Hiking Trail Guide: Joshua Tree NP - Negro Hill

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Joshua Tree NP - Negro Hill

Distance
1.25 miles

Elevation
400 feet gain

Difficulty
2/10

City
Joshua Tree ,CA (92252) 112.1 miles from you Weather Map

Trailhead
Take the 10 freeway to the 62 - head North, pass through Morongo Valley, Yucca Valley and the town of Joshua Tree. You will see signs that say Joshua Tree National Park. Turn right on Park Avenue, there is a sign and a stoplight. Follow the road for 6 miles to the entrance gate. Pay your entrance fee and continue, drive for about ten miles, until you see the sign for Parker Dam, turn left and follow this road almost to the parking lot. Here you will see a dirt road on your right - this is Queen Valley Road - follow it. You will come to a fork, take the left one. Follow it to the parking area and new restroom.

You can also make a left at Geology tour road to get to the parking area.

There is no trail, just walk through the wash and up the side of Negro Hill, careful it is rocky.

Description

This is a good, quick and relatively easy scramble up the side of a hill. It only took me about 15 minutes to get up there, and I didn't have to stop to rest. Watch for loose footing and spiky succulents, cholla, cacti, and any other pitfalls you may encounter.

I can't give any advice on which way to go, just choose what looks best to you.

This is a great place to enjoy the cerulean sky, and to get away from the Disneylanders that flock in other more popular parts of the park.

Negro Hill is definitely off the beaten path, and it rivals Ryan Mountain as the best view in the park. From the top you get a 360 that includes Queen Valley, Ryan Mountain, San G and Jac, Wonderland of rocks, Pine City, and much more.

Be careful on the way down, it is harder going than it was coming up.

Map / Directions: