Joshua Tree National Park

  October 7, 2025

I woke up a little before 7 a.m. and opened the window. It was hazy outside, even though I had been lying in bed for almost eight hours trying to get some rest physically, but mentally… not so much. Falling asleep has been hard lately; I think my brain was entirely awake the whole last night; it might be time for some sleeping pills.

Sleepless, I put my things together and headed down for breakfast.
Walked to my car, it was Tuesday, and everyone else seemed to be on their way to work.

I left Riverside City for Joshua Tree National Park, about an hour and forty minutes away. Stopped at Walmart for snacks and water. As I drove toward the park, Joshua trees began to appear, along with the first signs of that wide desert landscape. I entered the park at 10:04 a.m., and it was already 72°F. Surprisingly, rangers were available to answer questions; I grabbed a map and changed in the parking lot to get ready for the day.

Joshua Tree National Park sits at the meeting point of the Mojave and Colorado deserts, home to its iconic trees, dramatic rock formations, and diverse wildlife. It’s a top destination for hiking, climbing, and stargazing thanks to its night skies. The best times to visit are spring and fall, when temperatures are far more forgiving.

Looking at the map, there seemed to be so much to do.

My first hike was the Boy Scout Trail, an easy trail that splits toward Willow Hole and Campsite #7. I decided to hike about two and a half miles.
On the way back to the parking lot, I spotted a snake swallowing a lizard, slowly constricting its prey. I watched for nearly 10 minutes, fascinated by the rawness of nature. The process was slow, and I didn’t want to distract the snake from completing its mission, so I moved on.

Driving through the park, I stopped at the Hidden Valley Nature Trail loop. A sign in the parking area read “Do Not Die Today,” giving tips about mid-day heat safety. The loop was nearly a mile and a half. I spotted a few rock climbers, and the park was getting busy with visitors arriving.

Hidden Valley ended up being one of the highlights of the visit, a beautiful loop through a valley surrounded by amazing rock formations. The trail was perfectly maintained and easy to follow.

My third stop was the Cap Rock Nature Trail, just under a mile. The top boulder looks like a hat, hence the name Cap Rock. Nice formations, clearly marked paths, and a few benches to enjoy the views. Educational signs about local plants were scattered throughout, along with a large park board full of information.

Today was definitely shaping up to be a day of short hikes.

About nine miles driving from Hidden Valley, there was the fourth hike at the lookout point of Keys View, a little under half a mile. Keys View was incredible; you can see the Coachella Valley, Palm Springs, and even the Salton Sea being a clear day. There was plenty of parking, but on weekends it can be tough to find a spot because of the crowd.

On the drive back, I stopped at the Hall of Horrors Area and hiked a little over half a mile. The rock formations were too interesting to ignore. This area is almost across from Ryan Mountain. I was too tired to attempt Ryan Mountain’s three-mile round-trip, so I decided to explore other places instead.

Next was the Jumbo Rocks area, where I parked and hiked to Skull Rock via the Skull Rock Nature Trail, about two and a half miles. At Skull Rock, crowds were bouldering and taking photos everywhere. The formation truly looks like a skull, a masterpiece sculpted by nature.

Next was to continue to Heart Rock, but I drove to the Split Rock Loop Trail area. Countless trails are branching toward Desert Queen Mine and Pine City; however, I decided to rest in the car instead and recharge before my next hike at Heart Rock.

At 3:19 p.m., I began the hike to Heart Rock, about a mile each way. The trail was scenic, and I met a few people and helped swap cameras for photos. After returning to my car, I realized I had missed Arch Rock, which was on the same trail system. Finding the right path there is tricky, with lots of false trails and people wandering everywhere. I decided to go back and see it. It was worth it. I had to scramble over rocks to reach it, and I spent some time bouldering and chatting with hikers.

Some places in Joshua Tree I didn’t get to visit:

• Desert Queen Mine
• Barker Dam
• Wonderland Ranch Ruins
• Wall Street Mill

Completed almost 10 miles of hiking today. I returned to my car around 4:30, and it was time to plan the rest of the day. The next national park on my list was Death Valley. Looking at the map, I leaned toward staying in Las Vegas for the night since it was almost on the way, and it’s Las Vegas, hard to pass without stopping. I also thought it would be a good place to take a rest day, especially since I was a day ahead of schedule.

