Joshua Tree National Park

Date: 19 January 2009 – 1 day
Departure: 0800 Return time: 1830 Miles: 470
Riders: Tom Miller
Route: Ridgecrest - 395 -18 - 247 - 62 - JTNP road - 10 - 15 - Route 66 - Silver Lakes - 395 - Ridgecrest

When I checked the outside temperature, the thermometer was in the blue (30 degrees). I decided two sweatshirts, thermals and two pair of socks under the usual leather were in order. With GPS programmed, I picked up my friend Tom and we headed out. It was overcast, but Tom said it was expected to clear and be warm. I was looking forward to a great day of riding to Joshua Tree National Park. Neither of us had been through the park before, but I was confident the GPS new exactly where we were going.

Highway 395 is a long boring stretch of blacktop, with a lot of traffic and a major trucking route. Having ridden it a lot, I know it as well as I do other highways in and out of Ridgecrest. Highways 395, 178, 14 all converge in the Ridgecrest area. So I ride these roads a lot and knowing where the curves are, where the speed limits change and where passing lanes are makes a difference, especially when riding at night or in poor weather. Although I expected it to be dark on the ride home, the weather and roads for this trip were excellent.

Our first stop was in Apple Valley where Tom suggested we top off. We got back on the road headed east. The sun was up and it was overcast, but I could see off in the distance it was clearing just as Tom said it would. We were now on Highway 18 headed toward 247 and finally 62.

We arrived at the Joshua Tree National park entrance and stopped at the visitor center to pick up the usual National Park map. All National Parks maps and trip planning guides are available at http://www.nps.gov. Tom and I walked across the street to a pizza trailer serving New York Style pizza. Tom got cheese, mine was pepperoni. For $3, it was perfect. Tom noted, New York style is eaten by folding the pizza in half. With mine properly folded, I made quick work of it. A diet Coke washed it down.

A family at the visitor center noticed our motorcycles. Their little boy was fascinated at them. His father said his name is “Harley” and wants one of his own someday. We followed them to the entrance station. Harley kept looking at us out the back window of their SUV. At the entrance station, I used my “America the Beautiful” national parks annual pass to gain admission for Tom and myself. Harley and his family departed ahead of us. We waved good-bye.

The road through Joshua Tree is paved, well maintained and perfect for motorcycles. Although the speed limit for most of the park is 35 mph, it seemed fast enough for picture taking while riding. There are many points of interest along the way with markers ahead of time for those planning to stop. There are forests of Joshua Trees to wind through, exhibits of picturesque, expansive desert and mountains, large boulders for climbing, natural springs, and cactus gardens.

On the way to see a couple of these spots, I took the camera out to get some shots on the road. I’d taken what I thought was several good shots, but trying to manage a camera while riding is not the easiest thing to do, especially with winter gloves on. The camera was off. After turning it on, I managed to get some good shots. A little editing at home and most would be presentable.

First stop was the Cholla Cactus Garden. From a distance a cholla looks kind of fuzzy, but closer inspection should convince you to keep hands off. The fuzziness turns out to be thousands of long, thin sharply barbed spines. Cholla is also called the “jumping cactus”. If you get close enough to one, the slightest touch will cause a part of it to jump off onto you. A close encounter with a cholla will not be soon forgotten. We shed some layers before continuing along the windy road through the park, picking up a little speed to add to our enjoyment through the “twisties”.

Stop number two was at Cottonwood Springs. An interesting and beautiful spot where water flows somewhat slowly out of the ground to add some green to the otherwise brown desert terrain. There were several fan palms at this spot and of course a few cottonwoods. There’s a well marked trail to a 3.5 mile distant Lost Springs many hike to. Tom made it up to the top of the first ridge, so see what was on the other side. If you want to know, you’ll have to hike it as Tom did, but you can probably imagine.

Leaving this area, we followed a rather large motor home for a few miles, then he politely pulled over so we could pass only to get behind another, which also pulled over for us. In a couple more miles we exited the park back into the uncivilized race on I-10 and headed west. Next stop Palm Springs Harley - closed Mondays. Strike one. We gassed up and headed for Quaids Harley in Loma Linda.

When we got to Cabazon, I remembered Hadley’s Orchards and pulled off to check it out, only to find it wasn’t where I thought it was. It was at the next exit. After seeing it, I signaled to Tom and we pulled off and headed back. Hadley’s has been serving date and date/banana shakes since I can remember, more than 50 years anyway. It’s a great stop for fruit, nuts, dates, lunch and shakes. I prefer the date variety and Tom had the date/banana, both excellent. Back on the road to Quaids – also closed. Strike two.

We decided to try Victorville Harley, so we headed up Cajon Pass. You’d think there’d be a checkered flag at the top, cars are going so fast up the pass. We did see a couple black and whites however. Finally Victorville Harley was in sight. You guessed, empty parking lot like the rest. Strike three. Next time I’ll take batting practice by looking up operating hours before heading out.

Tom suggested Route 66 through Silver Lakes. Off we went at a good pace until we got behind a tanker in no hurry to get back to the plant and no where to pass. The sun was going down off to our left as finally the tanker pulled off. We stopped in Silver Lakes, geared up again in preparation for the cold and headed west into the sunset. As we got on 395 headed north, light was fading fast and the traffic headed south was a continual stream of bright headlights. Quickly we caught up to a tractor trailer rig in front of us. He pulled onto the shoulder and signaled us to pass, which we did, just to get behind another that didn’t want to pull onto the shoulder. So we waited for an opportunity to pass. A long time we waited. Finally an opening and Tom accelerated past the truck, cutting it close, with definitely no room for me. I knew however that a passing lane was coming up. In 30 seconds, the truck took the right lane. Highway 395 may be long and boring, but riding it often has its advantages like knowing where the passing lanes are. I caught up to Tom as we headed down into Kramer Junction “Four Corners”. We gassed up and headed for home.

Another beautiful day and a great ride to enter in the books. I’m reminded after putting on another 470 miles, I better get the 25,000 mile service scheduled quick and new tires and maybe brakes. Although riding is fun, it takes a little work to enjoy it.

Tom Lystrup