If you're looking for an easy, family hike without the crowds in Joshua Tree National Park, Lower Cottonwood Wash is a great choice. The hike starts 2.15 miles from the Cottonwood Visitor Center (directions below).
The trail is the wide wash. From the road, work your way down into the wash and start upstream. As you hike, look around. Depending on the recent storms, you should find several car parts and pieces along the way. Some pieces are in debris with other branches and rocks, some are partially buried in the sand. Think of it as a scavenger hunt. Maybe give each person in your group a point when they spot a piece of metal first.
About a half mile up the canyon, you'll find the remains of Moorten's Mill. In Dec. 2011, we found some tanks and other debris. Look slightly north and west and uphill. You should see a flat, graded-off-like area. Hike up there and you'll find the concrete foundation of what was likely a cabin or home that looked down on the wash.
After exploring, continue up canyon/wash. About a quarter mile away, the canyon ends at a dry fall. This is the foot of Chilcoot Pass. Just before the canyon ends, you may spot a trail sign on the left side of the canyon. There's also an old mining road of some sort. Hike up the rocky road to get about the dry fall and explore in the rocks. One note though, the Park Service asks that you don't go far, because they are concerned about contaminated mining tailing uncovered in the flood of Sept. 2011.
When you're done exploring, hike back the way you came looking for any more car parts you didn't spot on the way up canyon.
Details: The hike out and back is about 1.5 miles, but add another half mile for exploring.
Directions: From I-10, travel 25 miles east of Indio and exit on Cottonwood Springs Road. Turn north and drive about 8 miles to the Visitor Center for maps and information.
While in the area, check out the Barker Dam loop, Wall Street Mill, Lost Horse Mill, Corn Springs Oasis and a slot canyon at Anza Borrego State Park.
Want more hikes? Check out this list of great places to hike in Coalifornia and throughout the west.
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