Hiking Trail Guide: Joshua Tree NP - Lucky Boy Vista

>> Back to Hiking Trail Guide

Joshua Tree NP - Lucky Boy Vista

Distance
2.5 miles

Elevation
200 feet gain

Difficulty
2/10

City
Joshua Tree ,CA (92252) 112.1 miles from you Weather Map

Trailhead
Take the 10 freeway to the 62 - head North, pass through Morongo Valley, Yucca Valley and the town of Joshua Tree. You will see signs that say Joshua Tree National Park. Turn right on Park Avenue, there is a sign and a stoplight. Follow the road for 6 miles to the entrance gate. Pay your entrance fee and continue, drive for about ten miles, until you see the sign for Barker Dam, turn left and follow this road almost to the parking lot. Here you will see a dirt road on your right - this is Queen Valley Road - follow it. You will come to a fork, take the left one. Follow it to the parking area and new restroom. Make the turn and watch for a turnout on your left about half a mile down the road. There is a wooden post with backcountry regulations posted on it.

Or you can take the Geology Tour road left from the main road in the park. The turnout will be on your right. It is unmarked, except for the wooden backcountry post.

The trail is the wide road.

Description

The first half mile of this trail is stunning. It is representative of Queen Valley, which in my opinion is one of the finest places in the park. You get boulders, yuccas, Joshua trees, pines, vistas, and nice flat trails. The rest of the way is just so-so. The view from the top of the vista is not as good as that from Negro Hill or Ryan Mountain, but then again, you don't have much to climb to get to it, either.

There are a lot of mine shafts, four are blocked off by marginal posts and wire, and you can see the remains of many more.

This is a nice walk, and is a good place to go if you don't like crowds.

Map / Directions: