Boy Scout Trail

I hiked Boy Scout Trail back in March with my cousin, and I must say, it was a very fun hike! It's been on my "to do" list for literally years. One of the really cool things about the BST is I can start the hike at the trailhead deep in Joshua Tree National Park and hike right to my house! It's also great to hike with my cousin. We share many of the same passions (including hiking and photography) and really enjoy each other's company.

BST is not a loop. You can either start at the trailhead in the Park (just off Park Blvd.) and hike mostly downhill to the end of the trail in Indian Cove (which is what we're doing today). Or if you're crazy you can hike it the other direction going uphill most of the way. It's best to get dropped off at the trailhead so you don't have to worry about going back to get your car once you complete the hike. Starting at the trailhead off Park Blvd., you hike in a northerly directions toward the town of 29 Palms and Highway 62 (see map). Our hiking path is the blue line on the map. Please ignore the straight diagonal line. Not sure what that's all about, but it wasn't us!

Cousin Scott at the BST trailhead just off Park Blvd as we begin our hike. We had a rare cloudy day which was perfect for hiking and actually had some light sprinkles for a while.

For the first couple miles, the hike couldn't be simpler... straight, level trail through the Joshua Trees. Probably too small to see, but there are three ladies climbing the big rock in the middle of the photo. Look closely and you can see one standing on top of the rock.

A little clearer view of the rock climbers.

Hi, Scott!!

After a couple miles the trail starts dropping in elevation and moving in and out of rocky outcroppings. It roughly parallels the Wonderland of Rocks on your right (east). You never get too deep into the rocky Wonderland, but you get a little taste!

Gnarly, Dude!

Much of the second half of the trail follows a wash.

Left or Right?? Take your pick, I guess!!

Old livestock watering trough found along Boy Scout Trail

Cousin Scott striking a hiker's pose!

From this spot on the trail, you get a sneak peek of 29 Palms beyond the hills of JTNP

This is, in my opinion, the best view you will see from BST. It's really stunning, with the rocky mountains of Joshua Tree all around you and the town of 29 Palms off in the distance. Most of the photos from this post were taken with my iPhone because I didn't want to get my DSLR out of the backpack in the light rain we had for much of the hike. From this vista point, the trail drops steeply down into a wash. It's in this area you start to think "I never want to hike this trail in the opposite direction!!"

Looks like this wash gets a lot of water from time to time.

Nearing the end of the trail, with some nice views of 29 Palms. To complete the hike, continue to follow the trail for about a mile NE to Indian Cove Road. Scott and I will hike straight ahead, down into the wash, and follow it N/NW right to our front door. Now that's a great hike!

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Thanks for stopping by!!