While visiting Joshua Tree National Park if you’d like to see part of the San Andreas Fault, simply drive up to Keys View and have a look around. Keys View is a 20 minute drive up the Little San Bernardino Mountains. You will be at an altitude of 5,185 feet and have an amazing view of the Coachella Valley, as well as, the San Andreas Fault.
Little San Bernardino Mountains and the San Andreas Fault
There is a very easy .25 mile loop that you can stroll through to see the mountains, valley and fault from different perspectives. During our visit there was a fairly strong, cool breeze, which was an extremely welcome relief from the 103 degrees we were enduring on the other trails in the park. Unfortunately, there is an always present haze that obscures the view. At the lookout there is a sign that will tell you what mountains you are looking at in the distance. On our visit, we were able to see almost all of them.
Little San Bernardino Mountains and the San Andreas Fault
The fault lies in the valley between the two sets of mountains. To be honest, it was a little anti-climatic. I thought it was closer than it was and thought we would be peering down into a giant crevasse. Oh well! If it wasn’t for the chance to see the fault line, I’d honestly say skip it. However, we really wanted to see it and I’m glad we did….I just wouldn’t do it again if we went back.
Little San Bernardino Mountains and the San Andreas Fault
We walked the short loop, enjoyed the views and the cool breezes, then hopped back in the car to drive to the Jumbo Rocks Campground, which has the trail that includes Skull Rock. We only spent 10 minutes here. If you are short on time and are not really interested in seeing the fault line, you might want to skip it, as it will add 40 minutes of driving time to your day. However, if you are melting in the heat and want nothing more than to spend some time in an air conditioned car, it’s a nice drive up to the summit and you’ll be able to say that you ‘visited’ the San Andreas Fault. As always, wishing you happy travels and fantastic adventures in this thing called life.
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More things to see and do in Joshua Tree National Park.
Hiking Cap Rock Trail in Joshua Tree National Park
Hidden Valley Picnic Area Trail
Hiking Skull Rock Nature Trail
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The San Andreas Fault in Joshua Tree National Park
Lot of good material here keep up the good work