JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) — A popular hiking trail in Joshua Tree National Park in California that leads to an oasis has been temporarily closed so bighorn sheep get undisturbed access to water. The National Park Service says the park is enduring extreme drought conditions and bighorn herds in the area are increasingly reliant on Fortynine Palms Oasis spring to survive the hot summer months. The closure began June 1 and will stay in effect until summer monsoon rains provide enough to increase water availability for the bighorns. The oasis is surrounded by palm trees in mountains on park’s northern side. An estimated 100 to 200 bighorn sheep live in the park.
Joshua Tree park closes trail so bighorn sheep can get water
