Spent many wonderful weekends in and around Joshua Tree. I was stationed at 29 Palms ( Marine Corps Base), out doing "Marine stuff" and still never grew tired of the beauty and lethality of the desert. The Desert Queen Ranch tells the story before the NPS consumed the land...

https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Up-Desert-Queen-Ranch/dp/0967975603

If you have an EV, you can charge at Joshua Tree now.

Rivian's Changing the Charging Game, One Destination at a Time

If you're a fan of The Flying Burrito Brothers and Gram Parsons you can visit his memorial at Cap Rock. That's near where his manager burned his body after stealing it at LAX...

Following Parsons' death and in order to fulfill his desires, Kaufman and Martin arrived at Los Angeles International Airport in Martin's personal Cadillac Hearse impersonating mortuary workers. Under the impression that the pair had been hired by the Parsons family, Western Airlines released the body to them. They then took it to Joshua Tree and set it on fire. The burning casket was reported by campers to the local authorities, who investigated the incident and identified both perpetrators.

Parsons' body was partially cremated. His charred remains were recovered and returned to his family. Meanwhile, Kaufman and Martin were accused of grand theft and fined for burning the casket, while they also had to pay for Parsons' funeral. Parsons' remains were later buried in New Orleans at Garden of Memories on Airline Highway.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Gram_Parsons

Topo maps and a magnetic compass....and learn how to use both. Relying on sat nav can get you in trouble if it fails...

True. Coming from the tine when topo maps and magnetic compass' were the norm and having a degree in earth science, I've long been able to locate myself and follow routes on a topo much better than relying on GPS. Plus with the maps, you get a thorough idea of the extended area around your location.