Just after 6am, the rising sun turns the rock a peachy pink and I want to go out and take photos but it’s cold with a bitter wind so I’ll settle with the view through my window. Yet later in the day boulders surrounding Hidden Valley block the wind making it possible to explore more of Joshua Tree National Park.
The third day of my visit I’m headed to the town of Joshua Tree via many stops along the way in the park. Once again I am impressed with all the paved pull-offs to hike from or just enjoy the views. Although some of the names are rather chilling like the Hall of Horrors where magnificent boulder piles beckon, especially climbers who are many here. But the wind blows cold so my stop is brief.
Saddle Rock across the road is also a popular climbing route. In my younger years this would have appealed to me but now I contend myself to easier boulder hopping and just sitting on the sun warmed rock absorbing the earths energy.
By the time I get to Hidden Valley trailhead the sun is up high and it’s feeling warmer so I take off one layer yet bring it along on the hike. I think wearing all these layers to stay warm adds 10 pounds and an extra size. The large parking lot is 90% full and some little cars have pulled into the larger RV spaces. I don’t understand why people do that when there’s empty parking for cars.
I chatted with a lady, Lyn, I’d seen taking photos with her tripod set up close to a bush. She was trying for a Phainopepla hiding in the branches. Give her credit for hauling the tripod around as she was told to do by a photographic instructor. Guess I’m too lazy.
Towering walls of imposing boulders seem to make the other side inaccessible. Yet story has it that in 1936, only months before Joshua Tree National Monument was established by President Franklin Roosevelt, long time rancher Bill Keys blasted the opening that is used today to access excellent untouched pasture land.
Sure glad the landscape is protected now, yet I still appreciate slipping into this boulder protected valley to explore out of the wind.
I took the loop trail counter clockwise, unlike most everyone else. Seemed I’d have the sun to my back more of the walk this way which makes it easier to take photos under the high noon sun. Not the best time for photography but definitely the better time for warmth. I find it really hard to pick out just a few photos because everything was fascinating, the shape of the rock, piling of boulders, plants, and the crazy climbers.
Joshua Tree has become a world-class rock climbing location yet problems have arisen. People create their own trails trampling on vegetation, and nesting birds and archeological sites can be disturbed. Climber groups are working with the park to reduce this impact.
Hidden Valley is like a miniature world, a micro-climate of it’s own.
Even at high noon boulders provide much needed shade which during summer temperatures of at least 100F (38C) could mean the difference between life and death.
The smallest of holes and crevices collect and hold moisture that supports many plant and animal species.
The valley is a transition zone with pines, junipers and oaks living amongst the boulders while Joshua Trees and cactus occupy the desert valley floor. Food abounds here for wildlife like acorns which the Mountain Quail and chipmunks feast on in the fall. And the Pinyon Jay who helps perpetuate the Pinyon Pine by carrying seeds off miles away where it may be forgotten and germinate. The junipers are considered ‘relics’ surviving from a less arid climate of the past now confined to higher elevations and areas such as Hidden Valley.
Native human desert dwellers from the past also harvested acorns and pine nuts, the later being a most important food source. After knocking the green cones off branches they placed the cones in fire causing them to open and expose the seeds while roasting them in the process. Plus pine pitch made a good glue for waterproofing baskets and repairing clay pots.
Even the twisted and contorted skeletal shapes of the dead trees, and their shadow, add to the intricacy of this diverse landscape.
And don’t ask me why, but the combination of boulders and Joshua Trees remind me of Cartoon Town.
I was very surprised to see this lady carry Lambchop and just had to take a picture. She told me to check out instagram and sure enough it’s all over the place. I didn’t realize there’s a Lambchop following but guess it’s like ‘a collector for everything’. Does anybody remember Sherry Lewis with Lambchop?
The about one mile (1.6km) loop trail took lollygag me two hours. It’s mostly an easy level walk with only a few places to climb step-like boulders.
From Hidden Valley I headed to the town of Joshua Tree for lunch, shower at Coyote Corner, and internet.
Then drove the 23 miles (37km) back to Jumbo Rocks campground and went for a late afternoon boulder hop along a similar path as before but this time discovering yet another benchmark which seem to draw me in like a magnet.
Then as the shadows grew long temperatures quickly dropped 10-15 degrees and I happily ended the day in my warm camper only venturing out once more for a not so great, hand held shot of the almost full moon.
