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    Vacation » Hike to Ryan Mountain | Joshua Tree National Park

    Hike to Ryan Mountain | Joshua Tree National Park

    Posted: 08/10/2011 | Last updated: 07/15/2024 by Erin K. Browne 2 Comments
    Post may contain affiliate links via Amazon Associates or other programs. (Disclosure)

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    When we were in California in June so Matt could be a groomsman in a friend's wedding, we decided to get up at the crack of dawn one morning and go for a hike!  Matt has fond memories of Joshua Tree National Park from his childhood and teen years.  He was a summer camp counselor, and over the years I've heard tons of stories from his camp days.  When we realized we'd have a free morning, he insisted that he show me the place where he used to spend so much time!  I was all for it!

    We woke up at 5am and went on a breakfast hunt.  We wanted our usual egg sandwich, but after trying a Starbucks and a local bakery with no luck (everything was still baking since it was so early), we admitted defeat and went through the drive-thru at Del Taco.

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park
    Breakfast burritos - they were fairly sketchy, to be honest, but it was food.

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park
    It was a bit of a drive from Placentia, but when we got close I began to get very excited about the scenery I was seeing outside of my window!

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park
    Wind farms near Palm Springs.  I'm reminded of a scene in the movie Rain Man when I see these.

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park
    Had to take a few photos of the famous Joshua Trees!

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park
    The landscape had so many interesting features!

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park
    Ready to get to the trailhead.

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park
    Let's go!

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park
    We chose to hike up Ryan Mountain, which is a fairly short hike at 3 miles for the round trip, and an elevation gain of 1,070 ft.

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park
    The scenery was very different than hiking in the Smokies.  The green woods and moist air were replaced with red deserts and smooth rocks.

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park
    Mountain ferns were replaced with cacti.

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park
    Hundred year old trees were replaced with beautiful gnarled manzanita.

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park
    Shaded trails were replaced with open, rocky hillsides.

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park
    We saw many interesting plants along the way (I'll let my more green-thumbed friends do the identification for me)

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park
    About halfway up.  You could see forever and ever!

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park
    My body must be more acclimated to the humidity back home than I thought, because the air in the desert was so dry!  It felt like I was sucking air straight out of a radiator.  Never in my lifetime did I think I'd be wishing for MORE humidity!

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park
    Gorgeous scenery.  Even though it was a hot day, the tallest mountains in the distance were snow-capped!

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park
    See the snow?  Way out there?

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park
    Pretty light sparkling through the bushes

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park
    More smooth rock.  In some places, smooth rock was covered in tiny loose pebbles, which created some tricky footing at times.

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park
    More interesting plants

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park
    Pretty!

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park
    More glowing morning sunlight.

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park
    Getting there!

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park
    The trail may be short, but you gain quite a bit of elevation over a short distance.  Matt caught me taking a breather just before reaching the top.  Hmph!

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park
    "The light is crap when you look at me, so look toward the sun!  Now you have to POSE!"  Sigh.  The things you have to do to get some decent light in high sun.

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park
    More pretty prickly spiny friends.

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park
    Another Joshua Tree

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park
    At the top!

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park
    Standin' on the summit.  The wind was fierce.

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park
    Don't you just love him.

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park
    Big pile of loose rocks at the top.

    Hike to Ryan Mountain at Joshua Tree National Park
    Success!  After a quick snack and water break, we got the heck out of there.  The sun was climbing higher by the minute and the heat was getting intense.  With no shade to protect us from the rays, we needed to bolt, lest we look like lobsters at the upcoming wedding!

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    About Erin K. Browne

    Erin K. Browne is an author of a cookbook (The Unofficial Dollywood Cookbook, Simon & Schuster/Adams Media) and Dollywood guide (The Ultimate Guide to Dollywood, Simon & Schuster/Adams Media) She has over two decades experience with recipe development. Erin is a mom of two human babies and a sweet kitty named Biscuit Fingers ("Ketto"). She loves comfy clothes, sarcastic t-shirts, and reading thrillers. Make her day and toss her a like on Facebook or follow her on Instagram. Post may contain affiliate links including those via the Amazon Associates program

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    1. Susan

      August 10, 2011 at 10:27 am

      Loved the picture of the cacti that followed your purdy picture pose.
      Kind of sad that the cruise pictures are all done 🙁

      Reply

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