Fly or drive into Palm Springs, CA (PSP)

We will pick you at the airport and shuttle you to our local meeting place / hotel (TBD). Since people are flying in from all over the country, you may have to wait around an hour or so for other participants to arrive to minimize number of airport trips. You are welcome to cab or Uber to our local hotel if you'd prefer not to wait.

We will assemble at: TBD, To Be Determined

As you arrive, we will perform a a quick equipment shakedown. We expect to have done this online prior to the trip and will only be looking for obvious last minute omissions such as water containers, day pack, hiking shoes etc.

Before body composition measurements taken

Make-your-own trail mix from our cornucopia of ingredients

At around 3PM, shuttle to campsite: TBD, To Be Determined Site(s) TBD

Guides prepare dinner in camp. On some trips with longer shuttle times, we may opt to go out for an opening dinner at a local restaurant. (Cost of restaurant dinner not included in trip price)

Camp at TBD, To Be Determined Site(s) TBD

Buy last minute and forgotten items at Nomad Ventures, Joshua Tree, 61795 29 Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252, (760) 366-4684. This can be done "as needed" during the trip as well.

Drive to Joshua Tree National Park

Drive to the Boy Scout Trailhead

Begin hiking at the Boy Scout Trailhead, elevation 4050'

Hike 3.6 miles to Willow Hole, elevation 4170'

Hike 3.6 miles back to the vehicles, elevation 4050'

Mileage Today: 7.2. Total mileage: 7.2

Shuttle back to campground (TBD), site(s) TBD

Possible bailout: Boy Scout Trailhead

Drive to Joshua Tree National Park, Pleasant Valley Backcountry Board, elevation 3300'

Hike about 4.3 miles on the Fried Liver Wash Trail to the Hexahedron Mine, elevation 4300'

Hike about 4.3 miles back to the vehicles at the Pleasant Valley Backcountry Board, elevation 3300'

Mileage Today: 8.6. Total mileage: 15.8

Shuttle back to campground (TBD), site(s) TBD

Possible bailout: Pleasant Valley Backcountry Board

Drive to Joshua Tree National Park, Juniper Flats Backcountry Board, elevation 4340'

Hike 3.7 miles on the California Riding and Hiking trail (CR&HT) to the Stubble Springs Loop trail, elevation 4700'

Hike 3.4 miles on the Stubble Springs trail to the Fan Canyon View, elevation 4900'

Hike 5.1 miles on the Stubble Springs trail and CR&HT to Juniper Flats, elevation 4340'

Mileage Today: 12.2. Total mileage: 28.0

Possible bailout: Juniper Flats

Shuttle back to campground (TBD), site(s) TBD

Drive to Joshua Tree National Park, Cottonwood Backcountry Board, elevation 3000'

Today we are hiking a reverse lollipop loop to Victory Palms

Hike 1.7 miles to Mastodon Peak, elevation 3285'

Hike 3.7 miles to Victory Palms, elevation 2680'

Hike 5.1 miles back to Cottonwood, elevation 3000'

Drive back to 29 Palms

Mileage Today: 10.5. Total mileage: 38.5

Shuttle back to campground (TBD), site(s) TBD

Possible bailout: Cottonwood

Wake up an hour before dawn in anticipation of a long day that requires us to shuttle vehicles and take 2 trips into the park. Please be ready to go early.

Drive to Joshua Tree National Park at the head of Smith Water Canyon dropping one vehicle off at Uphill Rd, 29 Palms, trailhead elevation 4650'

Hike 3.9 miles down beautiful and ever-changing Smith Water Canyon to the Quail Springs Trail, elevation 3650'. Please note: There is a 30 foot downhill rock scramble that may unnerve you so please be mentally and physically prepared for it.

Hike 4.1 miles out of the park to Uphill Rd. in 29 Palms, elevation 3250'

Shuttle back to Smith Water Canyon to pick up vehicle

Mileage Today: 8.0. Total mileage: 46.5

Shuttle back to campground (TBD), site(s) TBD

Possible bailout: 29 Palms

Drive to Joshua Tree National Park, Covington Backcountry Board, elevation 4820'

Hike 3.8 round-trip miles to Covington Crest, elevation 4890'

Take an aimless driving tour around the park, possibly stopping by Eureka Peak

Mileage Today: 3.8. Total mileage: 50.3

Possible bailout: Covington Crest

End of hiking

Shuttle back to Palm Springs

Shuttle back to local hotel: TBD, To Be Determined

Gather your off-trail items from storage

After body composition measurements taken

Dinner and awards ceremony at a local restaurant (Dinner cost not included in trip price)

Stay in our local hotel (included in trip cost)

We would like to get everyone to the airport in a timely manner and not have people sit around all day waiting for their flights. We expect to shuttle everyone early in the morning in one shuttle to make sure those leaving earliest can catch their flights. We may also have a 2nd shuttle which will depend greatly upon how many participants we have and when their flights are. As we get closer, we'll have a better idea of how to proceed.