Thursday, November 5, 2015

Arrastra Hike, Part II

So I'm continuing where I left off with my last post (Pinto-wye-arrastra-part-1-joshua-tree). After finding the arrastra out in the middle of nowhere, I had about an hour or so of daylight left to explore the area. A bit further up the hillside from the arrastra, I noticed a small mine opening.
Turns out to be a dead end, with the mine extending only about 30 feet into the hillside. Even so, it's still fun to explore!
Below is the view from inside looking out.
After checking out the mine, I did some exploring on my hike back in the general direction towards the Jeep. It was a perfect day for hiking and photography!
The above photo is one of my favorites from the day. Can you see the hawks head looking out??
Smoking rock.


Crossed swords.
About half way back to the Jeep, this interesting rock with the holes in it caught my eye. We'll call this one Three Hole Rock. Let's take a closer look...
Two of the three holes are big enough to climb in. As I explore them, the middle hole looks like it's been camped in. I wonder about that blackness above and the the right of the middle hole. Perhaps caused by campfire soot from an old miner's fire, or even Native Americans, from many years ago?? Or is that just my imagination getting the best of me?
Here's the view from the inside the cave, looking out. A very snug and comfortable little cave, and perfect to camp in if you needed to get out of the weather.

 It's fun to name the rocks out here in Joshua Tree. I'll close this post with "Glove Rock", since it reminds me of a baseball glove!
I still have a couple more very cool surprises to share from my hike back, so will be posting "Arrastra Hike, Part III" in the near future. Thanks for stopping by!

Linking with Skywatch Friday. Click on the link to check out great skies from around the world!!
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45 comments:

  1. Arun MuthusamyNovember 5, 2015 at 4:23 PM

    Beautiful sky.

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  2. MichelleNovember 5, 2015 at 4:24 PM

    The rock formations are so artistic and the sky is just perfect. Wow.....

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  3. UnknownNovember 5, 2015 at 4:36 PM

    Beautiful landscape..love the picture that you called it "crossed swords".

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  4. magiceyeNovember 5, 2015 at 4:56 PM

    Lovely captures!

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  5. carol l mckennaNovember 5, 2015 at 5:24 PM

    Wow! What an adventure and fantastic photography ~ color, light, composition and blue sky!

    Happy Weekend to you,
    artmusedog and carol

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  6. Sylvia KNovember 5, 2015 at 5:44 PM

    Terrific captures and a fascinating place -- as always!! You do know where to find them and I'm so glad you share them with us!! Thank you!! Hope you have a great weekend!!!

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  7. StephanieNovember 5, 2015 at 5:49 PM

    Fantastic images. Love the landscape there.

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  8. uberrhundNovember 5, 2015 at 5:50 PM

    Great post, love that we get to go along in this hike through your eyes! I think you are right about the black rock marks being soot stains from campfires that burned long ago.

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  9. John @ Beans and I on the LooseNovember 5, 2015 at 5:58 PM

    Oh. you're killing me with these pictures! I wish I were there. The Alabama Hills near Lone Pine have quite a few rocks much like your Three Holer. Wonderful photos. Keep on trying to do me in. I like it.

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  10. Yogi♪♪♪November 5, 2015 at 6:17 PM

    Ah, what an adventure you had. You are not as concerned about snakes as I am.

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  11. LisaNovember 5, 2015 at 6:45 PM

    What a great place to explore! Awesome pictures.
    Lisa at Tales from the Love Shaque

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  12. Ruth HiebertNovember 5, 2015 at 7:38 PM

    You captured some amazing scenes.The various rock formations are interesting for sure.

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  13. rupam sarmaNovember 5, 2015 at 7:47 PM

    Amazing pics

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  14. DeniseinVANovember 5, 2015 at 8:11 PM

    Those skies are an incredible blue, fantastic scenery and outstand photos.

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  15. JoyfulNovember 5, 2015 at 8:55 PM

    Lovely day and some beautiful captures. I loved seeing all the caves.

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  16. IndraniNovember 5, 2015 at 9:03 PM

    Amazing rock formations. Some of them look spooky.
    Happy SWF!

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  17. Photo CacheNovember 5, 2015 at 9:48 PM

    Incredible shots!

