Lost Palms Oasis, Joshua Tree, California
HIKE: 7.2 miles out-and-back to Lost Palms Oasis
HOPS: La Quinta Poolside Blonde and Sharkinator White IPA at 29 Palms Inn Restaurant
The Lost Palms Oasis trail is accessible from the Cottonwood Springs Trailhead at southeastern side of Joshua Tree National Park. There are no toilets or picnic tables at the trailhead, but you can find flush toilets and facilities about .25 miles before the trailhead at the Cottonwood Springs campground. There is no cell service in the park, so be sure to grab a map from the ranger booth on your way in.
Head-shaped boulder as seen from the Lost Palms Oasis
It's an up-and-down, out-and-back trail that ends at the Lost Palms Oasis, the largest natural fan palm oasis in California. The trail is generally moderate, with a steep decline to get into the Oasis. The trail winds through the various environments of Joshua Tree, including views of sandstone boulders, ocotillo cacti (which was blooming while we were there at the end of April), and desert washes.
With a break at the Oasis, the trail took us about 3 hours to complete. It was moderately trafficked and we met several other hikers and tour groups along the trail.
HOPS: After a day in the park, we went into the town of Twenty Nine Palms to the 29 Palms Inn for dinner. The funky Inn is built around the Oasis of Mara, where the original, titular 29 palms reside. We arrived at around 8:00 and without a reservation, had to wait about 45 minutes for a table, which gave us time to lounge by the pool with the appropriate La Quinta Poolside Blonde. The bar has an excellent selection of local, desert brews plus some craft beers from the larger California region.
29 Palms Inn is located at 73950 Inn Avenue, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277.
