Geology of Joshua Tree Guided Hike
Description
This early morning exploration focuses on the deep geological history embedded in the desert landscape. Participants will hike short distances to striking rock formations while learning how ancient processes shaped the terrain over millions of years.
Your instructor will explain rock composition, erosion patterns, and the forces that continue to shape the desert today. Along the way, participants are encouraged to observe textures, layers, and formations that tell the story of past environments.
The experience is designed to be accessible and engaging while fostering a deeper understanding of the natural forces that built the desert landscape.
This class takes place at Geology Tour Road.
Anyone may attend! No expertise or experience is required.
Entry to Joshua Tree National Park is not included in the cost of enrollment. Please purchase your park pass ahead of time by visiting the NPS website.
No meals or equipment are provided.
Participants are responsible for their own transportation; carpooling with other participants is encouraged.
This class is leisurely. It requires less than 2 miles of walking, limited shade, uneven terrain, and little elevation gain. We’ll be walking a short distance along a road that sometimes is a wash (like many desert roads) (i.e. the first part of the loop in the Geology Tour Road, going clockwise). There will be some very minor scrambling to get to rock surfaces we want to examine.
Required Items:
Water (1 - 2 liters per person)
Appropriate hiking attire
Food and snacks
Closed-toe athletic shoes
Sun protection: A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are recommended
Daypack
Camera (optional)
A full tank of gas (or full charge for EVs) prior to arriving at the meeting location
Discount Policy: Only one discount may be applied per registration. Discounts cannot be combined. Eligible discounts include Friends & Family, Teacher, Veteran, Active Duty Military (and spouses), Park Lover Member, and Student discounts. The highest applicable single discount will be applied at checkout.
Meet Your Instructor: Meet Your Instructor: Arch McCulloch spent most of his undergraduate years studying the natural sciences before being seduced by the dark side. After decades spent in windowless rooms writing software and analyzing data security, he found himself at the end of a dirt road in the Mojave Desert, where he volunteers with local environmental organizations, and searches for his lost roots.
Photo Credit: NPS/Jesmira Bonoan
FAQs
- Who do I contact if I am running late?
Please plan to arrive on time for your class. We allow a 10-minute grace period for check-in before the class officially departs or begins. If you find that you will not be making it, please notify us in advance via email at desertinstitute@joshuatree.org.
- What if I need to cancel?
Desert Institute will provide a full refund if we are notified more than 7 days in advance. We are unable to process refunds for any cancellations less than 7 days in advance.
- Does Desert Institute cancel activities for weather or low enrollment?
If we do not meet our minimum of 10 registered participants for any given activity, we will likely cancel the activity with at least 48+ hours’ notice. Desert Institute runs classes rain or shine, except for astrophotography classes, which require mostly clear skies to be successful. If weather poses a safety risk, the class will be cancelled or postponed. We recommend that you purchase travel insurance, as we are unable to reimburse for expenses you incur due to a canceled class, such as airfare and hotel.
- What if I forgot something I need?
Our visitor centers and park stores are stocked with amazing essentials for your adventure. Preview or purchase items from our online shop; we carry hats, shirts, bandanas, water bottles, notebooks, maps, books. And more!
- Can I bring my kids? My Spouse? Pets?
Only registered participants may attend Desert Institute activities (unless noted in the activity description). If this is a kid-friendly activity, please make sure your child(ren) are registered and meet the age requirements. As much as we love pets, we don’t allow them in the field with any of our activities.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
Get Tickets
Get Tickets
More events from this host
