Thursday, November 30, 2017

Ivanpah Tank

This is a great little hike in Joshua Tree National Park. Less than 1/2 mile from the east end of the Live Oak parking area, it's perfect for people who like short hikes. On this day, I had my 5 year old granddaughter with me, and she did great! We went well beyond the Ivanpah Tank into some steep, rugged areas as we followed the wash to the east in search of a second "tank" or dam, and I didn't hear any squawking or complaining!

 Early in the hike, you go by "Submarine Rock". You can see my granddaughter checking it out, which gives a nice perspective to it's size.

This is a nice view of Ivanpah Tank. I don't know anything about the dam (year built, who built it, etc.) but it's one of the larger ones in the Park. I'm sure it was built to catch water for livestock back in the day. I can imagine, years ago, much less sand being behind this dam, and the dam having the ability to catch a significant amount of water after a desert thunderstorm. It doesn't look like it would collect much water now with all that sand. I plan to come back next winter after some significant rainfall to check it out.

Here's the back (upstream) side of the dam that might transform into a lake after a series of heavy rains. I like how the late afternoon light was turning everything golden. Getting around the dam to the downstream side turned out to be a little tricky, and required climbing down a steep rocky slope. My granddaughter held my hand, and I told her to "hang on tight to Grandpa in case he slips!" Fortunately, Grandpa didn't slip and we made it down to the lower wash without mishap.

Here's a view of Ivanpah Tank from the front (downstream) side. I have a theory, which is that the original dam was built of stone, as seen in the photo. Over the years, as sand and silt built up behind the dam, they extended it higher (probably easier than removing the sand). That would explain the weird dual construction, with the bottom half being stone and the top half being formed concrete.



It's a beautiful wash as we followed it down from the dam. Rumor has it that there is another tank or dam further down the wash, and I'm hoping my granddaughter can hang with me long enough to find it. The photo above shows the wash from a vantage point I've scrambled up to. Hmmm, wait a second, where's my granddaughter? I better scramble back down and find her!!

Ah, there she is! I can just make out her little pink hat. Do you see her?

Here, this should help. I cropped the image so you can see her more easily.

Time for a little rest and a light snack.

I'm calling the rock face above "Bison Rock". See the dark pigmentation on the rock? In the late afternoon sun it really stood out and reminded me of a bison, with it's head (on the left side) in a downward position. Or maybe it's just the wide open desert spaces playing tricks on me again?

 Split rock? Or perhaps Eel Head rock?


Periscope rock? Hey, just winging it here. Looking for suggestions!

Here she comes!

I give her high marks for making it down this rocky wash!

Ta daa!! We found the "lower" Ivanpah tank. Not marked on any maps, just another one of those JTNP mysteries. Coming down the wash, it's more or less invisible because the sand has totally filled in to the top of the dam. It's not until you step over and look back that you can see there was a dam here!

On the hike back, I noticed this strange obelisk sticking up in the middle of the wash. The sun was lighting it up, so impossible to miss. I'm calling it "Tombstone Rock", although I think others have named it "Fish Rock". Either way, very cool.

Finally, back to the Jeep and ready for the ride home. But first, we need to bundle up! The Jeep is open air and the desert is starting to get chilly.
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Thanks for stopping by!!

37 comments:

  1. Another adventures in that desert land you investigate plus an adorable sidekick

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  2. Kudos to you for including your granddaughter. I have fond memories of my grandfather, "Pa", taking me on adventures. A great post which inspired some great memories.

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  3. How grand a hike with such a delightful little companion. She must be quite sure-footed in her sneakers! I admire your weekly explorations [and accompanying fitness], not to mention the superb images you post!

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  4. That's quite the adventure for a young girl. Good to make memories together.

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  5. Amazing shots of the rock formation but your little grand daughter 'steals the show' ~ what a doll!

    Happy Weekend to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  6. Such a beautiful set of photos, and a great way to spend a day with your granddaughter.

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  7. What a landscape! And what a great grand-daughter - a hiker!

