I went on a hike in Joshua Tree this weekend. It was called an Oasis Hike. 4 miles later you get to this little tiny oasis in the middle of the scorching 110F heat. It was amazing.
Great photos! What was the oasis like? I was recently in Tulum Mexico and I went skinny dipping in the ocean several times. There's nothing like it.
It says during rainy seasons there is more water but it was basically a super lush shady area with a bunch of palm trees in the middle of no where. It was stunning, and reminded me of those old cartoons where people imagine an oasis but there is none there. The insane heat and the fact that the oasis goes in and out of view on the way there as you hike through rocks and hills makes me believe it would be really easy to be confused about what you are/aren't seeing.