The sky shines cloudless and blue above the two thousand square kilometres of Joshua Tree National Park in California.

Both the fame and name of the park is derived from the innumerable and fantastic Joshua Trees that adorn its natural landscape. The southern section of the national park is influenced by the hot and arid Sonora Desert whilst in the higher altitudes of the north is the cooler Mojave Desert.

Joshua Tree was given its name in the 19th century when a group of Mormons travelled across it while travelling to San Bernardino. The branches of the trees were reminiscent to them of arms pointing up to the heavens.

Toward the end of the 19th century when the gold mines in the north of California had been stripped bare the rocks of this region suddenly created much interest. The precious metal was indeed discovered in some areas of the Little San Bernardino Mountains and for some it brought vast fortunes. But today the wealth of this region lies in its untouched wilderness and impressive beauty.