Mr. Stull's Still

I was reading about a place called "Sneakeye Spring" in Patty Furbush's "On Foot in Joshua Tree National Park." It's certainly not a mainstream hike. Quite the opposite, it sounds like an area that is rarely seen by hikers. And as I studied the area on Google Maps, it occurred to me that it looks more like a climb than a hike! Also, it sounds like the actual spring dried up quite a few years ago, and aside from fantastic views, there's not a lot to be seen. 

Since Sneakeye Spring is in the Indian Cove area of JTNP (which is right around the corner from our desert house), I figured it was at least worth checking out. Equally intriguing was the mention of a cement tank or tanks that, back in the day, were used to collect water from the spring. Local legend says "lame John Stull maintained a still during prohibition days." Twentynine Palms would have been a very remote area back then. Reached only by a long, lonely stretch of dirt road, it would have easily been out of view of Johnny Law. Reportedly, Stull's still was a regular stop on the old "Sullivan Road", the forerunner of today's Highway 62, which explains why the road came to be know as the "Bootlegger's Highway."

Sullivan Road, in 29 Palms (looking west) as it looks today. Probably not a whole lot different than back in the day when it was nicknamed "Bootlegger's Highway". If you follow my blog, you've seen this view a number of times. We own a little homestead cabin (listed on Airbnb) on Sullivan Road, and our desert house is right next to that. In the 10 years we've been coming out here, I've never heard about the "Bootlegger's Highway" nickname. And never heard that Sullivan Road was the main thoroughfare into 29 Palms before Highway 62 was constructed. Fascinating!!

So off I go to see if I can find the Sneakeye Spring area and to look for any signs of a still or concrete water tank. Looking at the photo above, does this look like a hike to you?? Looks much more like a climb over a jumble of large boulders to me. Certainly no trail to follow, and it will require more crawling and climbing than upright hiking! I start the climb up, but quickly decide I don't have the energy or willpower to make it to the top on this day. Maybe some other time.

But down in the wash, it was quite easy to spot the remains of a rather large concrete holding tank. It has broken apart over the years, and large chunks of concrete can be seen down in the wash. A large piece of the tank is still intact (center left). Fascinating to think that, back in the day, this might have been the site of a large still operation! 

Since I've decided against the Sneakeye Spring "hike", the rest of the afternoon is my favorite kind of hike: Open desert rambling and exploration.

Caterpillar rock?? The front part of this rock formation kind of reminded me of a caterpillar head, with the body trailing behind it.

For a while, it felt like a little guy with a beard was following me around!

I will admit it took some effort and climbing to get in just the right spot for the sun to come through this opening!

I even found this arch. Pretty cool to have an arch like this so close to home!

Habitation site? This may or may not be in Indian Cove (location to remain anonymous). The rock in this area tends to erode in jagged, angular patterns. So when I come across smooth rocks in rocky shelters, I'm thinking habitation site! This one was pretty cool, with the smooth rounded rock in the center, the strangely shaped rock left of center with smooth wear, and the "buttock" rock at the far end of the shelter, also with smooth wear. Unfortunately, no obvious signs of rock art that I could see.

This was a particularly good day for desert vistas and skywatch shots, so I'll stop typing and let you enjoy the views!

Linking with Skywatch Friday.

Thanks for coming along with me on today's hike!!