Champion Joshua Tree

San Bernardino National Forest, California

The bizarre-looking plant known as the Joshua tree is symbolic of the Mojave desert. This particular specimen, at an elevation of 6000 feet on the north slope of the San Bernardino Mountains, is claimed to be the world's largest. It was discovered in 1967, and was measured at 14 feet 11 inches in circumference and over 32 feet in height.

Directions: As given in John W. Robinson's San Bernardino Mountain Trails (Fourth edition, 1986): Drive 3 1/2 miles northeast of Baldwin Lake on State Route 18. Turn right (southeast) onto Smarts Ranch Road (dirt) and follow it 5 1/3 miles up the valley of Arrastre Creek. About 1/4 mile past the creek crossing, you reach unmarked jeep tracks leading left (north). Park here off the road (4-wheel vehicles can drive to the tree). Walk along the jeep tracks, heading northeast, through an open forest of pinyon, juniper and Joshua. After 1/2 mile you enter groves of king-sized Joshuas. In 1 mile, just under the rocky slopes of Granite Peak, you reach the world champion, on your right just before the end of the jeep tracks. You should have no trouble identifying the tree, as it dwarfs the other large Joshuas around it.

Last visited: June 1989.

Here's another Champion Joshua Tree. This one was located in the Upper Covington Flat area of Joshua Tree National Park, but unfortunately it has collapsed since my first visit in 1991. I didn't take a photo at the time, but a photo of the standing tree can be seen in the book Joshua Tree National Park: A Visitor's Guide by Robert Cates. According to Cates, this was the largest Joshua tree in the park, and measured approximately 36 feet high and 14 feet in circumference. The photo above shows the collapsed remains as seen on my return visit in March 2011. Several giant Joshua trees, almost as large as this one was, can still be seen in the immediate area.

Directions: Upper Covington Flat is reached by a dirt road from the town of Yucca Valley; see a map of Joshua Tree National Park for exact directions. Proceed to the California Riding and Hiking Trail trailhead at the southeast end of the road; the fallen Champion Joshua Tree is about a hundred yard farther southeast along the trail.

Last visited: March 2011.

Standard disclaimer: Sites are described for entertainment purposes only, as they were at the time of my last visit. I can not vouch for the current condition of the site or its accessibility.