• Sunrise at the Cholla Cactus Garden

    Joshua Tree

    National Park California

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  • Pinto Basin Road Renovation

    Pinto Basin Road is being renovated. On weekdays you may encounter travel delays of up to 30 minutes. Cholla Cactus Garden is closed on weekdays. Cottonwood Visitor Center hours are 9 to 4 on weekdays, 8 to 4 weekends. More »

  • Rattlesnake Canyon Will Remain Closed Through May

    To provide additional time to mitigate the vandalism, Rattlesnake Canyon will remain completely closed to the public for another 30 days. More »

Rock Climber Sustains Head Injury in Fall

Park Rangers and local rescue personnel responded Tuesday, February 14, to a report of an injured rock climber at Joshua Tree National Park. Michael Mullen, 30, of San Diego, California, was climbing with companions on the Outer Mongolia rock formation. Mullen was on belay when he lost his footing and fell an estimated 50 feet at approximately 1 pm. He sustained a head injury, cuts and abrasions and was treated at Loma Linda Hospital.

Park emergency personnel received notice of the accident at 1:30 pm Park rangers and Joshua Tree Search and Rescue volunteers responded to the incident as well as National Park Service Fire Engine 3632, Morongo Basin Ambulance, San Bernardino County Engine 36, and the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. Sheriff's Department helicopters Air Rescue 5 and 40 King 6 also supported the rescue operation. Approximately 20 search-and-rescue personnel were involved in the incident. Park Ranger Jimmy Pritchett was Incident Commander.

Mullen received emergency treatment for his injuries and at 4 pm was taken by helicopter to Loma Linda for further medical treatment. The National Park Service advises the use of helmets for all climbing and bouldering activity in the park.

Did You Know?

Mojave Mound Cactus Bloom

With nearly 750 species of vascular plants, Joshua Tree is renowned for its plant diversity. No wonder that when the area was first proposed for preservation in the early 1930s, the name suggested was Desert Plants National Park. More...