We got to Joshua Tree excited to start exploring – I’ve heard wondrous, awe-inspiring things about Joshua Tree.

And then a snow storm hit for the first time in 5 years. Suffice it to say we weren’t trekking up into the mountains with our little sedan. Actually, we quite literally couldn’t – the National Park first blocked cars that weren’t 4X4s and then ended up shutting down the park.

So, we spent our first day locked inside the hotel drinking bad red wine and watching The Office because the massive amounts of rain and snow were causing flash floods and washed out roads throughout the town of TwentyNine Palms and the neighboring towns.

Day 1 (for real)

Finally getting into the park felt great. The Oasis Visitor’s Center had no snow, and as we slowly climbed up into the mountains, the snow capped peaks started peaking out around the curves in the road.

Once we entered the “fee area,” the park opened up into a snow covered haven. Locals were losing their minds, making their way through the park’s winding main road.

We did one hike – Barker Dam. A 1.1 mile loop, the trail was hard to identify in the snow, flooded out in many spots, but a relief to get out of the car and stomp around in the snow a bit!

The views were beautiful!