Lost Palm Oasis, CA • Hike
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Lost Palm Oasis, CA

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Difficulty 2 of 5
Route Finding 2 of 5
Distance Round Trip 7.6 miles
Trailhead Elevation 3,006 feet
Elevation Gain 500 feet
Accumulated Gain 1,150 feet
Avg Time Round Trip 5-6 hours
Kokopelli Seeds 13.35
 Interest Seasonal Creek
 Backpack No
 Dogs not allowed
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23  2021-11-26
Lost Palms Oasis Mastodon Peak Loop
John10s
12  2021-11-10 trekkin_gecko
10  2017-03-15 Jim_H
26  2016-02-07
Joshua Tree NP
DallinW
8  2015-04-08 rvcarter
44  2012-05-04
Mastadon Peak
rwstorm
14  2012-04-25 gummo
22  2011-05-21 gummo
Author
author avatar Guides 64
Routes 74
Photos 9,059
Trips 2,064 map ( 12,522 miles )
Age Male Gender
Location Arizona, AZ
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Inland Region
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Preferred Mar, Nov, Feb, Apr → 9 AM
Seasons   Early Autumn to Late Spring
Sun  6:01am - 5:47pm
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Lost Palm Oasis: Found!
by Jim_H

 Likely In-Season!
I'm of the opinion that Palm Oasis is one of the most interesting natural features of inland southern California. Some are hard to get to, like Mortero Palms. Some are very easy to get to, like Mountain Palm Springs, or Borrego Palm Canyon. This one is moderate, as access is paved, but there is a 7 and 1/2 mile round trip hike. However, in an often crowded national park, that hike distance thins the heard and lends itself to some solitude at times of the year with the nicest of weather, when in the oasis.
Leaving from Cottonwood Springs, pass through the lovely oasis vegetation of tall palms and cottonwoods. Pass the intersection for the loop to Mastodon Peak, and continue on this lovely trail to the Oasis. Along the way, you'll enjoy fantastic upper Colorado (Sonoran) Desert scenery, views of boulder fields in the Eagle Mountains, and distant desert vistas. You might look back and catch a glimpse of San Gorgonio, but probably not San Jacinto, above some of Joshua Tree National Park's Little San Bernardino Mountains. If in winter or spring of a good year, San Gorgonio will be snow-covered. A small portion of this hike follows a sandy wash, but most is on the uplands.

Nearing the end of the trail, a sign indicates your destination below, just before your final descent to the Lost Palm Oasis. Explore the oasis, stay on rock as much as possible to avoid vegetation and soil compaction, and do your best to protect the oasis ecosystem by not damaging plants, water sources, or other features. The trail is marked with mileage signs, and at the end of the oasis, just past the last of the palms, mile marker "4" is on the south slope. Return the way you came, and enjoy!

At the time of this writing, near the lower end of the oasis, a different kind of palm has been seeded in, most likely by human (not me) sources. A true date palm of about 3 or 4 years of age, is currently growing. In time, this may get larger and become an addition to the oasis, or the NPS may correctly choose to remove it as an exotic species. Date palms are dioecious and are either male or female. This is probably a seed from one of the local Medjol Dater Palm orchards, brought in during someone's lunch, and growing after being left behind. A single date palm, being male or female, will be unable to reproduce in this isolated location. However, it can create a small colony by pupping, or growing side stems from near the ground.

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2017-03-17 Jim_H
    WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

     Permit $$
    NPS

    Joshua Tree National Park
    7-Day Vehicle Permit: $25 View Fees


     Directions
    or
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     Road
    Paved - Car Okay

    To hike
    From Palm Springs, CA, take I-10 east to exit 168. From Phoenix, AZ, take I-10 west to exit 168 in California. This is the signed exit for Joshua Tree National Park and is the Box Canyon Rd or Cottonwood Springs Rd. Drive north on Cottonwood Springs Road towards the Cottonwood Visitor Center. Just before the visitor center, turn east (right) onto Cottonwood Oasis Road. Follow this to its end, parking and the obvious signed trailhead.
    page created by HAZ_Hikebot on Mar 17 2017 11:54 am
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