Samuelson's Rocks Part 2

Just to recap, Johann Samuelson was a Swedish prospector who was one of the most colorful and/or crazy (I suspect a bit of each) characters in the early days of what is now Joshua Tree National Park. His tall tales included being shipwrecked in Africa, taken as captive deep into the jungles by natives, surviving man-eating ants, winning the affections of a beautiful tribal princess, and discovering a huge stash of gold. You can read more at Samuelson's Rocks Part 1, or just Google "Samuelson's Rocks". It's a fascinating story!!

During his free time, Samuelson carved philosophical thoughts onto rock faces, which survive to this day. Today's post will complete the hike to Samuelson's Rocks (no trail and not easy to find). It's been a great hike so far. Highlights of last weeks "Part 1" post include an old rusty car and a collapsed desert homestead cabin complete with basement!

In the photo above, we are approaching what I will call "Samuelson's Hill" (arrow). There are reportedly 8 carved stone faces at various locations around the hill. Also worth noting, according to www.dzrtgrls.com, Samuelson had a homestead cabin "on top of the hill where the rocks are". That's why I mentioned in my Part 1 post that I didn't think the collapsed cabin I found belonged to Samuelson.

I found this old photo of Samuelson's cabin on Elliot Koeppel's site here. Check out the notch in the hill (arrow) behind the cabin. It looks suspiciously similar to the notch on the hill in the second photo (photo credit www.dzrtgrls.com), which reinforces the claim that Samuelson's cabin was on the same hill where his rock carvings reside. Unfortunately, there is nothing left of Samuelson's cabin.

As I hiked up the side of Samuelson's Hill, I was delighted to find a rock carving after just a few minutes of looking. It's a bit of a strange feeling to find something like this out in the middle of nowhere. I was surprised that the carvings appeared so crisp and well preserved. It would have taken significant skill to carve these letters straight and precise into a rock face. Here's what it says (spelling corrected):

WAKE UP

YOU TAX AND

BOND SLAVES.

A POLITICIAN IS A BIRD

THAT GETS IN ON THE TAX

PAYORS (PAYER'S) POCKETBOOK FOR A FAT

RAKE OF (OFF) AND HIS FREE KEEPS.

HE LEADS YOU BY THE NOOSE (NOSE)

WITH ONE HAND(.) WITH THE OTHER

HE DIGS IN YOUR POCKET.

A FRIEND OF THE BANKER AND BIG

BUSINESS(.) WHY?

 ARE YOU THE FELLOW

MR. MELLON

THAT GRABED (GRABBED) ALL OUR DOUGH(?)

AIN(')T YOU BETTER UP AND

TELL US

WHERE IN HELL DID IT GO.(?)

 GOD

MADE MAN

BUT HE(N)RY FORD

PUT WHEELS UNDER EM (HIM)

THO (THOUGH) A. MASTER

OF THE GOLD'N (GOLDEN) RULE

HE MUST DIE

TO. BE. APPRICIATED (APPRECIATED)

 JUDGE ben LINDSEY

A. MAN THAT

UNDERSTANDS HUMANETY (HUMANITY)

AND BIG ANOUGH. (ENOUGH)

TO. LIVE. IT.

STUDY NATURE(.) OBEY THE LAWS

OF IT(.) YOU CAN(')T GO WRONG(.)

IT PAYES (PAYS) COMPOUND ENTEREST (INTEREST)

FOR LIFE AND NOT ONE PENNY

ENVESTED (INVESTED).?

 I came upon this old bed frame on top of the hill, and can only imagine this came from Samuelson's cabin. How else would it get out here in the middle of nowhere?? Could this be the very bed that Samuelson slept on and rested on after laboring away on his rock carvings??

The urge was too great... I couldn't resist. I'm not a fan of selfies, but here was an opportunity to lay on what was likely Samuelson's own bed and take a photo!

As you can see, the sun is getting low on the horizon. As nice as it would have been to take a little siesta on Samuelson's bed, no time to take a nap now!! Let's continue our hike.

I found a number of these smooth-faced rocks in the area. If Samuelson were alive today and had the urge to add to his collection, he would have no problem!

 Mmmm... looks like I'm going to have to do some climbing to get close to this one! Note the moonrise.

  

RELIGION IS A CODE OF

MORALLS (MORALS) FOR US TO LIVE BY(.)
NO MORE HELL IS HERE ON THIS
EARTH(.) NO OTHER PLASE (PLACE)(.)
MOAST (MOST) OF IT WE MAKE OUR SELFE (OURSELF)(.)

AS TO HAVEN (HEAVEN) FIND IT IN
A LIFETIME(.) NOTHING
PROVEN AFTER DEATH BY PREAST (PRIEST)
OR SCIENTIST?

On the west side of Samuelson's Hill I was surprised to find two corral areas. There are numerous mentions on websites that Samuelson was not only a prospector but also a sheep rancher, so that would explain these corrals!

Color splash!

I spotted this old water tank a few hundred yards from the corrals. It's sitting in a wash, which is a weird place to put a water tank. I'm guessing its original location was somewhere else.

Heading back toward Samuelson's Hill from the water tank, I spotted my last carved panel. Ironically, it's the only panel signed and dated by the author.

THE ROCK.
OF FAIHT (FAITH).
AND TRUHT (TRUTH).
NATURE. IS. GOD.
THE. KEY. TO. LIFE.
IS. CONTACT.
EVOLUTION. IS. THE MOTHER
AND FATHER OF MANKIND
WITHOUT THEM. WE. BE. NOTHING

John. Samuelson

1927.

Interestingly, someone has built a little bench in front of this panel, complete with some local artifacts. I sat for a few minutes, contemplating Johann Samuelson, his carved panels, and the interesting life he had. Not a sound could be heard except for the occasional chirp of a bird. I didn't see a single person hiking this area the entire afternoon. Solitude is a wonderful thing!

In all, I think I found six of the eight panels. By the time I found my sixth panel, the sun was setting. Not wanting to hike across open desert with no trail to follow in the dark, it was past time to head back. I'll definitely be coming back to find the last two panels sometime in the future.

For a nice overview of Samuelson's Rocks, and an interpretation of his writings, click here: http://stowell.org.

Thanks for coming along with me on the hike to Samuelson's Rocks, and I hope you find them as fascinating as I do!

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