The drive to Vegas ended up being surprisingly interesting. My GPS took me through Amboy via Amboy Road, then National Trails Highway, then Kelbaker Road. The route passed through Mojave National Preserve and went through countless landmarks such as Boulder Viewpoint, Kelso Dunes, Vulcan Mine, Mitchell Caverns, Edgar Peak, all the way to the Mojave Freeway. The area was extremely remote, with no service. I could have been stranded out there; I had only about 10 miles of extra gas when I finally reached the Chevron station at Yates Well. During the entire two-and-a-half-hour drive, only one car was on the road: the one behind me, which never passed until we reached the freeway. At least I had some company.

I arrived at Oasis at Gold Spike Hotel in downtown Las Vegas at 8:15 p.m. and checked in for two nights; tomorrow would be my rest day (yay). After a much-needed shower, I walked around hoping to find a good restaurant. I realized I was in the heart of downtown, right by the Fremont Street Experience, also known as the old strip. I enjoyed the lights and walked back and forth several times, surviving the showgirls, performers wanting pictures, and the people trying to sell me every kind of ticket.

I couldn’t find a restaurant I liked, but I was starving and could not afford to be picky. I also didn’t want to drive anywhere else, so I ended up at Hennessey’s Tavern. Watching people walking through the busy street while enjoying my beer and sandwich with French fries. By nearly 11 p.m., I was exhausted. I walked straight back to the hotel, ready for what I hoped would be the best sleep.

 

Channel Islands National Park

 Oct 6th, 2025

I woke up around 6 a.m. in Santa Barbara city near West Beach, where my Airbnb was located, though, honestly, I don’t remember falling asleep. The Airbnb itself was nice, but the location was terrible. The constant noise of cars and trucks on the highway made it impossible to rest. I tried using my AirPods, but it didn’t help. It was a difficult night.

I pulled myself together and started driving toward Ventura, about 40 minutes away. My ticket to Santa Rosa Island was at 8 a.m., but I wanted to arrive as early as possible.

Arriving at Ventura Harbor Village was very easy, and there was plenty of parking. I checked in and went for a walk until boarding time at 7:45 a.m. The ferry ride was about three and a half hours, with an estimated arrival time of 10:30 a.m.

Channel Islands National Park is a collection of five islands off the coast of Southern California. My destination was Santa Rosa Island, the second-largest island, and the only one I was able to find a one-day ticket.

Leaving the harbor was very smooth. The ferry was packed; most people were heading to Santa Rosa Island, and some to San Miguel Island. There were also many campers and a large group of students going to the Santa Rosa Island Research Station.

On the ferry, I met a couple originally from Sidney, Nebraska, who now live in Denver. They were on vacation, and we had a long conversation since we had plenty of time ahead.

The time on the ferry was priceless. I enjoyed every moment: the cold ocean breeze, the wind, and the sound of the water. Then I heard the captain say, “We are about to see hundreds, maybe thousands, of dolphins coming our way.” Everyone stood up to watch. They didn’t come very close, but we could still see them. Beautiful!

The captain shared some fascinating facts about dolphins, how they must keep swimming because they are conscious breathers and use a unique form of sleep called where half the brain sleeps while the other half stays awake to keep them moving and surfacing for air. The captain was optimistic that we would see a whale, but we had no luck. The weather was cloudy but beautiful.

We arrived at the island around 10:20 a.m. After everyone disembarked, we went through a safety orientation with a park ranger, who explained the weather conditions, general island information, and the hiking trails. Day visitors, including myself, had to be back by 2 p.m. to catch the boat, though the ferry wouldn’t leave until 2:45 p.m.

The ranger recommended not hiking more than five miles, but I decided to hike to Carrington Point, which is almost 10 miles round-trip.

I have been on a few populated islands before, such as Langeoog in Germany and Adalar in Turkey. However, Santa Rosa Island was nothing like those places. It gave me the true feeling of being alone and lost in the wilderness and nature.

I started hiking a little before 11 a.m. As I walked toward my destination, I realized I was the only one on this trail, which I didn’t mind at all. I cherish seeing people on trails, but I also enjoy being far away from human activity and fully merging with nature.

The weather was excellent, with the skies clearing up. The landscape was unlike anything I had seen before: golden, swaying fields, wildflower blooms, and so many different plant species. The grasslands dominated much of the terrain. Purple wildflowers and many types of succulents covered the land, while rolling brown hills stretched toward the ocean, where pale cliffs and headlands met deep blue water. It was a peaceful, sunlit view of coastal wilderness. It truly felt heavenly.

I arrived around 11:44 a.m. at a rocky coastal cliff where the land drops sharply into the sea. The sunlight cast warm tones on the rocks. Since I was ahead of schedule, I spent about 45 minutes on the beach. The ocean scene was peaceful: deep-blue water, gentle waves, and seabirds flying overhead. The feeling was serene and airy, with a wide, open sense of space. I saw only one sea lion far in the distance, but I was still able to take a photo.

