Looking Back, Wishing Forward - Joshua Tree National Park

/ Joshua Tree National Park/

Trek Date: 2004 - 2019

If only we had known the park would be closed, for months and months, how many of us would have made every effort possible to visit before the closure. Who knows how long it will last, how long the withdrawls will plague us. But maybe it will open sooner than we think.

Edit: I started this post a couple weeks ago while JT was closed, the park reopened this past Sunday, May 17th. Yay!

My last trek out to JT was a memorable one, complete with several firsts: Two of the scouts that went along had never seen it snow in person, none of us had ever seen it snow in JT (imagine a snowball fight in JT!), or camped in such cold, dreary weather. Or been rear-ended on Pinto Basin Road. All these things, and more, happened on December 26th of 2019. If that were to be my final trip to the park, that would be ok. It was amazing. But I know the park will reopen at some point and I’ll be back out there, as there are still places I haven’t seen, trails I haven’t hiked and pictures I haven’t taken. But in the meantime, I’ve been going through some old images (having a bit of spare time now at home) and thought I would share some that haven’t been previously published. Many were taken back in the early 2000s when I would bring my scout troop to the park for camp outs. So until the park reopens, the memories will have to suffice. Thank goodness for digital cameras. In no particular order…

Dead trees offer so many photo ops, they are hard to pass by without shuttering. I believe this one is on the trail to Pine City.

This pile of rocks in the Jumbo Rocks campground area remind me of math.

A-OK? Sea Monster breaching? How many folks visit Arch Rock but never see this?

The trail to Barker Dam is perhaps one of the most scenic trails in the park, with piles of rocks, Pinyon Pines (dead and alive), huge Junipers, pictograph sites, some great vistas and during the right time of year, a beautiful lake behind the dam. And if you time it right, you can get some stunning shots during the golden hour.

Over the years, I think I’ve only seen maybe three or four of these kids in the park. Luckily, when they are out and about, they’re usually soaking up the sun and stealthy exploratographers can sometimes get pretty close to capture them. A digital capture, of course. Say cheese, Chuckwalla!

A pretty sky out by Samuelson’s Rocks.

Canis latrans, the Coyote. The name harkens back to an Aztec root, cóyotl, which means “trickster.” With no humans to leave food scraps out around their campsites for the past two months, the coyotes are probably having to work a bit harder for their meals.

Not quite sure where this one was taken, but I’m sure the rock formation has a given name.

One of the many mines in the Desert Queen Mine complex.

This stone ruin has always had an attraction for me. What was it and when was it built? Perhaps an office building for the Desert Queen Mine, or maybe a storeroom. Maybe a bunkhouse or cabin for the superintendent. I wonder if the park archives could shed some light, it would be great to see a picture of it when it was still in use.

The Desert Queen Well. Something about an old windmill just screams “take my picture!”

One of my favorite rock formations in JTree. I can remember this one from camping here as a kid, we always tried to get up into that cave but never made it.

Somewhere in the general vicinity of Twin Tanks, if you’re lucky, you’ll run across E’s Arch. There are some great formations in this area and what’s nice, it doesn’t get many visitors at all. You can spend a day wandering about here and never see another soul. Social distancing at its best!

Hiking in the desert, it’s hot and dry, maybe you didn’t pack enough water. You know where your car is, but it’s like five miles away. You start hearing voices in the wind, telling you everything will be ok, not to worry. And then things really flare up.

After miles of hiking in Fried Liver Wash, there are still miles to go.

Glowsticks. Inexpensive, yet priceless.

One of the mines in the Gold Coin Mine area. The Red Barrel Cactus were crazy in 2013, throughout this area they covered the south-facing slopes.

Here’s something visitors to the park will never see. This photo was taken in 2006, on the Wonderland Ranch property. I was always curious as to what it was for. Maybe a BBQ? Someone went to a lot of work to build the base that the metal doodad sits on. Upon later visits to the area, all that remains is the stone base. My guess is that some stupid freaking idiots decided to sit on it, or jump on it or simply rip it away, for fun.

