Mojave National Preserve was created in 1994. Prior to that it was under BLM's purview. Cattle still run, skip and trot, hunting is allowed. There DOES seem to be less target-practice than in other places. And the fly-over traffic noise is less than around Barstow. It's a nice place. The first three photos were taken near the Hole-In-The-Wall Information Center. The Joshua Tree was along the road to Goffs.
There are a surprising number of opportunities for dispersed (free) camping.
And of those I visited, all were relatively untrammeled...another indication the place offers some real solitude.
I had the EXTRAORDINARILY good fortune to visit the Preserve Headquarters in Barstow the day Dora was on duty. Dora leads tours, works with many of the other professionals who manage the preserve, and has an immense amount of knowledge. She kindly spent the better part of an hour, even BEYOND closing-time, telling me of places to see...and sandy roads to avoid.
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| I overheard a Ranger tell another visitor Joshua Trees may be 1,500 years old. |
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| Joshua Tree "Blossom" |
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