Joshua Tree National Park
A drive through Joshua Tree National Park might take a couple hours, viewing the park from the road. An exploration of the park would take a lifetime. Joshua Tree National Park has over 550,000 acres of wilderness filled with a variety of plants and animals that make their home in this land shaped by strong winds, unpredictable torrents of rain, and climatic extremes. Every now and then, man intrudes in this wilderness and leaves his brief, passing mark among the surreal geologic features that cover the landscape. Let’s go see what we can find.
Snow in the Desert? - Joshua Tree National Park
Yes, it can snow in Joshua Tree National Monument. And when it does, it turns the desert landscape into a magical winter wonderland. Something that if you ever get the chance to see in person, move heaven and earth to do so.
Hidden Valley Found! - Joshua Tree National Park
I pulled into a rather large parking lot near where my research had led me to believe was near an entrance to the famous “Hidden Valley” of Joshua Tree National Park.... I was determined to be the first to find the secret valley where desperado outlaws stashed their stolen cattle.
Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon - Joshua Tree National Park
It wasn’t too hot, it wasn’t too cold. It was just right, for an afternoon wander-bout amongst a few favorite spots in the park. Who could have guessed that I would See the Elephant?
The Desert isn’t Dead - Joshua Tree National Park
Back in early May, opportunity presented itself and said, “Hey, your aunt and uncle will be in Twentynine Palms for a couple days, it would be great to spend some time with them and show off your vast knowledge of neat places to visit in the park.”
The Barbed Wire Trail - Joshua Tree National Park
Once the hiking boots hit the trail, anywhere in Joshua Tree National Park, toss the game plan out the window. Oh, you may come back to it and somehow end up where you had set out to go (often with a <squirrel!> side trip that turns out to be more interesting than the original goal), or you may get lost and die alone in the unforgiving Mojave.
Stirrup Rock Afternoon - Joshua Tree National Park
The Stirrup Rock area out at JT is somewhat of a lesser known, dare I say, “secret” area in the park that doesn’t get a lot of visitors.
Across the Street from Skull Rock - Joshua Tree National Park
Skull Rock is most likely one of the most iconic attractions in the park. Who can resist stopping when those two large, eerie eyes catch your eye as you slowly drive closer and closer.
Gold Mines & Pinyon Pines - Joshua Tree National Park
Most folks who park at the Desert Queen Mine/Pine City parking area generally head off to see the mines, or maybe Eagle Cliff hideout, or out to Pine City. But being in a contrarian mood, I decided to head southeast into the ruff, to see what I could find.
Hexahedron Mine - Joshua Tree National Park
…and headed east into Fried Liver Wash. After about 100 yards, I went back to the truck and got some more water. I'd be glad later that I did.
Stone Ruins in Fried Liver Wash - Joshua Tree National Park
Ok, what I want to know is, who came up with the name "Fried Liver" wash and why? Was it some old prospector wandering down the wash, dreaming of his favorite meal?
Geology Tour Road, Revisited - Joshua Tree National Park
I can remember traveling along the bumpy road in a Dodge Dart, stopping at the points indicated while someone read the description of what we were looking at.
I Saw No Sheep - Joshua Tree National Park
I found no sheep, no gold mines or abandoned cars…… no bones, nothing but beautiful landscapes, amazing rocks with cavities, pretty skies and desert solitude.
Queen Valley Pictograph Boulder - Joshua Tree National Park
There are hundreds, if not thousands of large boulders in Queen Valley. And one looks much the same as another, so what’s the big deal?”
PC - The Boogie-Man - Joshua Tree National Park
The Boogie-man, long known to visitors of the monument, is at the edge of the main road, peeking over a rock as you pass by
Samuelson’s Rocks - Joshua Tree National Park
Chances are good that most visitors to Joshua Tree National Park have never seen them, let alone even know they exist. And of those who do set out to find this elusive and evocative site, many of them never return.
Contact Mine - Joshua Tree National Park
There are trillions and trillions of rocks at Joshua Tree National Park and I hiked over many of them on my way to the Contact Mine.
Barker Dam Nature Trail - Joshua Tree National Park
It had been over ten years since I last saw any water in Barker Dam, so when I heard reports that the recent monsoons had filled the dam up, I knew I wanted to get out and take a look.
Lucky Boy Vista - Joshua Tree National Park
Next time you’re in Joshua Tree National Park, be sure to set aside two hours and hike the “out and back” Lucky Boy Vista Trail. It’s a hike where the reward (the vista) far outweighs the price (effort expended to get there). This trail is on my Top Five list of short hikes in JT.
Diamonds & Sun Pictographs - Joshua Tree National Park
The temperature was in the high 90s and I had just finished wandering around the outskirts of the Wonderland of Rocks, so why not go hiking deeper into the Wanderland in search of a cool pictograph site?