I entered Joshua Tree from the south. Joshua Tree is so close to home yet I had never stopped by. Most of the “Sights” are located in the northern portion of the park. The Cholla Cactus Garden is very impressive. This is not the place to let pets or young kids run around unattended. There are hundreds of the plants growing in a dense forest of cactus. The sun passing through the spines create sort of a halo around the plants.
Besides the Joshua Tree the National Monument is famous for the rounded granitic boulders. Joshua Tree is a favorite spot for rock climbers.