Hiking Guide

Barker Dam Loop Introduction

The Barker Dam loop is an easy 1.1 mile loop with minimal elevation change of about 50 ft.¹ It is suitable for children and families and is a great way to explore flora and fauna of Joshua Tree National Park without going on a major expedition. In addition to plants and wildlife, historic western and native sites are on the loop, making this an excellent all around experience for visitors of Joshua Tree.

One thing you should not do on the Barker dam loop is to bring your barker! Dogs are not allowed on any trails in Joshua Tree National Park, and while this is extremely important on all trails, it is especially important on this loop. Watering holes are far and few between in the Joshua Tree. The Barker Dam reservoir is an essential water source for wildlife such as coyotes, rabbits, birds, and desert bighorn sheep – a federally endangered species. Even the mere presence of a dog is enough to leave a scent that can scare away wildlife and prevent them from getting what can be a life-saving drink. Surely that should be deterrent enough for decent folk. Just in case, rangers do patrol this loop and the normally easy-going rangers of the Park will issue citations for dogs on this trail!

Native Americans of the Barker Dam Loop Area

The Barker dam loop is named after an old dam built by cattlemen. Long before the dam though, Native Americans inhabited the area. Natural rainwater collection areas provided drinking water long after rains had passed. Along with the natural pools of water, wild game such as rabbits and desert bighorns provided essential nutrition for the native tribes of the area. These native groups were first the Pinto culture, and then the Chemehuevi, Serrano, and Cahuilla tribes. While not so long ago it was believed that the tribes might have only inhabited the area a few thousand years, the Park now acknowledges the Natives inhabited the area at least 5,000 years², while the tribes acknowledge the presence of their Native peoples at least 10,000 years, long before European settlers arrived in 1769.³

The Native settlers left art that is still visible today in the form of petroglyphs and pictographs. Petroglyphs are rock carvings while pictographs are rock paintings. Toward the end of the loop is an overhang with such native art. It is fun to imagine the people that made the art and what the symbols might have meant. Just be sure to not walk on or touch the perhaps ancient art, as it can be easily damaged and some art may be faded and not immediately visible.

Barker Dam

Barker dam was made by early western settlers, namely C. O. Barker, in 1900. Back then, there was more rainfall in the area and the area was used for cattle grazing, so a water source was essential. The dam was originally 9’ tall. Stone and cement were used in construction, with stone facing on the non-water filled side. The dam is approximately 150’ long with a unique indented pattern. Back in 1900, cars were an extreme rarity. Sixteen 8-day-long trips were required to haul the cement, forms, and other material from Banning, presumably by horse or mule.⁴

In 1917, Bill Keys acquired the dam along with Desert Queen in around 1917. ⁵ Keys and his family raised the dam another 6 ‘ in 1949-50 using cement.⁶ This allowed for the collection of even move rain water. In addition to drinking water, the water was also used to irrigate a small orchard and garden, and also used as a swimming hole. With less rainfall these days, and also the importance of the reservoir to local wildlife, entering the water is not allowed.

Climbers

Hidden Valley, on the Barker Dam loop, is a great source of bouldering and climbing routes for the more adventurous. For the more casual visitor, watching people scale the rocks can be great fun! While it is important to not trample vegetation and to stay on trail, there are various side trails that sprout off from the mail trail to bring you closer to the large boulders and climbing routes. Hours of fun can be had exploring Hidden Valley of the main loop trail.

Conclusion – The Barker Dam Loop has Something for Everyone

The Barker dam loop is a favorite of many Park visitors, including myself! There is so much nature and history all around! Because it is such an easy trail it is a great starting place for almost any visitor. Other nearby attractions include the Wall Street Mill, Desert Queen mine, and by reservation only Keys Ranch. One downside to the popularity of this trail is that it can be hard to find parking.…

Joshua Tree Day Hikes

Located at the west side of the Indian Cove campground is a half-mile loop trail, the Indian Cove Nature trail. This trail provides for a self-guided learning experience via unobtrusive signs describing the flora, fauna, and native american people that once inhabited the cove. The trail is fairly flat, and suitable for children, though there is one section that is a steepish decline of about 20 feet. A wheel chair wouldn’t be suited for the trail, unless, perhaps, the occupant is an experienced X-Games competitor. The overall elevation change is about 70 feet and goes through a sandy wash for a portion.

Taking in the sites and the signs is a wonderful way to become more acquainted with the mojave desert. Animals you might spot on the trail, as well as learn about from the placards, include jackrabbits, cotton tails, packrats and tortoises. On very rare occasion, you may even spot a jackalope! Among the plants you are likely to come across include silver chollas, pencil chollas and creosote bushes. Many of these plants and animals were used by native americans for food and medicine. These too are described on the placards. For example, Native Americans used creosote bush for stomach aches, a general pain killer, a diuretic, sore joints and more.

Another nice feature of this hike is the proximity of boulder piles and a desert wash. The trail is a nice transition from open desert to the boulder piles making up the northern face of the Wonderland of Rocks, a world renowned climbing mecca. Let me tell you, some of these rock piles are huge – and quite bold indeed! With hundreds of climbing routes you might see some climbers clinging to the rock walls like oversized spiders. For the adventurous, it’s an excellent entry point to a good scramble.

Like all of Joshua Tree, use caution in hotter months and bring plenty of water. Even though this is a short flat hike, there isn’t much shade so you’ll likely want to bring a hat along too!

https://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/indiancove.htm…

Easy Day Hike in Joshua Tree National Park

The Split Rock loop is 1.9 mile loop with minimal elevation gain and a well worn path making the trail a wonderful hike for almost any level of experienced hiker.  Pit toilets and picnic tables are on site in the parking lot.  The name Split Rock is derived from an enormous free-standing boulder at the beginning of the trail that has split in two.  If you are into rocks, and who isn’t?, it is a sight to behold.

Although this trail is well-used, there are enough little duck-off points to feel the breadth of nature here.  The loop is mostly without shade, but there is a small lovely juniper canopy toward the end as well as multiple rock formations large enough to shade throughout various times of early morning and late afternoon.

There is an abundance of wildlife on this trail including birds, lizards and mammals. You might see such delight as Gambel’s quail, chuckwalas, and black-tailed jack rabbits.  As always, it is important to not interfere with wildlife by feeding or pursuing.

Please note that much of the area, even very close to the trail, is undisturbed by human footsteps.  Much of the desert is held together by microbes that hold the soil together.  These microbes, in what is known as cryptobiotic crusts, are easily disturbed by human footprints.  As such, in order to keep nature intact, it is important to only travel in washes and established trails.

If you look a little too long upon the trail, you just might see some litter.  Actually, you will.  So let’s all be good sports and bring a little trash bag along and pick up a few things after the less civilized of the human race.  Happy trails!

Split Rock Loop Day Hike Photo Gallery

Split Rock Links

National Park Service Split Rock Botanical Guide

Not looking to camp? Split Rock AirBnB is a charming vacation rental with a Spa!…