Thursday, October 29, 2020

Sunrise Hike in East Joshua Tree

I don't recall what possessed me to go on a sunrise hike. I'm not a morning person, and I don't understand people who wake up all chipper. I think I'm totally missing that neurotransmitter. I woke up in the dark, bumped my toe on the bed frame, grumbled and cursed a few times, stumbled to the coffee maker and made coffee, grabbed a breakfast bar and my gear, and off I went. It's about a 45 minute drive out to east Joshua Tree where I like to hike: No trails, no people, just wilderness.

The camera makes things look lighter than they really were. When I started my hike (5:41AM), it was still dark enough to require a headlamp, but things lightened up pretty quickly.

No sun yet, but the moon sure was pretty!!


Good morning, sun!! 6:04 AM
    

The slanted morning light is highlighting the tops of plants (6:12 AM).
 
Interesting pictographs on this rocky overhang (circle). One looks like an E. There's no doubt in my mind these markings had meaning to Native Americans, but unfortunately their meaning is lost today. There's another area that looks like it might be a faded picto (arrow).
 
Carrot nose!
 
There's a lot more to share with you from this hike, but it will have to wait until my next post. I'm heading out to the desert for another adventure on Thursday and Friday, with very limited access to a computer. Until next time...
Stay healthy & stay safe!
Linking with Skywatch Friday.

43 comments:

  1. I'm glad you didn't bump into a grumpy snake on your hike. Beautiful photos.

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  2. I really like 4th one, superb sunrise pic! And the shooting star (?) is icing on the cake, very nice bonus.

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  3. These are marvelous, and prod to wake up myself and get out. I'm blocks from waikiki beach for godsakes!

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  4. Neither am I morning person but this pandemic has turned me to one, kind of. These are beautiful captures.

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  5. Amazing views, Brilliant photography.

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  6. You sound like me in the morning, lol. But I love waking early or staying up all night just to see the sun come up. It usually is very colourful. Your captures on your morning hike are very beautiful.

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  7. I am out of ways of offering praise--- But I loved every one of 'em.

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  8. Worth every effort, except, maybe, the stubbed toe. :-)

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  9. Hello,

    I am a morning person, awake before the sunrise. Your hike and sunrise images are beautiful. Pretty moon capture, I like the plants lit up with the sunshine. The carrot nose is cool. Great series! Take care, enjoy your weekend!

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  10. What can I say what I have not said before, crazy beautiful.

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  11. ...thanks for getting up early to capture these beautiful images!

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  12. The early morning scenes are priceless.

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  13. I looooove your sunrise shots, especially the first and the fourth!

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  14. WE are smiling at the 'morning person'. Since retiring I am no longer a MORNING person, never was I guess but work does that. BUT I do love a sunrise when I do see one. Great shots as usual and thanks for allowing us to hike via this computer.
    Sherry & jack settling a little in Florida.

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  15. Dearest SP&P,
    You created at least some fabulous photos to share.
    Sad that the signs from the native Indians are lost on us today...
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  16. I'm not a morning person either, but for lovely morning light and fantastic desert views, I could be converted.

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  17. You might not be a morning person but you got the sunrise. If I lived near I'd have woke you up and come along with you to get the sunrise. Beautiful

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  18. With no trails I'd think I'd get lost lol Your photos look like it'd be worth the risk.

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    1. There are times when I would definitely get lost without GPS. Unless it's an area I'm very familiar with, I map out my hike in advance and follow the track.

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  19. Gorgeous scenery, well worth the early rise!

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  20. Enjoy your pictures and stories.
    I wasn't a morning person until I retired. Ironic, isn't it? Now I wake up naturally, no alarm needed. I enjoy the quiet morning hours. Great time to take pictures too!

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  21. As usual, gorgeous stuff. Some folks have envied my ability to get out to a semi-local lake, but if they only had an inkling of how wonderful proximity to empty (of humans) desert landscapes can be, they'd be much more jealous of your hikes--whenever they take place. Thanks once again for reminding me of where I'm not (which is actually a good thing, because I am still hoping that I can get back some day).

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  22. I have never been an early morning person. Now that I work from home (retired but working part time) I miss the sunrises I used to see on the commute to work. (And then the winter sunsets, too). So I enjoyed your set of sunrise pictures and love that you take your readers along on these hikes.

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  23. So beautiful! I am not a morning person either. But my husband and I started getting up at sunrise when we started birding. Honestly the birds don't get up the early either so now we just get up when we get up.

    But morning light can be so beautiful. You really captured that light!

    One place that I have gotten up early just to take pictures of the landscape is at Trona Pinnacles. It may be a little drive for you but it is a very interesting place to photograph.

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    1. Trona Pinnacles has been on my to-do list for a long time! I've seen some amazing photos taken of the area.

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  24. Sometimes I think sunrise can be more beautiful than sunset, as the light feathers out across the landscape. Your photos are great :)
    Enjoy your upcoming trek, and stay safe.

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  25. The light is wonderful in those. That's why you did it, for the different light ;)

    Did you see the recent NOVA about the origins or our alphabet? I mention it because our alphabet is just watered down pictographs, really. The E was an image of something. With simultaneous invention, it's possible the peoples in this part of the world were doing something similar to those we have more of a record of.

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  26. Love the sunrise shot. Sunrise at 6:04----hmmmm. Sunrise here is 7:23 and about 1/2 hour later at the house because it has to come up over the hill behind us.
    The last pic looks like big eyeballs and a big nose. haha
    I am a morning person but I like to stay uplate also---hmmmm---who am I--LOL
    MB

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  28. I love sunrise, although my schedule these days does not allow for many. But there is something tranquil about a sunrise...you've captured it well

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  29. I'm not a natural morning person, but when I have been out early I like it. I like the quiet and calm, and then the beautiful sunrise.

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  30. Glad you are a morning person to be able to share these images with us. I was warm and cozy in bed while you were out and about, but someone had to do it, just not myself. The sunrise was beautiful!

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  31. The sunrises are so fascinating, too bad I'm still in bed at that time.
    But I can always admire your great photos!

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  32. I am not a morning person either, but it is worth it to see a beautiful sunrise such as the ones you showed and see the dessert come alive in daylight.

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  33. I would say these pics were definitely worth getting up so early for. Great lighting! I only get up early if I absolutely have to.

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  34. Kudos to you for suspending your natural inclination to get out of bed and share these glorious photos with us!

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  35. Beautiful very early morning pics. :)

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  36. Seeing No people is almost a good enough reason to get up early these days. And the desert Dawn even more. Plus you didn’t have to worry about getting back before dark (and you have mentioned that about other hikes.). Actually I don’t think you ever use the word “worry.” But I would have. Here’s to more great hikes, morning or evening and thank you for sharing!

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