From here it looks like a nice and easy hike across this valley. That thought ends in about a hundred yards...
...when you run into this! Climbing down into, and then up out of this is actually the easiest way to go. During major storms, water rushes down these little gullies at amazing speed. Not a place you want to be stuck in.
Plenty of gorgeous scenery
This rock is our destination
Although there aren't very many of them remaining, the predominant petroglyphs at this site are the "barbell" looking symbols.
It's always nice when mother nature graces us with a few clouds for our photos.
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That explanation makes sense.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful area. No, would not want to be in that gully if rain threatened.
...such beauty in a dry and barren landscape.
ReplyDeletesome of them look naughty to me, but it could be just my naughty mind :)
ReplyDeleteThe petroglyphs were nice (as always with you), but mother nature beat them this time. The natural rocks in photos two and three were amazing and can really set the fantasy in motion ...
ReplyDeleteVery nice Pat, I would tend to believe the explanation your Granny gave, it sure makes sense.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos... It looks SO clear there... What was the temperature? We are having a fairly hot summer ---but the humidity here is what is so hard to take!
ReplyDeleteThe Barbell Symbols sound interesting. Did your Granny visit there at one time --or study the Petroglyphs? How NEAT.
Hugs,
Betsy
It does look beautiful. Anybody who's hiked in the American West knows that there aren't many easy paths unless somebody's made them!
ReplyDeleteIt is so beautiful there. Love those gorgeous rocks. And what a journey!
ReplyDeleteWhat a stark tangle of an environment to hike in, but beautiful. Your grandmother might have had a point- I've seen similar figures etched onto an elk hide that would have signified people.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos. As you always do, you cause me to long to be back West.
ReplyDeleteThose rocks are amazing and we saw several rock critters!
ReplyDeleteThe desert has such interesting treasures to find and petroglyphs are among the best to find!
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful and while I enjoyed the beach excursion it's nice to be back in JT! My experience with mediators is as the go -between in Union/Management negotiations and I couldn't help but wonder if the circle in the middle of the two sides was sort of the same thing way back then. Probably a war or a marriage counselor though. Always conflict of some kind.
ReplyDeleteThis last picture looks so animated - like a big turtle or other innocent giant reptile is looking at your wife. Fun stuff.
ReplyDeleteThe wild landscape and the sculpted shape of the rocks is so different from anything found near here. Quite fascinating! Are the petroglyphs scratched onto the rock face or painted with pigment of some kind? The area is so wild and remote there must be many of those petroglyphs yet to be found.
ReplyDeleteAlex - Thanks Alex. When those flash floods start, they becoming amazingly fast and powerful in a very short period of time.
ReplyDeleteTom - I totally agree Tom! I love the desert so much.
DEZMOND - You can see just about anything in these rock formations.
visualnorway - Thanks Rune! Yep, they can't last forever. When I see a gully like the one in the second photo, I'm always amazed at the power it takes to carve and move rocks as large as those. The second thing I think of is to be VERY careful. If a person broke a leg while in that spot, it would pretty much be over.
Jimmy - Thanks Jimmy! She was wise, very knowledgeable, and knew the SoCal deserts as well, or better than anybody I've ever met.
Betsy Adams - Thanks Betsy! My Granny used to spend a ton of time here in Joshua Tree and knew a couple of people who worked there. I was lucky enough to be with her for much of that time when I was a kid. It is very clear, but not quite as clear as before. Based on how my wife was dressed, I'd say it was in the high 70's to low 80's. Lately, it's been as high as 120 something.
ReplyDeleteAl - That is so true Al. Going off trail out there is no picnic. Every plant trying to either stab you, or snag you.
robin andrea -I agree Robin! I love it and feel so good when I'm there. It never fails to amaze me.
William Kendall - Stark and beautiful is a good description. That is interesting about the elk hide etchings. Thanks William.
sage - Thanks Jeff! I hope you are able to come back out here sometime.
Brian - They are amazing! The longer you look at them, the more you can see (or imagine).
ReplyDeletePat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti - The more I go there, the more I see, and the better I like it. The rock art is a great bonus!
