Twin Tanks Petroglyphs

I posted last week about Pat Tillett and I tromping around the desert (remember? 6.8 miles; 18,711 steps; 13 floors) looking for petroglyphs which we never found. It was bugging the heck out of me because I know we were very close. After doing a bit more research, I was pretty sure I knew how to get to them and I was itching to try again! You might recall we hit a dead end (a dry fall) which we couldn't get around. Anyway, I'm keeping the location secret except to say it's somewhere in the Twin Tanks area. That's a BIG area, so I don't think any knuckleheads or troublemakers will find the petroglyphs based on my description here. The location also has something else in its favor: it's remote.

If you get to this remote spot in the wash, I'll be impressed! Somewhere in this general neck of the woods there are petroglyphs. Not a lot of petroglyphs... just a few that I am aware of, but in pretty good shape.

See the petroglyphs?

I didn't take this photo (wish I would have!). Photo credit goes to DzrtGrls at http://www.dzrtgrls.com/twin_tanks/twin_tanks.html (used with permission). They have an extensive knowledge of all things desert, and their detailed posts have been super helpful to me over the years. They are careful not to give too many secrets away about locations, but they often seem to drop little hints. That's how I got interested in the Twin Tanks petroglyphs.

You have to climb up into a little side wash to get to the petroglyph location.

Connecting circular patterns with anthropomorphic pattern in the middle. Interesting and mysterious!

I have no idea what these rectangular patterns represent.

I felt a nice sense of accomplishment in finally locating the petroglyphs, and the surrounding area is really pretty. Also remote enough that I'm not seeing human footprints very often. Exactly the kind of place I like to explore, so let's keep going!

A little further up the wash, I came across some intense colors that I'm not used to seeing...a large white quartz boulder (what's it doing here??) next to a yellow shrub. The late afternoon sun was shining in at an angle, highlighting things nicely.

Hmmmm... I try to avoid boulder-filled washes like this whenever possible. It's a good way to twist an ankle or worse. I don't see any way around them, so I'll forge on (very carefully!). As it turned out, I found an easier way back so I only had to cross these boulders once.

Glad I decided to continue on, as the rock formations are decidedly interesting. The only sound is that of my own footsteps and the occasional chirping bird.

Push the button?? Reminds me of something off a "Raiders of the Lost Ark" movie where you push the button and boulders start moving and shifting around!

Just another Joshua Tree bowling ball!

This was interesting, and the photo doesn't do it justice. Viewed on Google Earth, I had marked a waypoint at this spot and called it "the wall". There is a perfectly straight line of rock for about 200' and very visible in satellite view. It looks like someone built a wall here thousands of years ago. Of course, that's not what happened, but I always marvel over some of the stuff nature creates! Oh, and a nice moonrise just to add interest to the photo!

Rocky cairn? Nope, another rocky structure courtesy of Mother Nature.

Yet another weird geologic formation. These craggly rocks cover a large area, but they are not boulders. It's the top of a huge, weather-worn, rock formation. In between the rocky nooks and crannies is solid rock. It occurs to me that this area would capture and hold quite a bit of water after a rain, and I'm guessing the local critters take advantage of that.

My favorite sky shot of the day (actually, just past sunset). A great hike and glad to have found the petroglyphs and explore some remote areas I've never seen. Only bummer was my partner in crime (PT) didn't get to join me on this hike. There's always next time!

Linking with Skywatch Friday.

Thanks for stopping by!!