Boy Scout Trail

/ Boy Scout Trail, Joshua Tree National Park/
Boy Scout Trail

The only thing I knew about the Boy Scout Trail before today was that that the one-way distance was roughly 8 miles. And while it was on my list of undone things that I wanted to do in the park, in all honesty it was towards the bottom. But my brother somehow talked me into meeting him at the trail end near Indian Cove campground, leaving one car there and taking the other car to the trailhead inside the park  (he didn't have to try too hard, I really don't need much of an excuse to head out to J Tree for a hike) . That way we could hike the trail the easier (yes, I admit it) direction, downhill. And when we finished, drive back to pick up the other car.

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Twin Tanks

/ Twin Tanks, Joshua Tree/
Twin Tanks

I've driven by that sign on Pinto Basin Road many times over the years, and each time it's tempted me to stop and wander off into the desert in search of the elusive watering holes so-named. But up until recently, I'd never heeded the temptation; I just continued on my way, oblivious to the great hike that I was missing.

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PC - The Boogie-Man

/ Skull Rock, Joshua Tree/

PC = "Postcard"

Here's an old Frasher's Foto Postcard. I'll bet most people will recognize the "Boogie-Man" in the photo, and not from their childhood fears. I believe this picture was taken in 1947. If I had to pick the spot in J Tree that gets the most visitors, or has its picture taken the most, I think this would be it.

The BOOGIE-MAN

"The Boogie-man, long known to visitors of the monument, is at the edge of the main road, peeking over a rock as you pass by. Outcroppings of rock are scattered throughout the monument, eroded into different sizes and shapes, from an elephant to a [scull]. All are un-marked so the visitor may have the fun of picking their own imaginary shapes."

Whoever wrote that blurb got it right. Just about every rock in J Tree looks like some kind of creature, or body part, or person. The imagination runs wild in the park.

E's Arch

/ Twin Tanks, Joshua Tree National Park/
E's Arch

It doesn't take long for me to start seeing things in the rocks when I'm hiking at J Tree. Giant mushrooms, faces, animals....they all seem to morph out of rock formations in my imagination. But one of the coolest sights I came across during the day wasn't an animal or face rock, it was a small arch rock, located on the side of a little rockhill. I've decided to adopt it and make it my own; I have named it "E's Arch." It is my pleasure to present it to you now.

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Hexahedron Mine

/ Hexahedron Mine/
Hexahedron Mine

I was heading out into the backcountry of Joshua Tree, to a place I'd never been before. I drove down the Geology Tour Road to the Pleasant Valley Backcountry Board, parked my truck, got my gear together and headed east into Fried Liver Wash. After about 100 yards, I went back to the truck and got some more water. I'd be glad later that I did.

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