Joshua Tree in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Are YOU a Packrat?

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, December 12, 2025

1. Are YOU a Packrat? Marker

Inscription. A rodent known for its collection of unessential objects is the original "packrat." Our species is known as the desert woodrat (Neotoma lepida).

In front of you is a midden, an archeological term for a trash pile. Woodrats urinate on the objects they collect, and their urine. acts as a preservative. Packrat middens preserve objects from the past, as far back as 50,000 years. Unintentionally, these rodents have archived past cultures, ecologies, and evidence of climate change. Ongoing midden studies are offering a treasure-trove of information to archeologists, paleontologists, and paleoecologists.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities.

Location. 34° 5.716′ N, 116° 10.254′ W. Marker is in Joshua Tree, California, in San Bernardino County. It can be reached from Indian Cove Nature. Marker can be found along the Indian Cove Trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 68451 Indian Cove Nature, Twentynine Palms CA 92277, United States

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of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles,

in the Coachella Valley,

in the Peninsular Ranges,

and specifically in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Tortoise Troubles (within shouting distance of this marker); Desert Almond - Prunus fasciculata (within shouting distance of this marker); Desert Willow (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lizards for Lunch! (about 300 feet away); Jojoba - Simmondsia chinensis (about 300 feet away); Desert Bighorn Sheep (about 400 feet away); Hardships and Forced Transitions (about 700 feet away); Welcome to the Indian Cove Trail (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Joshua Tree.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, December 12, 2025

2. Are YOU a Packrat? Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 16, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 39 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 16, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.