Wonderland Overlook

The Wonderland of Rocks is one of the most amazing places in all of Joshua Tree National Park. As the name implies, it's just a huge jumble of densely-packed rocks. The rock climbing is world class, and the hiking and photography are excellent. It's an intimidating area to hike, and few tourists venture in beyond Barker Dam. The boulders and rock formations make hiking in a straight line impossible. For the most part, there are no trails to follow. I've only scratched the surface with regard to my own exploring of this amazing area.

It's pretty easy to spot the Wonderland from an airplane window seat (or looking down in satellite view using Google Maps, above). The lighter-colored granite rocks in the Wonderland form a distinct border with the rest of the park (red arrows show east and west borders). In round numbers, the Wonderland is about 5 miles in length (north to south) and about 1.5 miles wide.

A few posts ago (here) I mentioned I was out looking for some Native American rock art, but try as I might, I never found them. I did find many beautiful flowering Nolina, and also this amazing rock formation.

I think I see a face.

I can't help but wonder if this rocky projection wasn't part of an arch or land bridge a million or so years ago. I'm basing this observation on the way it's sheared off at the end with lots of rocky rubble underneath it. 

After scouring the myriad of rocks for possible pictographs and finding none, I noticed what looked like a possible viewpoint (center of photo above). Let's go take a look.

Some beautiful views and rock formations on the hike over. I still see what looks like a viewpoint, so let's keep going...

Just a little further...

Ah, perfect! Now that's a view!! You can clearly see where the "regular" desert stops and the lighter Wonderland of Rocks granite starts.

Some friends who have hiked the area said this area is called the "Wonderland Overlook". I just stumbled across it by chance. The photos don't really do it justice. They were taken midday with a so-so sky. Imagine how beautiful it would be at sunset!!

On the hike back, I spotted this huge boulder with a flat, smooth top. Let's go explore...

A nice view! My car is down there somewhere.

Late afternoon light highlights this prickly pear cactus.

Here's the old road I'm be following back to the car. That ridge in the mountains is what we have just hiked down.

Pretty little fishhook cactus in flower.

Nolina bloom in b&w.

Linking with Skywatch Friday.

Stay safe. Stay healthy.

Thanks for stopping by!!