from Parker via Joshua Tree to Rancho Mirage
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RouteXpert Chantal HV
Last edit: 12-04-2020
Route Summary
Route 14/15 of a three-week tour through the west of America, from Parker to Rancho Mirage.
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Verdict
Duration
4h 49m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
332.78 km
Countries
Twentynine Palms
RouteXpert Review
Route, text and photos of MRA Goldmember André ter Schegget. All route points were checked and the route was equalized for Garmin and TT. Sometimes you have to place a few extra route points. Route 14/15 of a three-week tour through the west of America, from Parker to Rancho Mirage.
Today a long route through the desert. Make sure you have refueled before departure.
Head west to drive to Twentynine Palms via SR 62, through the desert. A piece of about 109 miles / 177 km by the big nothing.
At Twentynine Palms we turn left onto the Utah trail / Park Blvd towards the beautiful Joshua Tree National Park. However, it is advisable to first go straight ahead into Twentynine Palms to refuel, and to strengthen the inner man RP 6-7-8. There are no possibilities for this in the park.
Once in the park you will find the so-called "Face Rock" or "Skull Rock" at RP 9. You are in the area "Jumbo Rocks". If you look around you will understand why. Past RP 10 we turn left onto the Keys View Road on which we follow to the viewpoint at the end of the road. Here you have a view of the "Coachella Valley". The "San Andreas fault line" runs through this valley and is clearly visible on clear days. Furthermore you have a view of the "Santa Rosa Mountains", the "San Jacinto Peak" behind Palm Springs and right on the often snowy summit of "San Gorgonio Mountain". Due to smog (from LA), vision may sometimes be limited.
Via the same Keys View Rd back to Park Blvd where we make a trip to Barker Dam RP 12. From the parking lot you can make a hike to the dam. The journey is about 2 km long. Note: there is no water behind the dam for some years now but the surroundings are beautiful.
At RP13 there is "Hidden Valley", a valley surrounded by rocks where former cattle thieves hid the stolen cattle, where you can also take a short walk of 2 km.
At Joshua Tree we leave the park and continue via SR 62 to "Hollywood's desert playground" Palm Springs. You can choose to stay here (choice enough) but you can also follow the road to Rancho Mirage or even Palm Desert where the hotels are generally a lot cheaper.
If you stay in Rancho Mirage as we did, then you can go to Babe's Bar-B-Que & Brewhouse for the best steak of this holiday. Not cheap but an absolute must!
Joshua Tree National Park
Key View Road
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Disclaimer
Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
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