Human Bones Found Near Joshua Tree National Park

For the second time in recent weeks, human skeletal remains have been found in and near Joshua Tree National Park in California.

The Hi-Desert Star reported:

JOSHUA TREE — Homicide detectives and medical examiners are investigating human bones found near Joshua Tree National Park around 11:11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 16. 

A hiker reported finding a partial human skeleton in Section 6, said Cindy Bachman, a spokeswoman for the county Sheriff’s Department. 

Section 6 is roughly a square mile of undeveloped land east of Quail Springs Road, outside the western border of the park.

Investigators will be examining the remains to determine the person's identity and the cause of death.

To read more, go here.

Joshua Tree Setting Visitation Records

Above, morning at the Cottonwood Spring Oasis. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

2016 was a record year for visitors to Joshua Tree National Park. 2017 may well surpass 2016 in visitors.

According to the Hi-Desert Star:

JOSHUA TREE — The long-eared native jackrabbits and otherworldly Joshua trees keep young Julie Engelinger and her father returning to Joshua Tree National Park. 

They’re not alone. The park set a record for annual visitation in 2016 of more than 2.5 million. If the number of visitors for the first quarter of this year is any indication, Joshua Tree will be posting another record year. 

“The community is very pleased business-wise with the increase,” said George Land, a public relations official with Joshua Tree National Park.

To read more, go here. 

Snake Season In Joshua Tree National Park

Above, the Cottonwood Campground amphitheater. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is now May and that means it's snake season!

The Hi-Desert Star has a new article on avoiding snake bites in Joshua Tree National Park.

It begins with:

MORONGO BASIN — April showers bring May flowers and May temperatures bring out the rattlesnakes. 

Rattlesnakes lay dormant in the winter, but starting around May and ending in October, they come out to enjoy the sun. Joshua Tree National Park is home to seven varieties of rattlesnake: Mojave Desert sidewinder, Colorado Desert sidewinder, speckled, Mojave green, red diamond, Southern Pacific and Western diamondback rattlesnakes. With over 2 million visitors to the park each year, George Land, public information officer for the national park, offered some information on rattlesnake safety.

To read more, go here.