At one point, the idea came into my head to stay there, build a hut, and live there forever, maybe one day.

It was time to head back. I hiked quickly, stopping only to take a few photos of flowers that I couldn’t resist. I arrived back at the dock around 2 p.m. with about 30 minutes to spare. I went to the beach, took a 15-minute nap, walked along the shore, and enjoyed my last moments on the island. The rocks were covered with black mussels and patches of green seaweed along the sandy shoreline. My hike was 9.37 miles for 3 hours and 15 minutes.

Before boarding, I chatted with some other hikers, and everyone seemed tired and ready to leave. I was very impressed with the services of Island Packers staff; they were very professional and followed full safety standards. They even collected propane tanks from campers and stored them separately from the seating area.

On the return trip, the ferry passed by Painted Cave on Santa Cruz Island. It was beautiful and magical. About 40 minutes into the ride, the captain announced that dolphins were heading our way again. This time it was real, they swam all around us and even under the boat. It was amazing. I had never seen anything like that before. For almost 10 minutes, countless dolphins swam alongside the boat on all sides. My adrenaline was at its highest. After seeing so many incredible things on this trip, this moment was probably the best. Unfortunately, we still didn’t see a whale, even though the captain tried steering the boat in different directions.

The ride back was long, but I took a few naps and enjoyed the cool ocean breeze. Very special moments.

We arrived back on the mainland around 5:30 p.m. I didn’t know where I would stay for the night, but as usual, I started driving toward my next destination which Joshua Tree National Park, about three and a half hours away. I was very tired and planned to keep driving until I couldn’t anymore.

After about two and a half hours of driving, passing through Los Angeles, I decided to stop in Riverside, California, for one main reason: a Middle Eastern restaurant that was still open called Mandi Xpress. I hadn’t eaten good food in weeks.

I arrived at the restaurant around 8:30 p.m. The owner was from Egypt. I sat outside on the patio, ate, and enjoyed the early autumn breeze. It was a lovely night in downtown Riverside.

During the hour I spent there, I couldn’t help but overhear three women sitting nearby, who were clearly good friends. They were smoking hookah and talking about many things: dogs versus cats, buying a home versus buying land, their kids, and nephews. I felt a little jealous of their friendship and companionship.

I left the restaurant with a full and happy stomach and drove to the nearest hotel, Hampton Inn Riverside Downtown.

I checked in around 10 p.m., exhausted. It was time to get some rest.
It was a long day.

Pinnacles National Park

Oct 5th, 2025 

I woke up around 7 a.m. in Coalinga after a great night of sleep. It was extremely quiet, which was exactly what I needed.

Coalinga is an inland town in California, located about 70–100 miles from the Pacific Ocean, in the southwestern part of Fresno County near the Coastal Mountain Range, and about two hours from the coastal city of Monterey.

Breakfast was provided by the hotel. Hotel breakfasts in the U.S. are nothing like European or Middle Eastern breakfast; no yogurt, no cheese, just very basic options.

Since I was only an hour and ten minutes from the park, I decided to take the morning easy. I did my laundry and spent some time sunbathing while making phone calls to my family. The smell, weather, sunlight, and plants in this part of California reminded me of Arizona, and Arizona always reminds me of the Middle East. It brought back memories of my blog entry from White Sands National Park (May 28th, 2025).

Around 9 a.m., I finished my laundry, checked out, drove through town, stopped for gas, and headed toward Pinnacles National Park.

The drive from Coalinga to the park was beautiful, with endless rolling hills and mountains that are part of the Diablo Range. The sky was bright and cloudless, and the weather was hot and dry. Hills were covered in extremely dry grass and vegetation. This level of dryness has always felt special to me, as it reminds me of Mediterranean climates. Along the way, I saw small rural homes scattered across the landscape. The road was mostly empty, and I enjoyed the music while recording some nice videos.

I arrived at the Pinnacles National Park entrance sign at 10:24 a.m

Pinnacles National Park is a landscape of craggy volcanic rock formations, canyons, and talus caves located in the Gabilan Mountains of central California. It is well known for hiking, rock climbing, and as a release site for the endangered California condor. The park is divided into east and west sections. Popular trails and attractions include Balconies Cave Loop, Condor Gulch to High Peaks Loop, Bear Gulch Cave, and Chalone Peak Trail.

While refilling my water bottle, I met some visitors and helped them take a group photo. There were very few visitors in the park, and the weather felt like mid-summer, very hot, with not a cloud in sight.

