"Bloody Hands" Pictograph Boulder

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"Bloody Hands" Pictograph Boulder

How to turn a short hike in J Tree into a day-long event? Hike in the Spring when the wildflowers are blooming. You'll see a spot of color off in the distance and just have to check it out. Try to get a picture of every lizard you see, they are very fast. As are the rabbits. Name the rocks as you hike through the formations. Rest in the shade of a Pinyon pine while eating crackers. Be on the lookout for abandoned cars. Inspect that old pile of mine tailings. Scramble to the top of that rock pile. And that one over there. Try to spot a bighorn sheep.

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Piano Valley Pictograph Site

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Piano Valley Pictograph Site

I was wandering around the Wonderland of Rocks, looking for pictographs and petroglyphs. That involves climbing a lot of rocks, peeking under boulders, squeezing through creosote-choked passageways, getting poked by yucca and very rarely, having a rattlesnake sound its displeasure at my presence. But it's always fun to explore in J Tree, to see what I can find. And occasionally, I find what I'm looking for, which is like icing on a cake.

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Crown Prince Lookout

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Crown Prince Lookout

Enjoy hiking? About a quarter mile west of the entrance to Jumbo Rocks campground, on the south side of Park Blvd., there are several large rocks blocking the entrance into what looks like an old jeep road that heads off into the desert. What more of an invitation do you need? There’s plenty of room to park nearby, so pull over, take a day pack with plenty of water and some snacks, and hit the trail. Plan on about four miles roundtrip, roughly 50 feet of elevation change and a wonderful time.

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On the Rocks - Comic Book Area

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On the Rocks - Comic Book Area

Just a short hike from a turnout on Barker Dam Road, is a group of giant rocks the climbers have nicknamed the "Comic Book" area. There are some amazing boulders to gaze/scramble/climb upon and while you won't find this area labeled or marked in any of the park brochures or maps, it's a great spot to spend a half day exploring. Take some snacks and drinks, there's a beautiful spot under a large Pinyon pine to sit and relax, to enjoy the desert stillness.

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On the Rocks - Lost Horse Area

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On the Rocks - Lost Horse Area

There are a lot of big rocks in what the climbing community refers to as the "Lost Horse" area, and most have very unusual names. If you like rocks, this is a great place to spend some time. The main parking area for this location is signed "Hemingway," after one of the more notable chunks of quartz monzonite that stands nearby.

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