The "Real" Hidden Valley?

One piece of fascinating history in the Joshua Tree area has to do with the "McHaney Gang" and horse and cattle rustling in the late 1800's/early 1900's. The story goes something like this. The McHaney Gang would "obtain" horses in Arizona to exchange for cattle in California. Things might be reversed depending upon the relative "availability" of stock at either end of the trail. Either way, the stolen stock were rebranded and hidden in and around Hidden Valley. Interestingly, there is much debate as to where the real Hidden Valley was. Today's Hidden Valley can be accessed via a nature trail southwest of Intersection Rock, and is one of the more popular areas to visit in Joshua Tree National Park. But the following information is from Joshua Tree National Park: A Visitor's Guide by Robert B. Cates:

"The late Bill Keys, pioneer rancher who came to the area in 1910 and befriended Bill McHaney, insisted that the real Hidden Valley was the canyon now inundated behind a crude dam built by Keys behind the Desert Queen Ranch."

So this sets the stage for my recent hike (hike date: May 21, 2019). I was determined to find a way to hike into the canyon behind the Keys Ranch Dam. Keys Ranch (aka, Desert Queen Ranch) is only accessible via ranger led tours, but my guess was that the area behind the dam, if one could find a way in through all the rocks and without crossing ranch boundaries, would make for a fascinating hike.

The red arrow points to Keys Ranch. You can clearly see water behind the dam (actually two dams) with a wash or shallow canyon meandering off to the east. Could this area be the "real" Hidden Valley?

After studying Google Maps, I was convinced I found a route in to the area that would put me into the wash behind the dam. The route would require some moderate boulder scrambling, but it's the only way in that I could see. With a little bit of luck, it should get me into a really interesting area that few people have seen.

Well, as it turns out, luck wasn't with me on this hike. That happens from time to time!

Let me save anyone thinking about hiking into the area a lot of time. There are multiple "no trespassing" signs and fences: The area is CLOSED! Bummer. So I had to stop and head back the way I came, but still a fun hike even though I didn't get to explore the "real" Hidden Valley!

A couple of things I'll remember from this hike (besides the no access thing). First, there were a lot of plants in bloom. Lots of color (by desert standards). The hike kind of turned into a desert flower hike.

Desert Thistle, aka Lavender Thistle

Freemont's Pincushion

Paper Bag bush

I've commonly seen oak galls (caused by chemicals injected by the larvae of certain wasps) but always kind of a nondescript tan color. These actually looked like crab apples in the late afternoon light!

Silver cholla with weird lime-colored flowers.

The second thing I'll remember from this hike is that it got COLD. Not something I've often experienced hiking in the desert. I was hiking with long pants, cotton tee shirt and long sleeve over-shirt, and on the hot side at the beginning of the hike with temps in the mid-70's. By the end of the hike, the wind became strong and the temps dropped into the low 50's. Brrrr!

And along with all the blooms, it turned out to be a great hike for desert landscapes and skywatching!

Late afternoon golden light along the trail!

Linking with Skywatch Friday.

Thanks for stopping by, and Happy Summer Solstice!!