Barker Dam Loop at Joshua Tree National Park

      In times gone by, these high elevations of the Mojave Desert were a verdant grassland for many months of the year.  Even as recent as the late 1880's were the temperatures slightly more pleasant and the average annual rainfall higher.  In those days ranchers used the haunts of Hidden Valley and its surrounding plateau as grazing country for cattle.  Needing an assurance of a regular water supply in the dry summer months, one of these ranchers decided on building a modest dam to hold water enough for man and beast alike even in the most torrid days of the Mojave sun.  Today, while no cattle nor active ranches can be found, the dam remains, as does its small basin of water; an important oasis of sorts for wildlife and appealing destination for the Joshua Tree visitor.  While the Barker Dam loop trail is very short and usually crowded on pleasant weekends, it and its surrounding country, are locations well worth any hiker's time.     

Stats: 

Category: Easy

Miles: 1.3

Elevation Gain: 100'

Location: Joshua Tree National Park

Directions: HERE

The Trail: From the Barker Dam trailhead, follow the well-used path through the hearty stands of Mojave montane scrub; the dominant vegetation on this trip.  Notable plants in this community include the Desert Scrub Oak, Ironwood, Smoke Tree, Mojave Mounds, Hedgehog and Prickly Pear Cacti, Mormon Tea, Creosote, Desert Almond, Acacia, Cholla, Single-Leaf Pinyon, California Juniper, Mojave Yucca, and of course park's namesake Joshua Tree.  All of these neighbors here compete for limited desert resources and their claims to these are made manifest by their sparse growth among the surface.   As you walk gently up a small pinto-gneiss canyon, pay special attention to movements on the cliffs above, as herds of Nelson Bighorn roam free among these parts.  Soon, the trail intersects the lake headed by historical Barker Dam, before descending into a plain of Joshua Trees and its supporting vegetation.  Keep a sharp eye out for reptiles of various kinds, with particular care to heed the signs and sounds of the rattlesnakes which frequent the area.  Before making a final turn back to the trailhead, the path takes a detour towards a small collection of Chemuhevi petroglyphs carved (and painted now by vandals) into the rock.  After enjoying this indigenous work, follow the mild trail back to the start.  

Hiked 4/2/2017.  Riverside County, CA