The Elusive Diamond Pictographs

Picking up where I left off with my last post... I had found two of three rock art sites I was looking for W/NW of Barker Dam. I even found a rock art site by sheer luck all on my own, so I was feeling like this was turning out to be a great hike! With an hour of daylight left, I decided to go in search of rock art site #3.

As I got close to the rock art area (based on the published GPS coordinates I had plugged into my phone), I came across "sliced bread" rocks. This might look familiar to you. I shared it a few weeks ago.

A nolina in bloom. These look so regal when in full bloom, and significant because they were important to Native Americans both as a food source (stalks) and the leaves, which were weaved into baskets.

Rock art site #3 has been called the "diamond solstice" pictographs. One reference mentions something about being "hidden in a low recess of the rock wall". My mind grabbed onto the "low" description, and assumed it had to mean low to the ground.

Based on the GPS coordinates, the pictographs should be right there! Somewhere low along these rocks. Looking all over for a low rock shelf or recess, I'm not finding anything. I double check and triple check, even assuming the GPS could be off by 50-100 feet as I scour the entire area.

I even crawled through a thick stand of manzanita, keeping an eye out for snakes.

The manzanita bark catches my eye. Really weird and interesting looking! Manzanita are native to CA, and they "peel" once a year. Once the manzanita is done shedding its outer bark, the red branches are silky smooth. These smooth branches are more resistant to insect attack, so an excellent defense mechanism. Only seen at higher elevations in Joshua Tree National Park, which is where this photo was taken.

After searching every square inch multiple times, I finally had to admit defeat. It had been a great hike, and I found lots of rock art, but site #3 (diamond solstice pictos) had eluded me. The sun was setting and I still had quite a ways to hike to get back to my Jeep, so best be moving on!

Another beautiful nolina lit up by the setting sun!

Nolina next to sliced bread rocks.

 Yet more rock art?? I think so, it sure looks like both orange and black pigment on the rock, although I can't make out any distinct symbols.

Yet another lucky find... a Native American pottery shard! I was getting a complex because everyone seems to find these but me. I was definitely overdue to find one, and here it is!

Following the wash back to the Jeep as the sun sets behind the hills. My favorite time of day!

A classic desert sky!!

Look closely and you will see the couple up on the roof of their van enjoying a classic Joshua Tree sunset! I like to think they are enjoying a little cheese, bread, perhaps a glass of wine... perfection!!

Keys Ranch Road

Last shot of the day (literally). I was tired (really tired) and running late, but I just couldn't resist pulling over to take one last skywatch shot!!

Linking with Skywatch Friday.
Take only pictures, leave only footprints!

Thanks for stopping by!!