Home > United States > Utah > Joshua Tree Scenic Backway
Joshua Tree Scenic Backway, Utah (View Photos):
In the extreme southwest corner of Utah, Joshua trees and cholla cactus abound in what constitutes the only part of Utah that lies within the Mojave Desert. This is the northern limit of the Joshua tree habitat. Joshua trees (also known as Yucca trees) are some of the more beautiful and distinctive plants found in the American southwest. In this part of Utah, the trees have fanned out across alluvial plains. The Rugged Beaver Dam Mountains form a backdrop to these plains and impart a certain mystique to the place.
The Joshua Tree Scenic Backway is a 16-mile unpaved road a few miles north of the Arizona state line that provides access to this unique terrain. The route consists of maintained gravel & dirt road. Although rough at times, the route can be navigated with care by passenger cars. If you do not want to drive the entire 16 miles of unpaved road, an alternative would be to take the paved Old U.S. Route 91 until it intersects with the southern terminus of the Scenic Backway (this intersection is marked by a BLM sign for Woodbury Desert Study Area). At the intersection, turn onto the Scenic Backway and drive for just a couple of miles. This should be good enough to ensure access to plenty of Joshua tree scenery. Old U.S. Route 91 also provides fine Joshua tree viewing in its own right.
The Bureau of Land Management oversees this area and protects it from encroaching development. Aside from passersby, virtually no one bothers to come out here, so you will likely have the area all to yourself. The Joshua Tree Scenic Backway is easy to get to; from the I-15 in Arizona, take the exit for Old U.S. Route 91 and head north until you hit the intersection with the southern terminus of the Scenic Backway. The northern entrance to the Backway comes out further north along Old U.S. Route 91.
del.icio.us | StumbleUpon | Facebook | Google
More Photos: Page 1 > Page 2
Joshua Tree Scenic Backway, (October 2010)
Joshua Tree Scenic Backway, (October 2010)
Yucca tree and cholla cactus, Joshua Tree Scenic Backway, (October 2010)
Joshua Tree Scenic Backway, (October 2010)
Yucca tree and cholla cactus, Joshua Tree Scenic Backway, (October 2010)
Joshua Tree Scenic Backway, (October 2010)
Joshua Tree Scenic Backway, (October 2010)
Joshua Tree Scenic Backway, (October 2010)
More Photos: Page 1 > Page 2
