EXPLORING JOSHUA TREE-
MOJAVE DESERT
The Mojave Desert section of the park is dominated by big piles of monzogranite boulders. A huge dry wash stretches several miles from southeast to northwest -millions of years ago it was the bed of the Pinto River. Forests of Cholla and Joshua Tree (not a tree really but a yucca) are scattered along the main road through the park. There are lots of back country Jeep roads but we didn't explore them this time.
The Monzogranite Story
Monzogranite was formed 245 million years ago when then North American plate slipped over the Pacific plate causing oceanic water to intrude under the continent. The water was hot enough to melt the underlying rock. The magma oozed into the overlying pinto gneiss and cooled slowly. As a result the crystals in the rock are pebble sized cubes. When the rocks break down it becomes a course sand that is ubiquitous through out the park.
Its rough on the hands-
hence the gloves on Pat's.
hence the gloves on Pat's.
Water played a big part in the look of these rock piles. Ground water seeped into the rocks and created fissures while they were still underground. When the layer of gneiss wore away, the granite was exposed and weathering by both wind and water created a rocky wonderland.
It is a world renown rock climbing
and bouldering destination.
and bouldering destination.
Joshua Trees!
Climate change is taking its toll- with their limited range Joshua Trees are subject to drought and rising temperatures in the Mohave desert.
Morman legend- pioneers saw the trees like Joshua of the Bible - waving them on to the promised land. That's how this Mojave Yucca got its name.
