Hike Smith Water Canyon Loop Joshua Tree National Park, CA

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We started on the Lower Covington Trail, leaving it to enter Smith Water Canyon on the left. There are some fun little obstacles and wonderful desert scenery as we mad eour way through the canyon, past a few small trickling waterfalls, and out the north side. Rather than just head back up through Smith Water Canyon, we decided to wander through the open desert until we found a canyon that looked interesting enough to start back. I don't know if this canyon had a name, but the minor drainage had some pretty rock features, light climbing, and lush scenery (relative to Joshua Tree). The canyon started to widen, and it was difficult to follow the drainage, so we just continued through the desert until we got back to the trailhead. Fog rolled in on our visit, and I suspect it was a major contributor to why I loved this route so much.

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The start of the hike on a cloudy day, starting on the Lower Covington Trail.

We left the Lower Covington Trail to enter Smith Water Canyon.

Entering the narrow section of Smith Water Canyon.

Looking back up the canyon.

Looking back at a small obstacle.

Smith Water Canyon opens up after the narrows and gets progressively wider.

The end of the canyon, marked sort of by this pine tree.

Entering wide-open Joshua Tree desert.

Looking back up Smith Water Canyon.

Looking northwest toward more open desert, headed to find a cool-looking canyon to complete the loop.

Looking back the way we came.

Our canyon of choice. I don't know if it has a name.

Tight lush canyon.

Approaching the top of the canyon, where there isn't a clear canyon marking the route anymore.

The beautiful fog started rolling in.

Looking back down the route we had come up.

You can't see because of the fog, but my car is down there somwhere.

Last bit of flat before getting to the trailhead.

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Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!