One of my favorite JTrees in JTree. This one stands across the street from the Barber Pole, another of my favorite JTrees in JTree. This shot was taken in 2009. It got even bigger, but over the past several years a number of the branches have broken off.

A family of Joshua Trees near Squaw Tank on the Geology Tour Road. Did you know that the Joshua Tree has also been referred to as izote de desierto? The “desert dagger.”

At Jumbo Rocks Campground, this is The Marble. Back in high school, my friends and I finally found a path to the top of this formation. I don’t think I could repeat the trip today…

A gnarly old Juniper and a nice sized Red Barrel Cactus, along the trail to Pine City.

The Maze Circle, once located in the Jumbo Rocks campground vicinity, circa 2007. It’s no longer there, unless someone has recreated it. Some folks don’t like seeing these things in the park, but I always enjoy running across one.

Moon and Marble.

Moon and Rock.

Peek-a-boo. These little guys are fast, but they make tasty appetizers. Just Kidding! I’ve never been able to catch one. No! I’ve never tried, still kidding!

I’ve been out to the Pinto Wye Arrastra several times and have never met anyone either hiking in or out. It’s a great area to explore, with mines, old camp areas and some great rocks. It’s not on many published lists of places to visit in the park and there’s no parking area designated for the trails that lead into the area. Thank goodness.

And this is why, I would tell the scouts, always look where you are putting your hands and feet when you’re climbing rocks. Especially on a night hike.

A nice view from Queen Valley.

Not sure where I took this shot back in 2009, but I’ve seen other photos of it and am pretty sure the formation has a name or two from the rock climbers.

I don’t usually have much luck with sunset photos, but this one was pretty. Taken out near Squaw Tank.

Here’s one from somewhere near Jumbo Rocks.

Ok, who like Tafoni? C’mon, admit it, everyone likes tafoni. Squaw Tank area from 2013.

Yes, another shot of The Marble at Jumbo Rocks campground. This one with some pretty light.

Uncle Willie’s Window at the Wonderland Ranch. One of the coolest places to visit in the park, and less than five minutes from a parking area. Nearby caves, complete with pictographs and a bedrock mortar are right near a small dam and one of my favorite entrances into the wild country known as The Wonderland.

Bah, who needs trail maintenance when you know where you’re going and how to get back.

Just an invitation to wander.

When scouts don’t listen.

Yikes, thinner and younger. That’s almost fifteen years ago.

Barker Dam back in 2013. Thank you, Bill Keys.

Barker Dam, also from September of 2013.

An old winch at the Desert Queen Mine complex. It may have been used to help in the transport of ore from the mines on the other side of Gold Dust Canyon.

The Diamonds and Sun pictograph area. Just one of numerous such sites in the Wonderland.

Garrett’s Arch takes a bit of a hike to get to, but the scenery along the way is well worth the mileage.

One of the more recognizable rocks in the park, Headstone Rock is located in the Ryan Ranch area. This one is a favorite with rock climbers.

Reaching for the Light.

The Red Obelisk is one of the sights to see on the trail to Garrett’s Arch.

Some of the scenery at Ryan Ranch. This place has such a great history, connected with so many aspects of the park. And it’s easy to spend an entire day wandering about the area, with so many bits and pieces of things left from the time this was an operating ranch.

The Tree at Ryan Ranch.

I think this is the Lost Rocks group, but I’m not positive about the name. It’s very close to the Ryan Ranch ruins and is crazily photogenic.

One of the old cars left out at the Wall Street Mill. You have to get there early to get this parking spot.

I call it The Pyramid.

It’s amazing how the Pinyon Pines grow can grow anywhere, even at the top of a pile of rocks.

A wood water trough located below Barker Dam. Notice the rock and cement water trough behind it and the two dams behind it.

The Wonderland Ranch, aka the Pink House, aka Uncle Willie’s Health Food Store. By any name, it’s a park treasure and I hope it continues to stand for as long as I can visit the park.

Well, that’s it for this trip down photomemory lane. As always, feel free to download any of the pictures in this post for your own personal use, no charge, no fee.

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