Now that I've joined the world of YouTube, here are two videos from the trip.
Desert Bighorn
Panorama in the Wonderland of Rocks
Showing posts with label Joshua Tree 2007. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joshua Tree 2007. Show all posts
29 April 2007
09 April 2007
Joshua Tree Epilogue: Water
The thing that made this trip challenging was water. Although we actually found water in Smith Water Canyon, we didn't expect it, and we certainly couldn't plan on it.
This sign is presumably for summertime- we got by with about 1 gallon of water per person per day
This is what 6+ gallons of water looks like- it weighs about 50 pounds.
This is our water supply in the parking lot afterwards- about 1.5 quarts (3 pounds). There was a spare gallon in the car in case we needed it.
This sign is presumably for summertime- we got by with about 1 gallon of water per person per day
This is what 6+ gallons of water looks like- it weighs about 50 pounds.
This is our water supply in the parking lot afterwards- about 1.5 quarts (3 pounds). There was a spare gallon in the car in case we needed it.Joshua Tree: Day 4 (Post 2 of 2)
The water disappeared twice, coming back each time as we rounded a canyon corner. My theory is that it was related to the rock layers. At one section the canyon got very narrow, and consisted of hard metamorphic rock. My guess is that water percolated through the sand above until it hit this resistant layer, then bubbled to the surface.
Kevin climbing the "Crux Move". This stretch didn't look so difficult two years ago with a day pack.
Kevin in the Narrows
All too soon, we lost the water for good, and the rest of the canyon traverse was across the sandy wash.
Outside the canyon, we joined up with a marked trail again, and followed it through the desert, and up a ridge into juniper-pinyon forest before coming out at our car. Along the way Kevin was startled by a Horned Toad shaking off the sand from its body and running off the trail (my picture is the same as Kevin's, so not shown here). We made it to the car at 11:45-- plenty of time to pick up the other car, enjoy a wonderful shower, and catch our plane back to Colorado.
Kevin climbing the "Crux Move". This stretch didn't look so difficult two years ago with a day pack.
Kevin in the NarrowsAll too soon, we lost the water for good, and the rest of the canyon traverse was across the sandy wash.
Outside the canyon, we joined up with a marked trail again, and followed it through the desert, and up a ridge into juniper-pinyon forest before coming out at our car. Along the way Kevin was startled by a Horned Toad shaking off the sand from its body and running off the trail (my picture is the same as Kevin's, so not shown here). We made it to the car at 11:45-- plenty of time to pick up the other car, enjoy a wonderful shower, and catch our plane back to Colorado.
Joshua Tree: Day 4 (Post 1 of 2)
Our last day in Joshua Tree. Only about 6 miles to the second rental car, most of it off-trail. Unfortunately, we had a timetable- we estimated that we wanted to be at the car by noon to comfortably make our flight out of Palm Springs.
Dawn in Quail Valley
We lifted up what were now very light packs, and headed for Smith Water Canyon. I had hiked this a few years before as a day hike. At the time, heavy rains had filled the canyon with water, but that didn't look likely today.
Kevin enters Smith Water Canyon
Imagine my surprise when I found a hole that had been dug by some thirst animals- in the hole was actual wet mud. The surprises continued as we hiked up the canyon- thick brush, vibrant grasses, then actual puddles of water. Trees, birdsong, running water- it was just an incredibly alive, vibrant oasis of life.
Water!
Quail
Kevin is All Smiles in the Oasis of Smith Water Canyon
Dawn in Quail ValleyWe lifted up what were now very light packs, and headed for Smith Water Canyon. I had hiked this a few years before as a day hike. At the time, heavy rains had filled the canyon with water, but that didn't look likely today.
Kevin enters Smith Water CanyonImagine my surprise when I found a hole that had been dug by some thirst animals- in the hole was actual wet mud. The surprises continued as we hiked up the canyon- thick brush, vibrant grasses, then actual puddles of water. Trees, birdsong, running water- it was just an incredibly alive, vibrant oasis of life.
Water!
