The California Riding and Hiking Trail stretches 37.3 miles from the Black Rock Campground in Yucca Valley to the North Entrance in Twenty Nine Palms. This multi-faceted trail passes through mountainous pinyon-juniper woodlands in the west, expansive Joshua Tree flats in the middle, and low-Mojave Desert ecotones in the east. The demanding through-hike leads deep into wilderness areas few visitors see, with fascinating ecological and geological variations every step of the way. The following pictures travel west to east:

The CRHT begins in thick Joshua Tree forests near Black Rock campground; Joshua Trees are part of the agave family

The CRHT climbs above the Joshua Tree flats of Black Rock into juniper-pinyon woodlands, considered a relic landscape

Desert tortoises inhabit semi-arid grasslands, desert canyon washes and rocky hillsides; the tortoise spends 95 percent of its time in underground burrows, making sightings extremely rare

Gambel Quail are ubiquitous in Joshua Tree, particularly in higher, food rich ecotones

After a significant climb through the mountains, the CRHT levels in Covington Flats, home to the Park's largest Joshua Trees

This Zebra Tail Lizard is one of many species found along the CRHT

Mt San Gorgonio is visible from many points on the western half of the trail

The CRHT passes through long, moderate stretches of brushy JT stands en route to Keys View Road

The western half of the CRHT sees the greatest biological diversity, including mountain lion, deer, coyote, and bighorn sheep

The 11.25 mile stretch between Upper Covington Flats and Keys View Road is the CRHT's longest segment

Juniper Flats from the CRHT

The CRHT approaches Keys View Road with sweeping views over Juniper Flats

The CRHT climbs behind Lost Horse Mountain, where the landscape changes dramatically

The CRHT drops east of Lost Horse Mountain into the diverse expanse of Queen Valley

Large monzogranite boulders dot the curious western half of Queen Valley

Beavertail Cacti signal the transition from Mojave to Colorado desert ecotones in Queen Valley

The desert expands and vegetation thins on the easterly approach to Geology Tour Road.

Coyote melon grow on ground vines in the transitional deserts of Queen Valley

The CRHT is most desolate and exposed from Geology Tour Road to Twin Tanks

Small islands of monzongranite rock at the beginning of the easternmost leg of the CRHT

Hedgehog cactus on the CRHT

After many desolate miles, cacti appear in greater numbers and diversity on the northeastern bend of the CRHT

Mound Cacti near the North Entrance Station

Coyote Melon are generally inedible, but dried shells may be used for portage

Brushy bajadas near the North Entrance Station introduce Colorado Desert vegetation such as paperbag bush and chuparosa

The CRHT ends in a wide, sandy bajada at the North Entrance Station