Sallie (FullTime-Life) - I agree with you about the posts (and also in "real" life). I don't think we ever spoke about it, but most of my working life, I was on one side or other, of the Union/Management table. I was also a mediator. From what I've read, the Indians were much better at settling issues. Usually done by a tribal elder.
Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com - I thought the same thing Robyn! Like a big animated turtle!
Shammickite - The petroglyphs are scratched, pecked, or carved into the rock. Pictographs are painted. Yes, there are a ton of sites to be found out there. I know where a lot of them are, and I'm sure there are many more that I will never know about.
Hi Pat! You're right, that is a gorgeous rugged area. Great pictures. You sure know a lot about petroglyphs. I know natha but I enjoy your interpretation of them. Have you seen Newspaper Rock in southern Utah?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful place Pat!I wishcould be there..Here in Norway we have chilly nice summer..While people in elsewhere in Europe is dying of heat we have it really nice this year.Actually people immigrate from spain just to chill down in our cold mountains hihiihihih
ReplyDeleteOk have a nice summertime sweet Pat
greetings Anita
Thank you Patrick for sharing the beauty of rocks with All Seasons - really appreciate it! No prettier state than California!
ReplyDeleteHave you ever thought on going to Utah or Yellowstone Park - you would live it:)
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ReplyDeleteSandy - Thanks Sandy! I know more than most, but not nearly as much as some others. Always learning. I think I went to Newspaper Rock a long time ago. Is it right off the highway?
ReplyDeleteANITA - Thanks Anita! I wish we could have a bit of your nice chilly summer weather here right now. It is blazing hot. I will have a nice summer Anita, you do the same...
jeannettestgermain - My pleasure Jeannette! I have been to both of those places, and did love them! Hope to be back in Utah fairly soon.
Wow nice. Thanks Pat
ReplyDeleteCloudia - Right back at ya! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful series, great photos.
ReplyDeleteHi Pat, just want to let you know that your desert photos are always amazed me and fascinating.
ReplyDelete(My 91 years old mother was admitted into the hospital for infection and broken toe bone. She is waiting for surgery, so I am tight up with running back and forth!)
Be back again soon :)
I always click to enlarge your photographs so that I can see them BIG to get the full effect. As usual, outstanding photographs, Pat! The third one down looks like the face of a manatee.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting to read about the "barbell" symbols. I believe your granny as well.
What a gorgeous area of the country you live!
Thanks so much for sharing it, Pat. Always enjoyed!
Have a terrific weekend!
Great post, Pat, and wets my appetite to explore this area. Looks like a beautiful spot. Hope all is well!!
ReplyDeleteThe scenery is absolutely fabulous! I could stay out there for hours just taking pictures! I have to say, I bet your Granny knew what she was talking about.
ReplyDeleteWonderful place to tour. S much to see here.
ReplyDeleteHello, it is a gorgeous rugged area. The petroflyphs are always a neat find. I am glad you are out there hiking and finding them for us to view on your blog.
ReplyDeleteI think your granny could be right about the meaning of the barbell symbols. It makes sense to me. It is a pretty sky in the last photo. Happy weekend to you!
Yes, yes this is a truly beautiful place. I like the rock and it's huge. I hope that clouds made your hiking a little bit cooler. I couldn't take my eyes from the third picture. it's a fantastic sculpture of rocks. Nature is an amazing artist.
ReplyDeletePat, these are great pictures and I enjoyed them very much.
Best wishes to you.
A beautiful, dramatic place... you have captured it so well Pat, as always!
ReplyDeleteI think it's amazing that you find the petroglyphs on the rocks like you do. Most people would just see a large rock and not even realize there was anything on them. Such interesting symbols. I agree the countryside is gorgeous and clouds always do look pretty in scenes like those. - I also think I wouldn't want to be caught in that gully during a flash flood.
ReplyDeleteI am in the Swiss Alps at present - which is just a wee bit different from the landscape in this post.
ReplyDeleteI think I need to organise a desert trip at some time.
Cheers - Stewart M - Grindelwald, Switzerland
Bob Bushell - Thanks Bob! I appreciate you saying that.
ReplyDeleteIcy BC - Thanks for the nice words! I appreciate you taking the time to stop by while you have all that going on.
