Thursday, April 25, 2019

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!!

42 comments:

  1. Gosh always a wonderful visit with you

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beautiful, as always. I bet alcohol was welcome in that endless desert!

    ReplyDelete
  3. You get such great color and clarity in your images.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wonderful vistas.The blue sky certainly adds to the beauty.That looks like such rugged country.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Fascinating about the road you live on!! You are right, the is more of a climb:) The skies are extremely beautiful at the time of you captures! Because the clouds are stretched, I wonder if there was a lot of wind? Beautiful see-through holes:) have a great weekend exploring!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beautiful photos as always my friend. I do love the sun thru the arch shot - something about desert arches draw me in.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Again your sense of adventure and hiking ability. And you sure know your way around google maps and how to to transfer what you see there into actually hiking it.
    And great photographs. Amazing that you found that big concrete tank.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow! There is so much to explore in desert. The star burst is stunning

    ReplyDelete
  9. Woow different shapes of rocks are really interesting!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Fabulous scenery and blue skies!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great timing on your sunstar!!! And I think habitation is a pretty good bet. Thanks for stopping by the World in B&W and for your kind words about my pic!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Beautiful sky photos. Yes, you were at the right place and at the right time to get that perfect shot.

    ReplyDelete
  13. How can I find a new way to say--- Wonderful images. Thanks for taking us along.

    ReplyDelete
  14. yeap, simply marvelous. bootlegging, hein? in time of needs people are resourceful.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Stunning always a pleasure seeing your desert photo's, so are you going to try and find a different way to Snake eye spring

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great story about the bootleggers highway and also stunning landscape views again. I like it and keep them coming.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hello, awesome landscape and beautiful sky images. The arch and sun shot is beautiful. Happy Friday, enjoy your weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Enjoyed!!

    The thing I miss most, after the mountains, of my native Southwest, the hue of the sky. The humidity here in Florida gives us robin-egg-blue more often.

    I was ready to follow a riding friend out to CA, leaving on the 4th...but my sciatica isn't going to allow that kind of ride. Woe is me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry to hear that, Mac, but still hoping you can make it out here to CA in the future!

      Delete
  19. What a grand and beautiful hike. I had a wonderful vicarious adventure.

    ReplyDelete
  20. So you live on Bootleggers Highway when you visit your desert home SPP, that's pretty cool 😉 Your desert shots are spectacular, oh la those skies 💙

    ReplyDelete
  21. I have enjoyed your amazing landscapes and beautiful skies again.

    ReplyDelete
  22. The desert landscape never fails to make one's spirit soar. (A little something from the still wouldn't hurt either.)

    ReplyDelete
  23. That "hike" does not look like the kind of thing that would be wise to embark on when alone. It seems you found stunning photos anyway on less adventurous ground.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Watch out for that man with the beard....ROFL! "hike"...NO WAY! You made the right choice. Your desert landscape photographs are always top notch. Enjoy your weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  25. A beautiful landscape indeed and awesome photos. Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Each time I come and visit this blog, more and more I am tempted to go visit. I certainly will, someday.

    Worth A Thousand Words

    ReplyDelete
  27. Isn’t it amazing that you can live in a place and still hear about and see things you’ve never seen before? I’m intrigued by your little air bnb cabin. Any chance of a photo? Wonderful views of landforms and a delight to follow you across the desert.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Cynthia. That would be fun to do a post on my little desert Airbnb cabin. May be next week?

      Delete
  28. Definitely a hike and no path apparently ~ Glad you decided not to try it ~ Your resulting photos are fantastic ~ desert is so beautiful from your perspective and the various rock formations!

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

    ReplyDelete
  29. That caterpillar rock kind of looks to me like someone lying on their tummy with their head down.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I read this post on my iPhone this morning before work and tried to comment. I can't comment on any Blogger blog now and it's getting ridiculous. So I'm a little late, but I'm intrigued by that AirB&B. Do you get many takers to see the beautiful scenery in the desert? Just curious. Your photos, as usual, were spectacular.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry to hear about the posting problems, Alana. Such a hassle!! Yes, the little desert Airbnb does very well. It's a no-frills, rustic desert cabin, but people seem to like it!

      Delete
  31. While the rock and formations are super interesting---I like the bun shaped rocks---the super sky is magnificent!
    MB

    ReplyDelete
  32. Your desert sure has some fantastic rock formations.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I can always count on an interesting story and uplifting pictures when I come to your blog. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Wow! You've had some great adventures!

    ReplyDelete