Joshua Tree National Park's California Riding and Hiking Trail (CRHT) stretches 37 miles from the Black Rock Campground in Yucca Valley to the Park's North Entrance Station in 29 Palms, California. The westernmost section of this storied route negotiates a maze of deep canyons and sandy washes to its highest points in Upper Covington Flat, where pinyon-juniper woodlands of the high Mojave meet the Park's oldest and densest Joshua Tree forests.

Large boulders cover the ground with Joshua Trees interspersed throughout the landscape

Some areas require passage through narrow washes

Quail inhabit this section of the California Riding and Hiking Trail

The trail leads through areas of great biodiversity

The late afternoon sun beams through a mature Joshua Tree

A Joshua Tree seems to flash the 'victory' sign - a common genetic growth pattern

The CRHT travels 37 miles through Joshua Tree - beginning at the Black Rock Campground in Yucca Valley

High peaks are visible in the distance over stands of dense juniper and Joshua trees

Juniper berries - found throughout the deserts of the southwest provide food for many species of animal

A healthy quail rests on a branch off the CRHT