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  8. What a hike. Your granddaughter is a very game young lady.

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  9. Beautiful place to hike. The stone formations are very nice.

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  10. She did well! What gorgeous scenery.

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  11. Impressive!...the fish rock and your granddaughter are winners!

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  12. She so doggone cute! And the rocks ain't bad either! Wonderful pictures!

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  13. Great shots and colors again. That there are places with so much untouched nature is beyond me but wonderful to see.

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  14. Amazing pics . Helloo to your granddaughter :) So cute :)
    Greetings.

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  15. Well done to granddaughter for keeping granddad safe as he wanders about with his camera giving names to rocks.

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  16. great pix, but I know what was the greatest part of the hike.

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  17. Hello, that is an amazing hike for your granddaughter. She did great too. Lovely submarine rock. Wonderful series of photos.
    Happy Friday, enjoy your weekend!

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  18. What a real star! Your cute grand daughter did great hiking through that terrain! Great pics once again!

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  19. Reading your post is like glossing over a NatGeo magazine.

    Worth a Thousand Words

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  20. That is so cool you could take your granddaughter on that hike, looked a great one to do with lots of interest

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  21. You granddaughter is a real trooper, its' great that you are exposing her to these cool places, she will fondly remember them for a long, long time. Amazing photos!

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  22. I used to love to go to Joshua Tree. It was great for hiking, the rock formations were amazing, and the night skies were perfect to set up the telescope. - Margy

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  23. You are grooming your daughter to be a lover of rocks and desert. The rounded shapes of these rocks are attractive. Beautiful and stunning captures, Peter! Another successful journey!

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    1. sorry, I meant your grand daughter:)

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  24. What a beautiful walking companion you have, and what an amazing desert hike.

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  25. Oh, great, I'm glad I got to come along with you both through your photos. You are bringing up a great explorer! The scale of the place is really brought home to me when I see the tiny images of your grand-daughter.
    Now that I am (at last!) a grandmother I'm looking forward to having similar pleasures with my grandson _though I'll have to wait till he's up on his feet!

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  26. I love the photo from the Picknick - and the Walking-Girl so little beetween this big stones
    Greetings
    Kirsi

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  27. great hike- Your granddaughter looks very tiny in front of the tank :) You teach her well )

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  28. Love your mast head photo. It goes perfectly with your blog title. That was a wonderful walk with your granddaughter. Not only did you get great photos, but you are also teaching her a life skill. I am sure she will treasure the time you spent with her. Thanks for your positive comment on my blog.

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  29. Fantastic hike. Your granddaughter did well and thank you for taking us along with you. I love your names. I thought periscope rock was pointing what direction to take and it has to be eel head rock. Thanks for sharing.

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  30. Deserts are so full of fascinating things, rocks, rusty items, bent trees, and, of course, the prettiest little hiker around. You are teaching her some wonderful skills and I bet she'll never forget her hikes with grandpa.

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  31. Well, although I am totally into the fact that your granddaughter hiked with you and that she is the cutest thing ever with that backpack strapped onto her (along with the pink hat, of course), I can only imagine how beautiful the water once was that flowed there to carve out such magnificent shapes!!!....:)JP

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  32. Of course your granddaughter is an intrepid hiker -- look at her heritage! What a wonderful day together. The rock formations are intriguing as always (that is totally a fish by the way ;>)))... and the history of the tanks so interesting. I like thinking about all the people who have either lived or worked (or both) out there on the desert in the past.

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  33. yes I can see why it's called submarine rock, one of the other photos almost looks like a big armchair.

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  34. Great post Pete! Lot's of nice photos from a great area. Your granddaughter sure is a little cutie.
    It's really nice that you take her out with you so much. I hope you can keep doing it as she grows up.

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  35. Fantastic post and amazing photos. It is great that your granddaughter accompanies you on your explorations. She will have life time memories of these and JTNP.
    Enjoy your week!

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  36. You took us for a fantastic adventure. Beautiful collection of photos.

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