>>1175840The Mojave is a big desert and extremely unforgiving. There's more water than in the Sonoran scattered around springs, but it's all dirty, some of it is poisonous, and it's not always accessible.
For simplicity's sake I'll assume you're going to either Death Valley or Joshua Tree. Outside of the mountains in Death Valley, there's really not much shade. I really cannot stress how massive and unforgiving the landscape is. Joshua Tree has more shade but same deal with water.
In terms of where to visit, depending on your fitness levels, if you start early in the morning you can knock Telescope Peak out before noon. It's brutal, but it can be done. The Panamint Range is my favorite part of the park - if I had to plan a 2 day trip I'd start by hitting the Stovepipe Wells automatic pass machine around 2:15 AM for your parking pass (stock up on coffee before you hit the NP), head up to Mahogany Flat Campground ; anybody in decent shape can make Arcane Meadows by that point and summit by 8. You'll be back around 11 AM-Noon, camp and chill out for the day, then early the next morning head down Charcoal Kiln Road and take Wildrose Road. About ~2 miles in you'll start to hit some fucking gnarly country that's absolutely gorgeous. Just park and explore at your leisure. While there I'd check out the Trona Pinnacles too, if only so you get to experience the first drive through the town of Trona if you don't on the way to the park. Make sure you drive through Trona without doing any research, it's an experience I'll never forget, all I'll say is it feels like you're in Fallout.
DV is cool because it's considered a backcountry park, meaning almost all hiking is assumed to be done off trail. On the one hand, it's easier to get lost, on the other, you'll find things nobody else has ever seen. I love spreading my love of the desert, so any questions post 'em here, I hang out on here pretty frequently.
