0.5 miles
100 feet gain
2/10
Twentynine Palms ,CA (92277) 126.39 miles from you Weather Map
From the 10 freeway east of Cabazon and west of Palm Springs, exit at the CA-62 E turnoff (which is signed as the route to Joshua Tree National Park, Twentynine Palms, and Yucca Valley). Travel northeast along CA-62 E (which eventually becomes 29 Palms Highway) past Desert Hot Springs and Yucca Valley to Twentynine Palms. Turn south (right) on Indian Cove Road (located 9 miles east of Park Boulevard within the city of Joshua Tree). Travel past the Ranger Station to the Indian Cove Campground, and bear right along the campground road...the Nature Trail is located in the west end of the campground.
Ensconced in the rock climbing mecca known as The Wonderland of Rocks is the Indian Cove Nature Trail, where an inquisitive day hiker can enjoy glorious views of clear blue skies (and abundant wildflowers in the spring) as he or she acquires an education on the flora characteristic of the Colorado/Mojave desert transition zone. On days when Spiderperson-wannabes can be sighted scaling the monzogranite behemoths endemic to this area and buddies are heard egging climbers on, a hiker is also treated to an experience that's as unique as "J-Tree" itself. The Indian Cove Nature Trail is well-marked, well-signed, and easy-to-follow: be sure to bring plenty of water for the trip to and from the trailhead as well as for the hike itself, and be wary of rattlesnakes slithering in and around the abundance of senna bushes.