On this trip so far, I have seen forests, mountains, snowstorms, giant trees, and experienced many different climates. I think desert heat is my favorite; it touches my soul the most.

There were many hiking options, but my goal was simply to start a trail and see where it would take me. I began my hike at the Bear Gulch Nature Center, took the Condor Gulch Trail, and continued to the High Peaks Trail.

I deeply enjoyed this midday hike through the wilderness. I met several hikers along the way, most notably a 69-year-old woman from Arkansas who had visited all U.S. national parks except one (Virgin Islands). Her husband stayed in the parking lot, but she decided to attempt the hike. We talked for a bit, then she asked me to take a photo of her with the amazing overlook before she started hiking down.

Hiking through this landscape was very special. The towering, weather-sculpted rocks rose like ancient monuments, giving the place a sense of timelessness. With the bright blue sky stretching overhead, the trails felt wide open and full of possibility. As I moved between massive boulders, narrow ridges, and sun-baked slopes dotted with hardy trees, a quiet sense of awe settled in a mix of adventure, solitude, and appreciation for the raw beauty of the earth.

After about two hours of hiking, I took the Rim Trail to Monolith Reservoir. Walking through these rocks felt like moving through a giant outdoor sculpture garden shaped by ancient volcanoes and millions of years of erosion. The rocks were huge, rounded, and looked almost soft, even though they were solid stones. They clustered together in tall spires, domes, and cliffs that looked both rough and smooth at the same time. Their warm reddish-brown color glowed in the sunlight, sometimes looking like towers, guardians, or abstract shapes from different angles. This park is also a famous destination for rock climbers of all levels. Some trails were marked for rock climbers with special instructions. Rock climbing is something I need to get into. 

I took a break by the reservoir and then followed the Moses Spring Trail back to the parking lot. By 2:45 p.m., I had hiked 7.84 miles in 3 hours and 5 minutes. By then, the parking lot had many more visitors preparing for their hikes.

One of the most fascinating things I saw for the first time was the acorn woodpecker, which drills hundreds, sometimes thousands, of small, evenly spaced holes in trees to store acorns for future food. Each hole holds exactly one acorn, and they fiercely defend these “granary trees” from other animals. Mind-blowing!!

Since I had seen most of the park, I decided this would be my last hike of the day. I drove toward the park exit, stopped at a water fountain, changed my clothes, and washed my face.

My next destination was Island Packers Cruises in Ventura, where I would be taking a ferry to Channel Islands National Park. The drive was almost four hours.

I took Highway 101 and drove through countless cities and towns. Unlike most of the remote drives I’d had so far, this highway was busy the entire way.

I took a break at Cachuma Lake Vista Point; magical and beautiful, truly stunning.

By 6:30 p.m., around sunset, I arrived in Santa Barbara. The drive through the California hills was incredible: sunset, ocean views, the moon rising, and the beauty of the rolling landscape.

After a long day, I decided to book an Airbnb and spend the night in Santa Barbara. I found a place just a few minutes’ walk from East Beach, but it took me almost 20 minutes to find it because I missed turns repeatedly. The area was very populated, with lots of stores, restaurants, and heavy traffic,  more proof that I am not a city person.

After settling in, I went out to get some food. One of the restaurants I chose was about 20  minutes away on foot. I tried to rent an electric bike, but the app didn’t work. There was an unlocked bike that worked fine, so I decided to use it.

I had a beer and food at Finney’s Crafthouse, then biked back to the Airbnb on the same bike. It was a beautiful night with moonlight, the beach, and so much life everywhere; everyone was out enjoying a sip of life.

Sequoia National Park

Oct 4th, 2025

New day, new destination. We all carry something within us that keeps us waking up each morning. And yes, there are times when we pause and ask ourselves, “Now what? Just another routine?” But that’s life. Despite the universal question of why we’re here, it always feels good to be grateful for another day of being alive, of good health, and of new adventures waiting ahead.

It got a bit windy overnight, but overall, I’d like to believe I had a fair night of sleep. My biological clock woke me around 7 a.m., as usual. I made some oats with dates, brewed a coffee, and started driving toward Sequoia National Park. The drive was only about 30 minutes. I arrived at the entry sign by 9 a.m. and stopped at a few vista points along the way, including Panoramic Point Overlook and Big Baldy Ridge.

My first hike of the day was at the General Sherman Tree Trailhead.

The General Sherman area was more complex than I expected. It includes countless trail connections to the larger Congress Trail, a popular paved loop that starts at the Sherman Tree and leads to other giant sequoias like the House and Senate groups. These main trails connect to other paths throughout the Giant Forest, such as the Big Trees Trail, which branches out into longer, more challenging routes.