For the pareidolias out there, what shapes do you see in the rocks? I saw Grumpy—one of the 7 dwarves—and a dog wearing a baseball hat backwards, heads only for both.
Looks gorgy. In my 47 yrs in CA, never have gone to Joshua Tree, even when I live a short distance away in Pasadeba. I’m hankering for a Me trip. Thinking there or Death Valley, places to see in spring whole not crazy hot. Still want to hit Grand Canyon during Monsoon season. I know you previously told me north rim is great. I’ve only been to south side. When you work in big city crime fighting, a Me trip is soooo needed.
Do consider Joshua Tree but don’t wait too long or the summer heat will make it miserable. At least there’s altitude there unlike below sea level at Death Valley. Monsoon at the canyon is magic and I am biased about the North Rim where I return the end of April. “Me” trips are always good for the soul.
I could look at your photos of the park all day! Love the tree skeletons, they lend such unique angles and textures to the landscape. Yes, I remember Sherry and Lambchop, they were Saturday morning favorites 🙂 although I was unaware of the “collectors”.
It’s been so hot in Valencia, I’m glad the nights and mornings are still cool up there. Enjoy!!
Thank you Jodee. The desert really is full of texture and angles, some you don’t want to get real close to. Lambchop was such an unexpected blast from the past. Won’t be long and even the desert will be hot. Hope you can escape soon.
Funny you mentioned seeing the dog with the backwards ball cap. That’s exactly what I saw when I looked at that photo!
Lambchop, I guess that really dates us, doesn’t it?
Birds/pareidolias of a feather. 😉
Ranger Gaelyn, another wonderful post. I laughed at the sunrise shot through the blinds, nice way to make the experience more personal. Great shots and as always you provide so much “interp”.
Thanks Stephen. I actually did take a morning shot outside but wasn’t there for long as my fingers went numb.
Love the pics Gaelyn.
Thanks Joan.
Really wonderful pictures Gaelyn. Love the way you started out your day peeking at the sunrise. It is hard to get out early when the temps are so cold but then the sun later makes for difficult pictures. Yours didn’t seem to suffer though, they are so crisp and clear. I am amazed at how varied the rocks are and love that picture of the bushes leading into the trail between the rocks. It really draws me in and makes me want to climb into your photograph. As for the climbers, I’d have short patience with negotiation. Damage to archaeological sites, native vegetation or nesting birds would result in banning rock climbing in very short order if I were in charge.
Thanks Sherry. I actually did step outside briefly for a shot of that light on the boulders but thought the window shot told my story better. That opening in the boulders was extremely inviting. All the boulders are such interesting shapes. The climbers have a long history at Joshua Tree but I too would tell them NO if they can’t respect the landscape.
What a great day in this amazing country. Thanks for the great pictures and the memories.
Hidden Valley was a highlight of this visit.
I would love to just wander quietly around there on my own. My sort of place. Keep well Diane
It’s not difficult to find a place to get lost in at Joshua Tree.
Looks like a great place to visit. I’m surprised the wind was so cold. Our weather had been so warm, I wonder what happened to winter.
The first week of March came in like a lion at Joshua Tree. Days in the 50s would have been delightful without the wind. Nights were coldest for me in the 30s. It’s much warmer there now. Guess I was off by a couple weeks.
The pictures are absolutely amazing. I am so glad you are out traveling and taking pictures here in the U.S. this year. We have some fantastic scenery that just begs for your special touch.
Thank you Colleen. I’ve been enjoying these, kind of local, adventures a lot. Have a few more places in mind before heading back to the canyon the end of April.
Joshua Tree National Park looks like a stunning place. Those rocks and trees make for the perfect photos. Every time I read a post like this though I wonder how many Geocaches there are in these places.
An absolutely wonderful place for hiking and photography. Not suppose to geocache in our National Parks, but of course people do.
I’m adding another place to my bucket list. What a great place to go explore. In the Spring, Fall, or Winter. It’s been too long since I’ve gone down a desert trail.
I know you get better pics with a tripod but it is a lot of work. I use it only when I’m trying for moon pics, taking family pics where I want to be in the shot, or with my pinhole camera where the shortest shutter time is one second.
A good add, just not for summer.
After post processing some of these hand-held bracketed shots I’m beginning to see the need to use a tripod more often. With a second of shutter open you’d have no choice.