of the junction of Highway 62 and Park Boulevard at Joshua Tree Village. Here is the GPS: https://goo.gl/maps/Z6KV1DENcyN9EWbT6.

Most people take: I-215 North to CA-60 E/Moreno Valley Fwy and I-10 E to Whitewater, then take exit 117 from I-10 E. Continue on CA-62 E/29 Palms Hwy. Drive to Park Blvd in San Bernardino County.

Once you are in the park grab a map and drive the 15 minutes to the Hidden Valley Nature Trail (https://goo.gl/maps/Z36psL395dr1qtx16). We’ll meet up at the parking lot and start our hike at 10am. This trail is 1.1 miles, flat, and typically takes 30 minutes to complete, but you’ll want to leave some time for climbing some fun boulders on the sides of the trail.

Then we’ll drive the 6 minutes to the Barker Dam Nature Trail (https://goo.gl/maps/GG9SwKa4UwNwnyfe7). This trail is 1.1 miles, flat and typically takes 25 minutes to complete.

WHAT TO BRING?
Please bring water, snacks and a lunch (or buy lunch on the way back).

WHAT IF I’M LATE?
If you miss us at the first hike then please meet us in the parking lot for the Barker Dam trail at 11:30am to rejoin the group. If you get lost or want to take more time – that’s fine, go at your own pace, but these are the times we’ll be starting each of the trails as a group.

Text Pastor Andy if you have questions: (951) 708-1748. There is good cell service in the town of Joshua Tree, and spotty to no service on the trails, but the maps and signs are easy to follow.