#155 Keys Peak (via Indian Cove)

Entering the wash on the Boy Scout Trail.

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Parking coordinates: 34.08261°N, -116.1909°W.

Summary

The Boy Scout trail goes from Indian Cove to Park Road inside of Joshua Tree National Park.  Therefore, there is more than one way to get to Keys Peak.  I do prefer the route from Indian Cove, though.

The canyon walls begin closing in.

Not only is it fee free from that starting point, but the hike is more memorable.  From Indian Cove, the trail slides into a wash, passes along some tight canyon walls, then elevates to the Joshua Tree Plateau.  After that, there is still a peak to climb.

Leaving the trail toward Keys Peak.

Since there are no signs pointing out Keys Peak, I referred to hiking apps on my phone to assure me that the giant rockpile I was looking at was actually the one considered to be Keys Peak.

On the summit.

As the trail began passing the peak on the west side, I left the trail and walked over to its base.  From there, I carefully worked my way up and through the boulders toward the summit.  At the top, I found a summit register, which certainly alleviated whatever doubts I had regarding whether or not I was climbing the right peak.

Summit benchmark.

Great views appear in all directions overlooking the canyons I climbed, the other peaks to the east, and also the Joshua Tree Plateau.  After a long pause at the summit to soak it all in, I carefully descended and returned back down the canyon.  On the way back I passed Mount Mel.  I considered adding it to the hike, but decided that I would come back sometime and give the Mount Mel hike its own day, while also exploring Indian Cove more closely.

Passing below Mount Mel.

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#154 South Park Peak & High View

Looking up toward High View.

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South Park Peak Hiking Map.

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Parking coordinates: 34.0786°N, -116.3997°W.

Summary

This hike is one of the shorter ones, but worthy of its own write-up.  Much like the Warren Peak hike, this one starts at Black Rock Campground, although at a different trailhead. The trailhead sits at the end of South Park Road, in a relatively small parking area. 

Approaching the summit.

A single loop hike can be formed to summit both South Park Peak and the overlook known as High View.  I completed this one as an add-on hike to the area after completing the Warren Peak - Panorama Loop hike.  It was too convenient to ignore, especially when I had quite a bit more to give in my energy tank.

On the summit of South Park Peak.

I started the hike going north in a counterclockwise direction to reach South Park Peak.  The early steps after leaving the parking lot was the only point where there was a steep section (only a few steps), the rest of the way was easy going.  It wraps around the east slope of South Park Peak for some good views over the town of Yucca Valley.  On the summit sits a bench and a summit register.

A Joshua tree archway.

I looped down the west slope back to the parking area, where I continued on the Hi-View Nature Trail toward High View to form a second loop.  This too is a short and easy climb to a nice overlook of the area.  I again continued down the opposite slope, then eventually back to the parking area, which was visible the whole time.  Short and sweet, yet still there are a few other hikes in the area that can also be added on for the day.

View from High View.

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#153 Warren Peak & Panorama Loop

A lone Joshua Tree and Warren Peak.

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Parking coordinates: 34.05513°N, -116.40718°W.

Summary

The hike begins at Black Rock Campground, which has no fee for day-hikers to visit. Warren Peak is a hike that I had completed several times from this starting point. 

Warren Peak.

However, including Panorama Peak to the hike makes this a much better experience.  So instead of just going out an back to Warren Peak, the Panorama Peak Loop is quickly accessible along the way.  

On the summit of Warren Peak.

Warren Peak has great views over the northwest part of the park to the south, as well as the town of Yucca Valley to the north. I pondered for a bit on the conical summit before returning the wash, where the Panorama Peak junction is accessed. 

Heading up the Panorama Loop.

The hike gradually climbs up a ridge to its high point at Panorama Peak.  As the name suggests, the views are good up there. 

Summit view toward Yucca Valley.

After the high point, the trail loops back down to the wash, where it then becomes a sandy descent back to the parking area and campground.  This may be the best hike in the Black Rock area, although there are certainly more to choose from.  I took the time to give nearly each its own day.

Viewing Warren Peak on the way back.

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#152 Strawberry Peak

On the way to Strawberry Peak.

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Parking coordinates: 34.2836°N, -118.1203°W.

Summary

Strawberry Peak sits along a high ridge featuring Josephine Peak and Mount Lawlor.  Strawberry is the tallest and more impressive of the three.  It also does resemble an upside down strawberry! 

Getting a good view of Strawberry Peak.

The Strawberry Peak Trail extends along the lower slope of Mount Lawlor, which is rather level much of the way leading to Strawberry Saddle.  From the saddle, it is a different story, as it climbs rather abruptly up the side of the mountain.  However, with persistence, and the desire to stand on the top like a conquering hero, the climb eventually runs out of elevation. 

Approaching the peak.

On this recent visit, there were at least three summit signs waiting for me (which is a rare thing, since visitors at other mountains that i went to often take these signs home like souvenirs).  

On the summit.

The descent is also steep, but quick.  Once back at Strawberry Saddle, there are other options, such as adding Mount Lawlor, going to Strawberry Potrero, or even continuing to Josephine Peak after leaving the summit. 

Dropping down to Peak 5166.

I planned to give each peak its own day, so I headed back the way I came.  However, before going all the way back down, I veered off the trail a bit to visit a side peak, Peak 5166.  This is the visible high point in between Red Box and Mt Lawlor.  Therefore, I turned it into a double peak visit.

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