In a good year, the Mojave Desert will get 100 mm of precipitation. So, plants need to fiercely compete for limited resources or develop mechanisms to survive by living on next to nothing in terms of precipitation.

The Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia) is one of those species which has mastered desert living. Its broad root system can extend up to 11 metres in its search for any moisture. If it can get settled in, a Joshua Tree can live for several hundred years in the higher elevations of the Mojave.

Legend has it that Mormon travellers in the mid-19th century used the Joshua Tree to guide them through the desert. They thought the upright arms of the tree resembled Joshua when he kept his arms out for a long time to guide the Israelites in their conquest of Canaan. Like those early Mormons, Padma and I sought out the Joshua Trees to guide us through some splendid desert walks.

We were in the Palm Springs area visiting my sister and brother-in-law, Jenni and Russ. Joseph joined us as did his friend Jenna who came from Colorado for some desert hikes.

We probably saw more tourists than Joshua Trees when we visited the national park on the second day of the new year. It’s a much-loved park and we struggled to find trails less travelled or even a parking place. But we did manage to set out on foot and come face to face with the Joshua Trees. As the sun and temperatures lowered the tourists left the park and we set out to watch the sun set on the desert and had the Boy Scout Trail all for ourselves.

On the next day we sought out another famous plant … the California Fan Palm (Washingtonia filifera). It’s the only native palm tree of California. Most of the palms of southern California and particularly Palm Springs are not native. We found a trail in Indian Canyon and followed a fan palm-lined river up to a small waterfall.