The northwest corner of Joshua Tree National Park is crossed by a labyrinth of steep mountains, deep canyons and sandy washes. Eureka Peak (5,518’) - Joshua Tree’s 5th tallest – stands above all others in this area with remarkable panoramas of the Little San Bernadino Mountains, Mt San Jacinto, Mt San Gorgonio and Coachella Valley. A network of trails – some clearly labeled on maps and others not - emanate from Black Rock Campground with eventual connections to the Eureka Peak Trail. The surest route follows the California Riding and Hiking Trail (CRHT) to the Short Loop Trail, which joins the Eureka Peak Trail 1.95 miles from the trailhead.

The west side of the CRHT features archetypal Mojave Desert vegetation such as Joshua Trees, yucca and a variety of cholla

The trail runs through multiple ecozones providing visitors a holistic glance at Joshua Tree ecology

Mojave Yucca dominate the ground cover

Gambel's Quail are commonly seen on the Eureka Peak Trail and in all of Joshua Tree

The Eureka Peak Trail provides wide views of the surrounding mountain ranges

Terrain alternates between deep sand and granite rock scrambles on the way to Eureka Peak

Wonderful views of Mt San Gorgonio near the summit of Eureka Peak

A healthy Juniper tree - its berries are a food staple for the area's wildlife

Cactus grows directly out of the rock - using trapped water for moisture during dry seasons

A lone Joshua Tree greets visitors at the summit of Eureka Peak

A cluster of Joshua Trees forms a neat row adjacent to the Eureka Peak Trail

The Eureka Peak Trail provides endless 360 degree views of Joshua Tree and surrounding areas

A stand of mature Joshua Trees just off trail