Trip Date: January 17, 2020
2020 CALIFORNIA & ARIZONA ADVENTURE VACATION
Panorama Trail Loop & Warren Peak Day Hike
Black Rock Canyon
Warren Peak (5103 ft)
Warren Viewpoint
Point 5172 aka Panorama Point
Trip Report Summary
Region: California
Sub-Region: Southern California
Sub-Sub-Region: Little San Bernardino Mountains
Area: Joshua Tree National Park
Starting & Ending Point: Black Rock Ranger Station on Joshua Lane (Elev. 4000 feet)
Way Points: Black Rock Campground & Panorama Loop Trailhead & Black Rock Canyon & Panorama Loop Trail fork & Warren Peak Trail junction & Panorama Point & Panorama Loop Trail fork (trail hike)
Summit: Warren Peak (hike via Warren Peak Spur Trail)
Sidetrip: Warren Viewpoint (trail hike)
Approximate Stats: 8 miles traveled; 2000 feet gained & lost; 4.9 hours elapsed.
…
Full Trip Report
Eileen and I kicked off our Desert Southwest vacation with a hike of the Panorama Loop in Joshua Tree National Park. We started at the Black Rock Ranger Station and wandered into Black Rock Canyon on a sandy wash.
- Black Rock Canyon Trail Sign
Neither of us had ever seen a Joshua tree before, so we were quite keen to finally lay eyes on this eponymous and world-renowned botanical marvel. As it turns out, they almost defy description. Part cactus, part palm, part wooly mammoth—and existing in great abundance here in the Desert Southwest but nowhere else on earth.
- Joshua Tree In Black Rock Canyon
Early in our loop, we branched off the main trail and hiked up Warren Peak on a spur trail.
- Eileen Hiking Up Warren Peak
The summit provided nice views of the San Bernardino Mountains to the west. A little tin summit box held multiple notebooks that recorded hundreds of recent ascents by people from around the world.
- View West From Warren Peak Summit
- Warren Peak Benchmark & Register
After descending from Warren Peak and making a short sidetrip up nearby Warren Viewpoint, we continued on our counter-clockwise loop. The user-friendly trail curved us around a ridge and up to Panorama Point for more views into the northwestern corner of the park.
- View Northwest From Panorama Point
The weather had been cool and breezy during most of our hike, but by the time we dropped back down into Black Rock Canyon in late afternoon, it was getting downright cold. Well…this is January! We hustled back to the ranger station and arrived shortly before sunset (4.9 hours + 2000 feet).
Route Map
Photo Gallery
Click to enlarge…
