After a week of climbing in Joshua Tree, my hands were shredded, my skin dry, and my energy low—but I wasn’t ready to leave. Packing up felt premature. I wanted one last night under the stars, away from the crowds and climbing routes. So, I grabbed my daypack, stuffed it with the essentials, and hit the trail.
Joshua Tree’s backcountry makes packing light easy. All I needed was a ground sheet, sleeping pad, my Big Agnes Torchlight sleeping bag, some water, and a quick breakfast. I zipped up my pack, slammed the van door shut, and let the desert guide my footsteps.
Packing my bag to head out for one last night in Joshua Tree. Photo by Dalton Johnson
Wandering the Desert
The late afternoon light transformed the landscape into something otherworldly as I meandered across sandy trails and over boulders. A few hours later, just before sunset, I scrambled up a rock pile to find a flat spot to camp. The view was incredible—miles of open desert stretching to the horizon, scattered with Joshua trees and rock formations.
I set up my simple sleeping system: a ground sheet to protect the pad from popping, my pad for cushioning and warmth, and the Big Agnes Torchlight sleeping bag. The Torchlight is compact and easy to carry, perfect for quick overnights like this. As the desert temperatures dropped with the fading light, I crawled into the bag. The warmth wrapped around me like a hug, a welcome contrast to the crisp night air.
Finding the perfect flat rock to cowboy camp in Joshua Tree. Photo by Dalton Johnson
The Desert at Night
The desert transforms at night, with temperatures plummeting and stars igniting the sky. Cowboy camping here requires a good sleeping bag, and the Torchlight excels. It’s roomy, with adjustable zippers along the sides for customized comfort. Want more space? Unzip the sides. Want to trap warmth? Zip them tight. The large footbox is another win—cozy but not cramped.
As I lay in the bag, the chill outside felt worlds away. Gazing up, I tried to pick out constellations in the star-dotted sky. Cassiopeia’s “W” shape eventually caught my eye, a comforting reminder of how vast and magical the desert is at night. My thoughts drifted to the week of climbing I’d just wrapped up. Climbing in Joshua Tree is as much a mental challenge as a physical one, and breaking into a new trad grade had been a highlight of the trip.
A Perfect Night’s Sleep
The warmth of the Torchlight and the serenity of the desert lulled me to sleep. Unlike camping in a tent, cowboy camping offers a sense of connection to nature that’s hard to replicate. I woke only when the sun began to warm my face. It was a perfect morning.
Stretching inside the bag, I marveled at how well it had performed. No drafts, no discomfort—just uninterrupted sleep. As I fired up my Jetboil for coffee and oatmeal, I felt a deep sense of gratitude for the simplicity of this overnight. By the time I packed up and started heading back to the van, I felt refreshed and ready to return to the road.
Enjoying the sunrise in Joshua Tree. Photo by Dalton Johnson
The Big Agnes Torchlight has become my go-to bag for cowboy camping. Its adaptability, warmth, and packability make it a standout choice for desert overnights like this one. Whether you need a cozy cocoon for a cold night or extra space for a more relaxed sleep, the Torchlight has you covered.
For anyone planning a night under Joshua Tree’s stars—or anywhere else where the nights demand warmth and comfort—the Big Agnes Torchlight is worth considering.
One last night in Joshua Tree was exactly what I needed, and the Torchlight helped make it perfect.