I walked around the Sherman Tree but didn’t even try taking a photo with it. It was packed with people, and the line for pictures was extremely long. Instead, I continued the Congress Trail and visited the nearby famous trees and the historic Cattle Cabin, then wandered even farther for some peace away from the crowd and a chance to record some videos.

Trees visited on this hike:

The President Tree

McKinley Tree

Lincoln Tree

Cattle Cabin

Chief Sequoyah Tree

The Senate (Trees)

 

The ground and trees were still wet from the rain the night before. Steam rose from the forest floor as the morning sunlight hit the trees, especially around their bases. It was surreal, something you might only experience once in a lifetime. The enormous trunks rose like living walls, and the glowing sunlight made the air itself look alive, as though the trees were exhaling a warm breath into the cool morning air, ancient giants holding the light forever.

When I visited Redwood National Park, I was very impressed, but the trees in Sequoia are by far larger and more massive. I finished 5.67 miles in two hours. Even though I arrived early, the park was already packed, so far the busiest park on my trip, even more than Yosemite. People from all over the world come here to see General Sherman, the largest tree on Earth.

Before starting my hike, I used the bathroom, and honestly, it made me sad to see how neglected it was. The area was packed, with no rangers around to guide or enforce any regulations. I even saw people bringing dogs onto the trail despite the many signs saying, “NO DOGS,” especially due to the steep terrain. Poor pets.

My second hike started around 12:30 p.m. at the Hanging Rock and Moro Rock area, 2.57 miles in about an hour. Absolutely gorgeous. By this time, the park was at its busiest, and the weather was perfect: sunny, warm, almost no wind. Other points I checked out during this hike were the Parker Group Sequoias, Buttress Tree, and the Booker T. Washington Tree. 

At 2:10 p.m., after a short rest, I began my next hike, 1.74 miles to the Chimney Tree via the Crescent Meadow Trail. Along the way, I encountered a few deer and then a large brown bear wandering through the meadow, probably looking for food. The bear was only about 15 feet away. A family with children was quietly watching him from the trail; the mom was holding a bear horn in her hand. It was such a special moment, seeing this bear up close and wandering around. I continued the hike and ended up telling almost everyone I passed, “Bear!” 😊 It was a big moment for me!

My final hike of the day was to Sunset Rock. Anything with the word “sunset” impresses me, so this was a must. The trail was moderate and much quieter; I only encountered a few hikers. At the peak, I took a 10-minute nap; moments of reflection are always needed in this life. On the way back, I explored the Big Trees Trail area. The exhibits there were amazing, especially the one explaining why sequoias are called “sun worshipers”: their seedlings require abundant, direct sunlight to grow. Unlike many trees that thrive in shade, young sequoias need wide-open spaces free of overshadowing vegetation. I was also fascinated by a massive tree whose roots and trunk had grown around a large glacial boulder.

I finished this hike at 3.79 miles in almost an hour and a half. By now it was almost 5 p.m., and I needed to plan the rest of my day. But there was one more thing I had to see: Sequoia’s famous Tunnel Log drive-through. Even with a line of cars, it was worth it, surreal to drive through a fallen giant.

It was time to head to my next destination: Pinnacles National Park. After more research, I decided to drive there instead of going to Death Valley, even though some local hikers recommended Death Valley as the faster option. But today, I listened to myself.

The drive to Pinnacles was almost four hours. I didn’t know whether I’d camp or get a hotel. My only plan was to keep driving and decide later. I passed through Three Rivers, stopped for gas in Visalia, drove past Hanford and Lemoore, and eventually chose to stay in Coalinga, the last town before Pinnacles, about an hour and ten minutes from the park.

Even though I was tired, I enjoyed the drive with the amazing sunset, listening to my favorite poet, Mahmoud Darwish. His poem “While Waiting” played pure magic. It was a moment of nothingness and everything at once: music, poetry, sunset, and time passing slowly. I felt everything in those few minutes: sadness, happiness, anger, gratitude, and so much more.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRJJ6-GjOa1/?igsh=MTV2cWdkM2g0MHVkaQ%3D%3D 

I arrived at Best Western Plus in Coalinga around 8 p.m. The hotel was very nice and very need, not to mention I desperately needed to do laundry. After settling in, I felt like a king, and I remembered Borat’s line: “King of the castle! King of the castle! I have a chair!”. Borat is a fictional character portrayed by Sacha Baron Cohen, one of my favorite comedians of all time.
Not many restaurant options in this small town, so I ended up at Burger King.

Back at the hotel, feeling grateful, I put my head down and aimed for some well-earned sleep.