Quail
Kevin is All Smiles in the Oasis of Smith Water Canyon
Joshua Tree: Day 3
The next day dawned hot and cloudless. We got an early start on account of the coyote howl alarm clock, but you can never really start early enough when you're hiking in the desert. Early in the day, we climbed up a jumble of rocks to get some good views back at the Wonderland of Rocks that we were leaving behind- and the road we were approaching.
J-Trees and Rocks
Looking Back at the Wonderland of Rocks
Yes, a road. Our route brought us out to a parking lot filled with screaming kids, car radios, and soda pop. The strong desire to flee was shared between us, and we quickly hiked along the road a short stretch before reaching a picnic area with more people. This was a rude shock after being alone in the desert. Outside of yesterday's day hike and this short stretch near the road, we saw nobody for the rest of our hike.
As we left the picnic area behind, we entered a stretch of open desert, hot, dry, and almost free of trees. The granite of the Wonderland was replaced with lava outcroppings. And the sun just got hotter and hotter...
Lonely Tree in a Hot Desert
We had a very long lunch huddled under the shade of a solitary Joshua Tree. "OK, now we're just stalling," was the rebuke that I used to get us moving again. The unmarked trail slowly dissolved into a collection of washes and stands of long-dead trees. As we passed a small peak, we entered the place, I dubbed "Quail Valley", named after the dry spring on one valley wall. We left the fragments of the trail behind, following animal paths leading in the general direction of a canyon up ahead. At this point, I re-entered tera cognito- I had day hiked here a few years ago. Tired and hot, we dropped our packs and wandered around before finding a good spot to pitch the tent. We didn't bother pitching the tent, rather we pitched our packs on to the ground and slunk into the shade of another Joshua Tree. We hung out there for hours- reading, dozing, moving around the tree to stay in the shade.
It was late afternoon before we dared leave the shade to set up camp and go for a short hike. We climbed to some peaks on the opposite side of the canyon, climbing up into the shade and the wind.
Me atop Peak overlooking the Quail Valley
After the peak, we explored an interesting wash, finding plenty of sheep scat, but no signs of actual sheep. We did, however, disturb a flock of quail at dusk. Another long but rewarding day in the desert.
Sunset in Quail Valley
J-Trees and Rocks
Looking Back at the Wonderland of RocksYes, a road. Our route brought us out to a parking lot filled with screaming kids, car radios, and soda pop. The strong desire to flee was shared between us, and we quickly hiked along the road a short stretch before reaching a picnic area with more people. This was a rude shock after being alone in the desert. Outside of yesterday's day hike and this short stretch near the road, we saw nobody for the rest of our hike.
As we left the picnic area behind, we entered a stretch of open desert, hot, dry, and almost free of trees. The granite of the Wonderland was replaced with lava outcroppings. And the sun just got hotter and hotter...
Lonely Tree in a Hot DesertWe had a very long lunch huddled under the shade of a solitary Joshua Tree. "OK, now we're just stalling," was the rebuke that I used to get us moving again. The unmarked trail slowly dissolved into a collection of washes and stands of long-dead trees. As we passed a small peak, we entered the place, I dubbed "Quail Valley", named after the dry spring on one valley wall. We left the fragments of the trail behind, following animal paths leading in the general direction of a canyon up ahead. At this point, I re-entered tera cognito- I had day hiked here a few years ago. Tired and hot, we dropped our packs and wandered around before finding a good spot to pitch the tent. We didn't bother pitching the tent, rather we pitched our packs on to the ground and slunk into the shade of another Joshua Tree. We hung out there for hours- reading, dozing, moving around the tree to stay in the shade.
It was late afternoon before we dared leave the shade to set up camp and go for a short hike. We climbed to some peaks on the opposite side of the canyon, climbing up into the shade and the wind.
Me atop Peak overlooking the Quail ValleyAfter the peak, we explored an interesting wash, finding plenty of sheep scat, but no signs of actual sheep. We did, however, disturb a flock of quail at dusk. Another long but rewarding day in the desert.
Sunset in Quail ValleyJoshua Tree Interlude: Barrel Cactus
They don't really fit into the storyline, but I took a number of interesting photos of Barrel Cactus.
