There is a proud and one of a kind beauty to be found within California's deserts. Gorgeous mountains and rock formations. Unique plant life unlike anything you will find anywhere else in the world. For all the talk of barren wastelands, the deserts of California have a fascinating and vital wildlife all of their own, whether it be in the form of the coyote, desert shrimp, the desert tortoise.
If you have never been to California's deserts, you owe yourself the trip. These areas are a natural wonder that can only be properly experience live and in person. No description, no matter how vivid nor how powerful can stand to truly represent the magnificent awe that one feels when one first sets foot out into the wild sands of the desert.
Of all of California's deserts, the Mojave Desert is the one that has most captivated the imagination. It is in the Mojave that we find some of the most awe-inspiring stand-outs of California's deserts. Most notable of all we must of course mention Death Valley. It is a name that comes not just from poetic license but the harsh realities of the numerous deaths which have occurred here at the lowest point in all of North America. It is a harsh and bitter place that will kill mercilessly, yet can also be incredibly beautiful when seen.
Other standouts that you will find within California's deserts include the Devil's Postpile National Monument, the Mojave National Preserve and Joshua Tree National Park. The Joshua trees are another fascinating and completely unique form of wildlife that one can find here in the deserts of California. They can only be found here in California, Arizona, Utah and Nevada.
The Joshua tree first got its name from the Mormons when they first came into this southwestern region some 150 years ago. When the Mormons first saw the trees, its unique branches made them think of the prophet Joshua, with his arms upraised to the Heavens. Hence the name that they are still known by today: Joshua trees.
Mojave Desert camping is one of the best ways to experience the deserts of California. Letting yourself settle into the real nitty gritty of desert life, huddled around a campfire telling stories as you look up into the brilliantly clear starry night sky with nary a cloud in sight. Putting on sweaters as you notice the temperature has dropped significantly from the heat of the day. Going out during the morning hours to hike through all the natural beauty on display here. Mojave Desert camping truly cannot be beat. It is an unforgettable experience that you will carry with you for your entire life.
There is a magnificent, awe-inspiring, spectacular feeling that you get when exploring California's deserts. It is a place out of this world, so far removed from normal existence that you truly believe that you could have transcended the boundaries of space and time and come into a world, a plane of existence that has absolutely nothing to do with the one you left behind. It is a true wonder and an experience that should not be missed by anyone.