This newly designated trail reaches deep into the mid and upper Mojave Desert, a brilliant showcase of Joshua Tree National Park's rich tapestry of vegetation, terrain and wildlife. Rugged and occasionally difficult to follow, this trail is ideal for solitude and adventure seekers comfortable in the desert backcountry.

The Joshua Tree or Yucca brevifolia is a plant species belonging to the genus Yucca in the family Agavaceae

A desert bighorn sheep's last resting place - near the Fan Canyon Overlook

The trunk of a Joshua Tree is made of thousands of small fibers and lacks normal, annual growth rings - this makes it difficult to determine the tree's age

The Stubbe Springs Trail winds through dense stands of mature Joshua Trees

Paperbag Bush grows along the Stubbe Springs loop

Barren Stubbe Springs landscapes are often interrupted by dense areas of foliage

The Stubbe Springs loop is inundated with mature Joshua Trees of all shapes

Snow capped peaks loom over the Stubbe Springs loop

The Stubbe Springs trail passes through vast areas of healthy Mojave desert

Wide landscapes are the hallmark of the Stubbe Springs loop

The Fan Canyon area

Stormy skies bring much needed rain to Joshua Tree

Beaver Tail Cactus - a Joshua Tree cousin to Prickly Pear Cactus

Wildfowers line the trail as Stubbe Springs winds through what could be the nicest area of the park

The name 'Joshua tree' was given by a group of Mormon Mormon settlers in the mid-19th century - its arms reminding them of the Biblical story of Joshua reaching his arms up to pray

A Desert Tortoise walking across the desert floor - these rarely seen creatures spend 95 percent of their time underground and are federally protected