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.
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?
Queen Valley Prospects Camp - Joshua Tree National Park
Hiking to Nolina Ridge, will I make it? Are those gold mines? What’s with all the wildflowers?
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.”
Red, White & Blue! (orange, purple & yellow, too) - Joshua Tree National Park
I was lucky enough to be able to spend all day Sunday in the park. My trip plan consisted of obtaining Beef Jerky at the local 7-11, icing down my Dr. Pepper and Prime, grabbing some other snacks and then heading straight to the sandy washes south of Cottonwood Springs, to look for colorful things.
What was that? Joshua Tree National Park
“What was that, way up that canyon?” are probably words you’ve said at some point. Then the trick is, find a place to safely pull off to park, so you can climb into that canyon and see what you can find.
GoPro or Go Home - Joshua Tree National Park
With the really wet weather this past winter, the rain, the snow, the “precip,” many folks were saying those magical words……super bloom.
The Sawtooth Ascent - Joshua Tree National Park
And this one seems to create a jagged, sawtooth-like set of steps that lead from the bottom of the pile up towards the right. Why haven’t I ever tried to climb those steps to see what’s on top, I asked myself.
“I dunno.”
Toys in the Desert - Joshua Tree National Park
So a few weeks ago, Joshua Tree National Park called me and said, “Hey, you haven’t been here for a while. C’mon out. Use that America the Beautiful Pass. Hike. Take some pictures. Relax. The rocks miss you.”
The Sanctuary of the Rock People - Joshua Tree National Park
I am not an anti-rockite. I like them all; small, medium and Jumbo. Igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary - they’re all good. I like to scramble on them, climb them, and get scraped and abraided on them. I especially like to photograph them. I’m a rock people.
Chasing the Light - Joshua Tree National Park
My plan was to stick around to see the moon rise and maybe get a picture, and then watch the eclipse process. But before that would happen, there were a couple hours to fill. What to do, what to do…..
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.