Harvesting Juniper Berries in Freezing Cold Desert

California juniper (Juniperus californica) grows abundantly in arid terrains of southern California and northern Baja California at elevations between 2500 and 5000 feet (750 - 1500 meters). It produces berry-like cones that take nearly a year to ripen and have a history of medicinal use as well as food use by local indigenous peoples. Juniper berries are a readily available survival food when none other is found, plus they are a good source of anti-oxidants. In this video I endure a chilly morning on a windy desert mountain peak covered with a light dusting of snow and take refuge in a shallow cave before descending to the valley below to harvest juniper berries and then quench my thirst by drinking from a puddle of rain water. Follow me on Follow me on Instagram @zuberchad