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  18. ak_utNovember 5, 2015 at 9:58 PM

    great shots !!! happy weekend :-)

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  19. AmyNovember 5, 2015 at 10:49 PM

    What a cool spot and amazing scenery, think I would have fun there with my camera :-)

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  20. John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"November 5, 2015 at 10:58 PM

    That's certainly some impressive scenery. Impressive navigation to find that arrastra in the previous post too.

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  21. Laura~Pretty PixNovember 5, 2015 at 11:37 PM

    Such a beautiful and diverse desert. Wonderful captures... Love the rock formations!

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  22. Thomas LeeNovember 5, 2015 at 11:38 PM

    Dramatic skies and interesting rocks

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  23. GunnNovember 6, 2015 at 1:37 AM

    What an interesting and beautiful posting!

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  24. s.cNovember 6, 2015 at 1:48 AM

    Very nice pictures and the 3 holes rock looks a bit like a deformed skull in my eyes.

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  25. Billy Blue EyesNovember 6, 2015 at 1:55 AM

    Awesome photos, I love the sky's you have there and those rocks which are what I see as well though I thought three hole looked a bit like a turtle

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  26. NatureFootstepNovember 6, 2015 at 3:04 AM

    who care about skies with those rocks in front of you? I see lots of stuff in those rocks. :) Everything from faces to hands. Only limited by imagination. :)

    Thanks for sharing.

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  27. eileeninmdNovember 6, 2015 at 5:00 AM

    Hello, what a gorgeous sky, the colors are amazing. The rock formations are cool, my hubby would love the opening in the rocks. He likes to go spelunking. Awesome photos! Happy Skywatching, enjoy your weekend!

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  28. LeaNovember 6, 2015 at 5:25 AM

    Fascinating rock formations, and beautiful sky!
    Have a wonderful week-end!
    Lea

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  29. PatsyNovember 6, 2015 at 5:37 AM

    Very impressive rock formations.

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  30. Nancy ChanNovember 6, 2015 at 5:48 AM

    Beautiful sky and interesting rock formations find! Have a beautiful weekend!

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  31. Linda KayNovember 6, 2015 at 7:02 AM

    Wonderful rock formations. I would be on the outside looking in, rather than on the inside looking out!

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  32. A Colorful WorldNovember 6, 2015 at 9:06 AM

    Amazing exploration and really wonderful photos!

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  33. Bill November 6, 2015 at 11:41 AM

    Wow--- these are wonderful. I especially like the "crossed swords" and the "glove rock".

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  34. Author R. Mac WheelerNovember 6, 2015 at 12:40 PM

    ohhhh...I miss that terrain. But I'm not ready to give up my FL beaches

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  35. TexWisGirlNovember 6, 2015 at 1:53 PM

    such amazing rocks and caves. love the crossed swords!

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  36. Cathy KennedyNovember 6, 2015 at 2:28 PM

    WOW, amazing landscape and beautiful blue skies! I like your favorite picture the best, too. But, I don't see the hawk. Is it in the air? It would be so cool to visit out west someday. It's so different from the east.

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  37. KatarinaNovember 6, 2015 at 11:33 PM

    Those rocks are really interesting! Amazing shots of a fantastic landscape!

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  38. aspiritofsimplicityNovember 7, 2015 at 4:31 AM

    that is quite an interesting place.

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  39. ViolaNovember 7, 2015 at 5:22 AM

    Wow, such fascinating mountains and landscape! So uncommon to where I live.
    Beautiful rocks and so exciting with the caves!

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  40. AmyNovember 7, 2015 at 10:00 PM

    loving the photos! I'm with you I would just have to explore the caves too :-)

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  41. EG CameraGirlNovember 8, 2015 at 6:07 AM

    I would very much like to explore this area! Your photos are wonderful!

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  42. Stewart MNovember 9, 2015 at 12:11 AM

    Nice looking area - I wonder how many different names places end up with - especially in areas somewhat more visited than this.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  43. Kenneth Cole SchneiderNovember 10, 2015 at 11:55 AM

    Such interesting rock formations and beautiful skies. I would worry about venturing into one of those old mines without someone with me to call for help if necessary!

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  44. Sallie (FullTime-Life)November 10, 2015 at 10:01 PM

    It's so lovely ... The rock formations do make my imagination run rampant! Thirty feet into an unknown cave would be more than far eight for me however.

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  45. Sallie (FullTime-Life)November 10, 2015 at 10:03 PM

    ... More than far enough. Sometimes I hate my iPad.

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