A Misty Summer Morning at Covington Park

We went over to Covington Park the other summer morning and walked around amongst the grasses and trees in the fields there. Covington Park is kind of an undiscovered gem. Most people tend to go to Big Morongo Canyon Preserve next door and never make it over to Covington, but it has a lot to offer. There are the beautiful and stately Cottonwoods that turn golden in the fall, swirling grasses at your feet and plenty of birds to keep you company. Start your tour there next time and work your way back to Big Morongo Canyon Preserve along the trail that runs along the base of the hills. It makes for a very complete and enjoyable day.

Wonderland in Black and White

We got up early and went over to this area next to the turn for the Keys Ranch Tour in Hidden Valley. As soon as you make the turn, there's a large parking lot and a trail leading out to the surrounding rock formations. This is a popular area for the climbers in the winter, but today we had it all to ourselves. We wandered in and around the rocks for a couple of hours, then it started to heat up and Margie said she was a bit 'peckish' and I started thinking about coffee...

Rock Face

Wonderland of Shapes

Entrance to the Wonderland

Sphinx Rock

Sky Scratcher

Joshua Tree Paws

Off The Beaten Trail by Wonderland Ranch

I intended on walking out to The Wall Street Mill the other morning, but was side tracked when I saw the old truck off the trail by the Wonderland Ranch. We always used to bring our guests out here and get their pictures sitting in the truck. There was more of the truck in those days. Over the years, people have gradually stripped the truck down to it's bare bones, someone even sawing off the steering wheel for their collection. Some people just can leave well enough alone. Anyway... after perusing the truck, I saw a trail along the hills into a horseshoe valley which I had never explored, so I just headed off and spent the morning rambling around. I didn't get that far, but I had fun photographing the rocks, so I'll have to go back and do the whole loop next time.

Rambling Around The Rocks Near Barker Dam

I kept seeing this long slab of rock face each time I passed on the way to Barker Dam and I thought it would be fun to explore, so I got up early (you have to in Summer) and did a little rambling around there. I thought it would be easy to get over to the larger rocks on the left but the chasm between was a little more than I could manage, so will have to go back and seek an alternative route. Not to worry, there was a nice view of the valley and plenty of rocks to crawl around in. Another fun morning in Joshua Tree National Park.

The Clouds Stole The Show

We got up early and went over to an area near Split Rock, intending to hike around in the rocks and take some pics of the rock formations, but the amazing cloud displays 'stole the show' as it were. It was nice and cool up in Joshua Tree National Park, but the rocks were all in shadow, so I ended up with some nice cloud shots. In Summer, the mornings can't be beat.

A Great Afternoon of Cloud Chasing

The clouds have been out in force lately, so the other afternoon I jumped in the car and drove into Joshua Tree National Park for a look see. Here's what I found. Enjoy.

Shapely Rocks at Split Rock

I got up early and went over to an area by Split Rock where I had seen some interesting rock formations from the car as we passed by. Even though it was already getting warm at our house, it was nice and cool in the park with a slight breeze. I parked the car at the pull out just past the gates and headed straight in. I explored around and through the formations for a couple of hours. I love just getting in to all the nooks and crannies of the rocks, looking for a shaft of light here or an interesting shape there. All in all, a nice way to spend the morning.

Glove

Waves

Hole in the Rock

Spawning

Land of Shapes

An Inspiring Hike up to Inspiration Peak

I got up early the other morning and headed up to Keys View where you can hike up to Inspiration Peak. I hadn't done this hike in years and never did go all the way, so this time was determined to do the whole thing. As usual, I got on the wrong trail at the beginning, edging along the cliffs overlooking the valley below. I must have been following a coyote trail, because I realized that the real trail was probably somewhere up above me, so I clambered up to the top where I found the regular trail and continued on from there. This is a wonderful hike with great views in all directions and plenty to look at. I did it in the early morning, but it would be fun at sunset as well. I made it all the way out to the peak this time. I followed the trail back, but it seemed to peter out once you got down toward the parking lot, so I never did find out where it really starts. Try it some time. Let me know if you find where it starts

The famous tree at the edge. 

Beautiful light in the morning

Leaping out

Rocks and valley view

Lookouts

Inspiration Peak in the distance

Valley view

On the way back

A 'Vintage' Walk Along the Hidden Valley Nature Trail

We got up early to beat the crowds at Hidden Valley Nature Trail and since my regular camera is in the shop for a sensor cleaning, I decided to shoot with my I-phone. It's one of those 'freeing' and at the same time 'frustrating' experiences trying to take pictures with an I-phone. It was always jumping from photo to time-lapse, to panoramic, so I had to keep and eye on the controls whenever I wanted to take a picture. Other than that, it was fun to shoot with. The resulting pictures in color were a little bizarre, so I decided to process them as 'wet plate' images in black and white to give them a more 'vintage' look.

Hidden Valley View

Giant Rock

Joshua Trees and Rocks

My Favorite Pinyon Pine

The Rock

Rock Man

Blown Away