Joshua Tree: Day 2 (Post 2 of 2)
We returned to camp footsore after 11+ miles of hiking (7 with enormous backpacks). Freeze-Dried Sante Fe Chicken never tasted so good. I slept great, only waking up a few times as the surrounding packs of coyotes howled at the moon and morning sun.
Joshua Tree: Day 2 (Post 1 of 2)
We awoke the next morning, and loaded up the backpacks. We left Kevin's rental car behind and headed for mine- 18 miles in the distance. The hike started with about a mile of hiking across open desert, with only an occasional Joshua Tree breaking the monotony.
Soon enough we entered the region known as the "Wonderland of Rocks", and we began our 1000 foot climb up to the plateau of Lost Horse Valley. The weather was thankfully cloudy and cool, as our packs were incredibly heavy. We even got a touch of rain.
Hiking up a Canyon Wash
Kevin by an Enormous Bloom
After the steep climb, we had a flat section across a Joshua Tree "forest". Calling it a "forest" is a bit of a misnomer, as it implies densely-packed trees and shade. Neither is present in a Joshua Tree forest. After what seemed like forever, Kevin threw his heavy pack to the ground. "I don't want to carry this anymore," he announced. He was in luck, the trail junction that was our goal for the day was only a 100 feet away. We hiked a ways off-trail, set up our camp, and just sat for awhile.
Finally rested, we decided to try to hike to Willow Hole, an oasis inside the "Wonderland". Although we didn't find any of the rumored water, we did find two groups of Desert Bighorn Sheep.
Kevin walking down the wash towards the oasis of Willow Hole
Jumping Bighorn
A Note on the Photos: Kevin and I shared tripod holes on numerous occasions. Since Kevin posted his pictures first, I've made an effort to avoid posting similar photos.
Soon enough we entered the region known as the "Wonderland of Rocks", and we began our 1000 foot climb up to the plateau of Lost Horse Valley. The weather was thankfully cloudy and cool, as our packs were incredibly heavy. We even got a touch of rain.
Hiking up a Canyon Wash
Kevin by an Enormous BloomAfter the steep climb, we had a flat section across a Joshua Tree "forest". Calling it a "forest" is a bit of a misnomer, as it implies densely-packed trees and shade. Neither is present in a Joshua Tree forest. After what seemed like forever, Kevin threw his heavy pack to the ground. "I don't want to carry this anymore," he announced. He was in luck, the trail junction that was our goal for the day was only a 100 feet away. We hiked a ways off-trail, set up our camp, and just sat for awhile.
Finally rested, we decided to try to hike to Willow Hole, an oasis inside the "Wonderland". Although we didn't find any of the rumored water, we did find two groups of Desert Bighorn Sheep.
Kevin walking down the wash towards the oasis of Willow Hole
Jumping BighornA Note on the Photos: Kevin and I shared tripod holes on numerous occasions. Since Kevin posted his pictures first, I've made an effort to avoid posting similar photos.
Joshua Tree: Day 1
After a week in Palm Springs for a conference, my friend Kevin and I rented two cars and drove up to Joshua Tree National Park. After shopping for groceries and stove fuel, we drove our cars down a sandy 4WD road to the Covington Flats trailhead. Along the way, we got some good pictures of Joshua Trees after a fire.
We then drove back out to the town of Twentynine Palms. Yes, those are storm clouds above, and it rained as we set up our camp at the Indian Cove campground. We ate an enormous amount of Mexican food in town (ask Kevin about "Señor Burrito"), before crashing for the night.
We then drove back out to the town of Twentynine Palms. Yes, those are storm clouds above, and it rained as we set up our camp at the Indian Cove campground. We ate an enormous amount of Mexican food in town (ask Kevin about "Señor Burrito"), before crashing for the night.
30 March 2007
Joshua Tree
I've been too busy at work this week to post about my Joshua Tree Backpack, but fellow backpacker Kevin hasn't had this problem. Click here for his write-up and some great pictures from our trip.
I'll be busy for another few weeks, then I should be able to start blogging again. I'll try to avoid posting pictures where I blatantly used the same tripod holes as Kevin.
I'll be busy for another few weeks, then I should be able to start blogging again. I'll try to avoid posting pictures where I blatantly used the same tripod holes as Kevin.
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