So, if I have one day in Josua Tree NM next month . . .

[Keith Pitman]

What are the best opportunities for a few good photos? I've never been to Joshua Tree so it will all be new. Thanks to all.

[z_photo]

is there a photograph america newsletter on JT? good place to start if so

[Vaughn]

I remember the Jumbo Rock area being great for photographs -- if one likes rocks.

Vaughn

[Eric Leppanen]

My favorite Joshua Tree areas include the Cholla Cactus garden at sunrise (watch out for the "jumping" cholla), the round boulder at Jumbo Rocks campground, and the Hidden Valley area. I haven't digitized my shots but attached are a couple fine shots from our host QT Luong's collection (http://www.terragalleria.com/).

A fine, recently released overview (published in December 2006) from a photographer's persepctive is contained here:

http://shop.photographamerica.com/product-p/098-pdf.htm

[Michael Gordon]

Hi Keith: maybe nobody told you, but Joshua Tree was elevated from Monument to Park in 1994

One day isn't much time. You can replicate a few of the 'icon shots', or my recommendation, take a hike and find something unique. Hidden Valley, Real Hidden Valley, Barker Dam Loop, the Wonderland of Rocks... all are wonderful places to walk and find your own photographs.

[matthew blais]

There's a bunch of us meeting there for the weekend of Feb 6,7, and 8.
Per Volquartz spearheaded this gathering several years ago.
We stay at Jumbo Rocks. Here is the thread on APUG. Per's email

[Bruce Watson]

What are the best opportunities for a few good photos? I've never been to Joshua Tree so it will all be new. Thanks to all.

Hit the cholla cactus garden (see map) at sunrise. That means you drive in in the dark. It's at least 45 minutes from Twenty-Nine Palms. When done, go back toward the North Entrance, stop at White Tank campground and wander around the rocks. Then hit the Jumbo Rocks campground -- be sure to wander all the way to the back where there are some spectacular rock walls. End your day with the Barker's Dam loop trail. That'll cover you from before sunrise till after sunset.

You'll be exhausted and elated. Take lots of film, but be selective in your shots. Joshua Tree is an *extremely* target rich environment.

If you can't put that much time in it, then Jumbo Rocks and Barker's Dam. The hard part will be not stopping along the way. As good as the scenes along the road look, Jumbo Rocks and Barker's Dam are better. Some would say much better. Which will be really hard to believe. But it's true.

Oh yes, take plenty of water with you. There are *very few* places to get water in the park, and you don't want to be driving around looking for water when you have limited time for photography.