Ron - Thanks Ron! I can see manatee in their. Although a lot of people wouldn't agree, I also think it's gorgeous out here. Hope you are having a great weekend also.
Spare Parts and Pics - Thanks Pete! It's a great area with lots to see for sure. If you can wait until it cools off some, I'd love to go out there with you. If you can't, no problema!
betty-NZ - I know what you mean. You wouldn't believe how many photos I've taken there. Granny was pretty knowledgeable about that stuff.
Rajesh - It sure is Rajesh! So much to see.
Beautiful landscape and beautiful photos, Pat. Thanks for sharing your hike. There is always something new to see. Have a wonderful week.
ReplyDeleteeileeninmd - Hi Eileen! I'm really glad that you (and others) like this stuff. Hope you are having a great weekend also.
ReplyDeleteKaya - Thanks so much Kaya! It's always a mixed bag with the clouds. If it's cloudy during the summer, it doesn't always make it cooler. The best skies are during the cooler months.
Nat - It sure is Nat! Thanks so much...
Ida - I have to admit, that I've walked right by some myself. My wife has a much better eye for finding them.
Stewart M - Oh yeah, a lot different! I'm sure you will taking a million amazing photos. Enjoy the rest of your trip.
Bill Burke - Thank you Bill! Sharing is my pleasure. You also have a great week.
ReplyDeleteSuch weird and wonderful shaped rocks Pat.. I have absolute faith in your granny's theory, it's a fact that grans are always right 😀😀
ReplyDeletePerthDailyPhoto - Those shapes are maybe my favorite thing about the area. I agree with you about grannies always being right. Mine sure seemed to be. Thanks Grace!
ReplyDeletethe third image, that rock is laughing :)
ReplyDeleteNatureFootstep - HA! You are right! I didn't notice it.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing scenery! Hiking needs good preparation I'm sure. Great photos, Pat!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog and your kind comments :)
Marleen - Thanks so much for the nice words. The visit and comments were my pleasure...
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures, Pat. And so happy I wasn't there to witness them. Although it reached 82 today, it was 49 this morning.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Pal
Mike
Should Fish More - Thanks Mike! That is a huge swing in temperature in one day. Have a good week!
ReplyDeleteHi Pat, Wow, you have some great photography here. What an excellent post! I came over thanks to your kind comment on my blog. I see that I've been missing a lot. I'm your newest follower! Thanks for sharing. I'm looking forward to future posts!
ReplyDeleteJohn's Island - Thanks so much for the nice words John! I appreciate you signing on, and for taking the time to comment.
ReplyDeleteWonderful rock formations and shots.
ReplyDeleteLady Fi - Thanks so much Fiona!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous scenery indeed - a certain beauty too in that similarity of colour tone.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Pat!
Anthony J. Langford - Thanks Anthony! You are right about the colors, kind of like "desert tones."
ReplyDeleteI like your grannies theory. It is no joke about those rushing gullies after what happened in Arizona. We're going to Utah next summer! I can't wait to hike there with my camera. I bet you've been there. I know you loved Sedona, AZ.
ReplyDeleteSharon - The videos from the flash flood in AZ was darn scary! I've been to Utah a few times, but really need to get back there. I know where a lot of sites are there. Thanks Sharon!
ReplyDeleteYou always took wonderful desert photos and though it looks so barren and hot; it is also fascinating. You guys travel to many wonderful places that I could only dream about!
ReplyDeleteIcy BC - Thanks so much for the nice words. You live an amazing place yourself.
ReplyDeleteCool how the rocks look as if they were melted or dripped there. They're so smooth.
ReplyDeleteBy saying the disappearance of these people in the desert is "hinkey", do you mean suspicious and possibly not an accident?
ReplyDeleteM Pax - I agree! They may look smooth, but this kind of granite is actually fairly rough.
ReplyDeleteShammickite - Yep, that is exactly what I mean! I'm going to update that post today.
That explanation makes a lot of sense.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful day you had!
Baby Sister - It really was a great day. Granny was really sharp, and had a ton of knowledge about all things desert. Thanks Amanda!
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