Full-length POV recording of a loop hike in Joshua Tree National Park, starting and ending at the trailhead on Park Boulevard at 1,210 m (3,969 ft), about 1.7 miles inside the park's west entrance. The route covers 12.7 km (7.9 mi) with 330 m (1,083 ft) of cumulative elevation gain and a high point of 1,326 m (4,350 ft) on the North View Trail. Recorded on 18 October 2024. Total time 2 hours 53 minutes, of which 2 hours 34 minutes moving. Minimal editing, so video runtime matches hike duration.
From the trailhead the route heads southeast across flat desert and open Joshua tree woodland, reaching the Maze Loop south access at km 3.4 (2.1 mi) at 1,220 m (4,003 ft). The trail then turns east into a broad sandy wash and arrives at the Maze Loop and Window Loop junction at km 4.1 (2.5 mi) at 1,223 m (4,013 ft).
Taking the Window Loop, the route climbs north through monzogranite boulder piles, rock walls and narrow canyon corridors, with Window Rock visible ahead. The Window Loop rejoins the Maze Loop at km 6.0 (3.7 mi) at 1,280 m (4,199 ft). A short out-and-back spur follows near km 6.8 (4.2 mi) before the trail eases out of the boulder section and crosses an open stretch to the North View Trail junction at km 8.0 (5.0 mi) at 1,259 m (4,132 ft).
The North View Trail forms the return leg, heading west and climbing onto a ridge, passing the West Hills Viewpoint and Copper Mountain View spur junctions and reaching the route high point at km 9.8 (6.1 mi) at 1,326 m (4,350 ft), with views north across the Morongo Basin. The trail then descends over rolling ground back to the trailhead at km 12.7 (7.9 mi).
Trail note: the Maze section is marked by cairns and the tread is faint in places. Dogs are not permitted. There is no shade and no water on the route.