Boy Scout Trail (Joshua Tree)

This moderately strenuous trail skirts through the westernmost edge of the Wonderland of Rocks, from the Indian Cove backcountry registration board through a sandy wash, climbing through steep mountains and rocky canyons as it winds toward the Keys West backcountry registration board. The trail spans a transition zone between the high and low Mojave Desert, passing through a large variety of flora, which changes noticeably about three miles into the hike to include juniper, pinyon, and oak trees. The trail levels out on a high plateau before entering an open wash, and from then on becomes intermittently rugged, alternating through narrow washes and tangles of mesquite and oak. Hikers will follow a twisting course to the top of a deep canyon and will crest the trail at 4.65 miles in, at 3,958 feet of elevation. At around 6.5 miles, desert willow, Mormon tea, creosote, and jojoba are particularly abundant. The trailhead for this 16-mile-roundtrip, moderately difficult trail, which takes one to two days to complete in entirety, is at the Indian Cove backcountry board or Keys West backcountry board, 1/2 mile east of Quail Springs Picnic area. If you plan to be out overnight, you must register at a backcountry registration board.