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I've never been to the other two contending parks....so cannot compare. But I have been to Bryce and Zion and they are monumental, impressive, and fun to explore....leaving one in awe of the whole damn glory of the universe.
My experiences mirror yours. Never been to the other two, but agree that Zion & Bryce are both spectacular!
Location: Really deep in the heart of South California Gender:
Posted:
Nov 8, 2009 - 5:35pm
I live about 30 miles south of Joshua Tree as the bird flies. It can get a bit snowy, and cold up there in the winter... if you hit it right. Not much more than a few inches. It doesn't last long though. We go there quite a bit. In fact, were going camping right after Thanksgiving day. If your into even a little rock climbing, it is heaven. Have you ever made "drip sand castles"? The rocks are stacked one on top of another just like that. Only much more "hugest"!
The Mojave has some interesting things to see. Mitchell Caverns is a pretty cool thing. Along with the old, newly remolded train station at Kelso. Or the "Booming Dunes" of Kelso. You can travel on part of the old Route 66 and go through the old town of Amboy. Or visit the "Devil's Playground". Lot's of lava flows! And it's close to Vegas. If you really want to lose your money.
I'll agree with Mr. Xeric... the scenery is sparser there than at Zion or Bryce. It is a lot more vast down south here though. It has it's own beauty.
—I think Zion (and Bryce) are much more accessibly impressive, if you know what I mean.
I've never been to the other two contending parks....so cannot compare. But I have been to Bryce and Zion and they are monumental, impressive, and fun to explore....leaving one in awe of the whole damn glory of the universe.
Very specific question for those who have been to some of the parks in the Southwest:
Mojave/Joshua Tree VS. Zion/Bryce Canyon ?
I have a bunch of friends, an RV, and 4 days. In mid December.
Thoughts or suggestions?
I've been to Arches and Canyonlands before, but never Zion. Never been to Joshua Tree or Mojave. We'll be leaving in/out of Las Vegas.
We can probably do one or the other. Should we go southwest or northeast? It's a conundrum.
I don't know anything BUT, one of my oldest and bestest friends and her husband own a store, I believe near the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park, and they rent and sell camping/hiking equipment and such. I'd be happy to give you their info if you'd like to give them a call.
Very specific question for those who have been to some of the parks in the Southwest:
Mojave/Joshua Tree VS. Zion/Bryce Canyon ?
I have a bunch of friends, an RV, and 4 days. In mid December.
Thoughts or suggestions?
I've been to Arches and Canyonlands before, but never Zion. Never been to Joshua Tree or Mojave. We'll be leaving in/out of Las Vegas.
We can probably do one or the other. Should we go southwest or northeast? It's a conundrum.
There are specific exceptions to this, of course, but as a general matter . . . Zion is much, much higher on the sheer-spectacle scale. Joshua tree (from what I understand) and Mojave (from what I've seen) are fascinating places, but perhaps more so to the already-confirmed desert-lover. If that's not true of your crew—especially if there are desert-country virgins among you—I think Zion (and Bryce) are much more accessibly impressive, if you know what I mean.
That said, I'd also consider leaving my options open until close enough to the actual date so that the weather forecast is better than a wild guess; the Mojave country is (even) less likely to be miserably winterish. . . .
BUT, one of my oldest and bestest friends and her husband own a store, I believe near the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park, and they rent and sell camping/hiking equipment and such. I'd be happy to give you their info if you'd like to give them a call. 
