Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail                                                                       

See much of the variety of Mesozoic igneous rocks found in this part of Joshua Tree National Park

Map Queen Mountain 7.5'

Trail Length 3 miles, ~2 hours

Elevation Change +350 feet

Difficulty moderate

Directions Trailhead at the end of Canyon Road, 1.7 miles from intersection with Highway 62

Description The trail begins in the Triassic Twentynine Palms granite, and climbs slowly up to a small ridgeline. The ridgeline is underlain by Proterozoic gneiss, which is more resistant to weathering. The gneiss can be recognized by its relatively finer grain size and prominent south-dipping layering. Beyond the ridgeline, the trail descends toward the Oasis, crossing back into the Twentynine Palms granite, and then into an equigranular, much more quartz-rich biotite granite of unknown age. At the Oasis, note the appearance of a distinctly lighter grey, finer-grained granite, appropriately known as the Oasis granite. A careful look will be rewarded with sightings of books of silvery muscovite and crystals of deep red garnet in this granite. Return to the trailhead the same way you came.

Touch an image to learn more about rocks and geology along this trail.