When Disney met the Petroglyph: It's Complicated

Joshua Tree's Barker Dam Hike, Petroglyphs, and World Famous Crochet Museum

An unlikely desert lake is generally the high point of a hike to Barker Dam, but there’s an even more unusual sight at the end of the loop trail that you might have missed even if you’ve hiked it a few times. We’re talking petroglyphs—but there’s more to this story.

The flat, 1.25-mile loop starts next door to the Wall Street Mill trailhead near Hidden Valley. The dam it leads to was completed by Joshua Tree rancher legend William F. Keys in 1949 and now provides a rare supply of freshwater for resident fauna. It may be the best spot in the park to spot desert bighorn sheep, and probably the _only _place where you’ll see coots, mallards, grebes, and herons. Scramble up some boulders to get a better vantage point, which will also include creosote, pinyon pines, desert willows, and the small white blooms of the desert tobacco flower. After the dam, the trail descends slightly into an open flatland, dotted with Joshua trees, yucca, and a variety of cacti.

When you reach the trail junction, head straight toward a large overhanging boulder. You’ll quickly see its bold, colorful glyphs. Beautiful? Yes. Authentic? Only sort of. It seems that a Disney film crew painted over the originals in order to make them “pop” on screen for the 1961 nonclassic, Chico the Misunderstood Coyote. It’s what we now call vandalism.

As you finish the loop and return to your car, think not of Disney, but of the indigenous Cahuilla people, their culture, and what you have learned about their way of life through both trail signage and the glyphs. After all, they were here first.

BONUS ARTS: As unlikely as a desert lake is a desert museum devoted to the art of crocheting. This do-not-miss but hard-to-find haven of art—look for a small sign just east of Park Boulevard—is the Crochet Museum, adjacent to the equally interesting gallery, Art Queen, both of which are run by local Shari Elf. The variety of crocheted creations is astounding, and we can only imagine the skill it takes to create such unique pieces. The adjacent gallery and surrounding space are also a joy to explore. Say hello to the kind folks who run it. They’re anything but crotchety.

To get to the Barker Dam trailhead and parking lot, take the I-10 east to the CA-62 and after 26.7 miles, turn right onto Park Blvd. and follow it for about 14 miles to the park entrance station. Turn left onto Barker Dam Rd. and follow it 1.5 miles to the parking lot and trail. No dogs. To get to the Crochet Museum, take the CA-62 to the intersection with Park Blvd. Park on the street and find the entrance just past the Joshua Tree Saloon.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Sequoia Re-opens Crystal Cave

    Step inside Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park's hidden world by visiting the newly re-opened Crystal Cave—the only cave in the parks open to the public. Closed for four years, this rare marble karst cavern is welcoming visitors once again, but only through the summer season!

    View
  2. Afternoon on the Island

    What is it about tiny islands in the middle of lakes? There’s something that just draws you in. It’s even more fun when getting there is half the adventure because you have to reach it by canoe, kayak, paddleboat, or a ranger-guided boat tour!

    View
  3. Easiest Best Hike in the World

    Choose the easiest and most view-rewarding hike in Yosemite. Okay, we’ll go first: the combination of hiking to Sentinel Dome and Taft Point. Both of these lookouts are within a couple miles of each other on Glacier Point Road

    View
  4. Hiker in the forest at Mount Sutro in San Francisco

    San Francisco's Middle Earth

    No need to travel to New Zealand to visit Middle Earth. San Francisco’s Mount Sutro Open Space is practically Hobbiton—a hidden “shire” in the middle of the city. Okay, maybe not quite as magical, but still an incredible place to take a hike in city limits.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Locals' Feature: Jim Litchfield, Owner of Reno Fly Shop

    If there's a river, you're likely to find Jim Litchfield there. As the owner of Reno Fly Shop, Nevada's premier fly fishing outfitter and shop, Jim's passion for rivers knows no bounds: he's fished in places near and far, including Alaska, Bolivia and Christmas Island. But home is beautiful Reno, where he has been running Reno Fly Shop and leading tailored river float and fly fishing adventures (including beginner-friendly options) for over a decade.

    View
  2. Volcanic Activity

    Northern California is home to one of the most unique ecosystems in the country: Lassen Volcanic National Park. The region features geothermal areas, including the largest dome volcano in the world, Lassen Peak. Hike to the top of this active volcano on a 5-mile out-and-back.  

    View
  3. Great Is an Understatement!

    Tucked against the Utah border in eastern Nevada, Great Basin is a hiking wonderland of 13,000-foot peaks, ancient forests, sub-alpine lakes, and marbled limestone caves.

    View
  4. Lake Nacimiento
    Sponsored

    Savor Summer in Paso Robles

    Ready for the “Great California Road Trip”? Keep it real and rolling in bucolic and beautiful Paso Robles. This down- to-earth destination has everything you need to enjoy the coolest experiences.

    View