I still haven’t found what I’m looking for…but this is pretty close. We arrive at Joshua tree and all the campgrounds are full (of course) because its spring break time. We decide to do a drive through the park to get a scope of the place. I can no longer stand being couped up in the van so we park by Split Rock and head out for a run. We connect various trails together, skull rock, face rock, discovery trail and even made our own trail. (got lost)

BLM land camping is normally pretty good but we read reviews of camping in Joshua Tree BLM and it was pretty mixed. When heading out on bumpy dirt roads we found many people in all sorts of campers, tents, RVs, etc.. were spread across a large field. Securing a level place to park, we set out our chairs, had a nice dinner and watched the sunset over the San Gorgonio Mountain range.

In the early morning we head to Natural sister’s cafe for organic coffee and juice. No bathrooms on BLM so that too. Back into Joshua Tree Park and have breakfast in the van. Head out for a long run on Stubbe Springs Loop.

Lots of good single track, some sandy parts, and becoming immersed into the desert . Big eared jack rabbits hopped very fast off the trail ahead of us. Flowers of various shapes, sizes, and colors dot the path. Cactus varieties also cling close so you have to be careful when running. They are super sharp. Wide open views of Mt. Jacinto and Mt. San Gorgonio.

We both got pretty hot by the end of the run. Lunch break in van at Keys View. One more overnight on BLM land and Paul is able to get some work done. 4G on the hot spot, whoo hoo. I choose to stream a movie instead.