Sunrise Adventures at Joshua Tree: Chilly, Chaotic, and Completely Worth It

There’s something magical about sunrise in the desert, and every so often, I get the wild idea to wake up at an unholy hour to experience it. Occasionally, I even manage to drag my family along for the ride. On this particular morning in Joshua Tree National Park, my 4 a.m. inspiration proved to be worth the effort—though not without a few hiccups.

The Glowing Teddy Bear Cacti

Bleary-eyed but determined, we set our alarms and piled into the car for a 45-minute drive to the Cholla Cactus Garden, one of the park’s most enchanting spots. The garden is famous for the “glowing teddy bear cacti,” which, when kissed by the rising sun, transform into a golden, glowing spectacle. It’s a brief moment of desert magic before the day’s harsh sunlight takes over.

The January chill hit harder than expected. We weren’t exactly dressed for the biting cold, but the allure of the sunrise kept us motivated. Between shivering and running back to the car for warmth, we managed to capture a few amazing shots and soak in the glow. Breakfast in the car while waiting for the day to warm up felt like a small victory—cozy and satisfying after our early start.

A Heart-Shaped Rock... Or Not

With the sunrise checked off our list, I got it in my head to find a heart-shaped rock I’d read about. Armed with enthusiasm but lacking solid directions, we ended up wandering off the path entirely. Note to self: always locate the trailhead before setting out.

The boys were troopers but quickly burned through their reserves of energy and patience during my misguided detour. By the time we arrived at Hidden Valley Nature Trailhead, they were over it. Instead of hiking, they opted to play with monster trucks among the boulders at the trailhead—a win for them, if not for my original plan.

A Solo Hike and Family Feuds

D and I took turns exploring the short 0.5-mile loop at Hidden Valley. My solo hike turned into a surprisingly meditative experience—an opportunity to read about the desert’s flora and fauna, breathe deeply, and savor the quiet. Well, mostly quiet.

Ahead of me, a family argument unfolded with enough F-bombs to make the desert blush. It seemed an angsty son and his dad were hashing out their grievances mid-hike. Still, I managed to pass them with minimal awkwardness and finished the loop feeling refreshed, if slightly amused.

When it was D’s turn to hike, his experience was predictably less eventful (why am I always the magnet for drama?).

Reflecting on the Day

By mid-morning, the early wake-up was catching up with all of us. We ate lunch on the road and headed back to the RV for some much-needed rest. I couldn’t help but feel a bit sour about the morning—was it worth dragging everyone out of bed for just a few magical sunrise moments? The boys were cranky, D was short-tempered, and I felt like I’d overreached.

But later, when I asked the boys what their favorite part of Joshua Tree was, they both said, “the sunrise.”

Their answer shifted my perspective. Those few golden moments of beauty made an impression that mattered, even if the journey was chaotic.

Wrapping Up With Pastrami

We capped off the day with a splurge-worthy meal at Sherman’s Deli in town. Known for its iconic pastrami sandwiches, it didn’t disappoint. Even my gluten-free version was mouthwatering—a rare treat!

Lessons From the Desert

This adventure reminded me of the ups and downs that come with family travel. There’s always a mix of chaos and magic, but the memories we make—like seeing the glowing teddy bear cacti at sunrise—are worth it. Even when things don’t go as planned, it’s the moments we share and the stories we create that make it all worthwhile.

So here’s to more sunrises, misadventures, and deli sandwiches—because in the end, it’s all part of the journey.