Climbing Around in the Rocks Near Split Rock

This is one of my favorite areas to explore early on a Saturday morning. I park at the pull-out just past Split Rock and head in to the rocks to see what I can find. I usually, only have a couple of hours before breakfast, so I just find an area and 'work it'. I love just getting in all the little crooks and crannies of the rocks, taking my time and enjoying the cool morning air. I usually discover something new, something different I hadn't seen before. Always a treat.

A Meandering Walk to the Wall St. Mill

I wanted to show Margie this one area I discovered the other day between Wall St. Mill and Wonderland Ranch. In between, there's an old truck that we started from and walked in to this horseshoe shaped valley. We just walked along the edges seeing what was there. It's full of Pinyon Pines, Scrub Oaks and Manzanitas, a beautiful valley to just wander about. Along the way, we ran in to this foundation (complete with basement) out in the middle of a field. Not sure if it was a building or house. Did it belong to Will Bagley, who scuffled with Bill Keys... who knows. As we kept pushing along we came up over a ridge and there we were at the Wall St. Mill (which is now surrounded by barbed wire to keep the destroyers out). I didn't recognize where we were at first, until I saw the old cars under the trees. Before the barbed wire, you could get inside the mill and putter around to see how things worked. I took some photos and then we headed back across country to the car. All in all, a nice Sunday morning walk.

A 'Lave Flow' of Rock near Echo Rock

We've been doing a little exploring in the area near Echo Rock in Joshua Tree National Park lately. One morning we went straight to the east and around this large rock formation, following along the edge and came to what we call a 'lava flow' of rock. It just pours out from the rocks above creating this wonderful surface to walk on and explore all the little gullies and crevasses there. I kept going back to get more pictures and now it's one of our favorite spots to explore.

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.