Thursday, December 31, 2020

Crown Prince Return Visit

Wow, hard to believe... last post of 2020! I don't know about your, but I'm looking forward to a new and improved 2021!! For today's adventure, we are heading to an area of Joshua Tree National Park that sees only light foot traffic. The few people that hike into this area are likely looking for the Crown Prince Lookout, which I've posted about here and here. The Lookout is fascinating because it was used as an enemy aircraft warning station during WW2, and the views are gorgeous.

We will visit the Lookout today, but that's not the goal of the hike. I've spotted some interesting looking rocks on Google Earth that I want to check out. I'm hoping to get lucky and find some signs of Native American habitation. It's below (south) of the Lookout, and it's an area rarely visited. I'm keeping the location vague on purpose. On my visits to the Crown Prince, I often look down to the area below the Lookout and think "one of these days." Well, I guess today is the day!
 
It's a fairly easy hike to get to the Crown Prince Lookout. Many consider the rocky climb in the photo above to be the most challenging part of the hike. Interesting that when this area was used as a military lookout (active from Feb. 1943 - Oct. 1943), stairs were constructed to make the climb easy.
Ya, that would certainly make things easier! I found this photo in Kevin Powell's excellent book 40 Classic Day Hikes of Joshua Tree National Park. In his book, he gives photo credit to the National Park Service. There was reportedly a trailer kept somewhere below the stairs for the volunteers to sleep in when they weren't on duty. I've never seen a photo of the trailer.

 Weird concrete block on top of the Crown Prince Lookout. I'm sure this had some function back in the day when the military was using this spot as a lookout.

Nice view. I never knew you could see the Wonderland of Rocks from here! I lugged my big, heavy telephoto lens with me today, so I might as well get some use out of it. I would guesstimate this to be about 10 miles.


An old tie-down located on top of the Lookout.

Leaving the Lookout and continuing on our journey, I was curious to see if this rock labyrinth was still in place. I came across it a few years back and reported it to the Park Service. They said they would remove it, but that obviously didn't happen. That's OK with me. I think it's pretty interesting.
 
Not far from here, you can see some old mine tailings and there are supposedly two small mine shafts. The challenge is they are hidden in the boulders and difficult to find. I found one some years ago, but it was full of bees, so I couldn't explore it.
After some searching, I was able to find it again, and this time, no sign of bees. This is the view from outside looking in. 

From inside looking out. It's just a shallow mine that likely didn't produce much, but interesting anyway. To think someone dug this out with a pic is mind-boggling!
 
I searched for the second mine, but was unable to find it. But a nice bonus to the hike was finding these pottery sherds! I was careful to put them back exactly where I found them before moving on.
 
Fish head?

The area has classic desert beauty and wonderful rock formations. As I was hiking down a steep hillside, I heard the distinct sound that sounds like nothing else on earth... rattlesnake! He slithered away quickly as I looked frantically around trying to spot him and hoping I wasn't stepping toward him or on him. He lodged himself in the roots and branches of a creosote bush, so no chance for a clear photo. I changed to my telephoto lens and this is the best I could do. 
Close crop showing the eye of the rattlesnake and his tongue darting out. I was keeping a safe distance. I never knew rattlesnakes could have blue eyes!!


View (looking north) of the Crown Prince Lookout

Bingo!! This is the cluster of rocks that I was hoping to find today, and my heart was beating faster as I noticed a large opening under the rock that might indicate a shelter.
 


The shelter is small but plenty of room if you're sitting. I saw no sign of rock art, but the placement of the boulders is interesting. Someone, either in recent times or distant times, had cleared the rocks out of the shelter. There's also an area that looks like an old fire ring, but no sign of soot on the rocks above. 
 
A second shelter very close to the first. Within this shelter there is something that looks suspiciously like a grinding stone. That's a fun find!


Interesting rocks very close to the shelters and part of the rock cluster that makes up this site. Again, I saw no rock art. Either none here or it's faded away over the years. But this area definitely has that "feel" to it. I was excited to find it, and I've never seen photos of it, so I don't think people are aware of this site.
 
Yawning dog? Howling at the moon??
I still had a lot of exploring to do, but I could check off the primary objective of my hike and just focus on taking pictures. I'll stop yakking and let the photos speak for themselves.












Wishing everyone a Happier New Year for 2021!
Linking with Skywatch Friday.
Stay safe and stay healthy!

47 comments:

  1. What an awesome post ~ fascinating rock formations and that was one rattlesnake that I would not to contend with ~ great photo though ~ Great photos everyone ~ thanks ^_^

    Wishing you a Healthy and Happy New Year,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

    ReplyDelete
  2. gorgeous photos - the desert always looks so timeless - hope you have a healthy and happy 2021!

    ReplyDelete
  3. ...your gorgeous images of the desert wonderland are like nothing that I will ever find here. Thanks so much for taking me along for the tour. Let's do it again in 2021, stay healthy and have a bright New Year.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Another beautiful outing in to the desert. Fantastic photos and narrative.
    Thanks for sharing and have a safe healthy new year.

    ReplyDelete
  5. WOW so many absolutely great shots and what views. The formations are out of sight. I starred at the thousands of rock tips I could not imagine it.
    BUT lemme tell you I have seen a few Rattlers, but I have never saw such a close up!
    Thanks and Happy New Year.
    Sherry & jack in a Florida that is warming up!

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a fantastic trip (and photos to match). I think you must be the modern equivalent of an adventurer/explorer :)
    Wishing you a happy healthy 2021 filled with lots more hikes to wonderful places. Mxx

    ReplyDelete
  7. Many beautiful photos! And, lovely skies. Happy sky watching and Happy New Year, too!

    ReplyDelete
  8. That's about as close as I would like to get to the rattlesnake! A very Happy New Year to you!

    ReplyDelete
  9. that golden hour shot and monochrome is splendid sir. The rattle snake scared a lot

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wonderful pics.
    Happy New Year greetings.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Picture 29, more silhouette than not, looks like kokopelli! I don't know why they'd remove the maze--- it's perfect. I'm sure they don't want to encourage redecorating the desert, but... I don't know, but I thinks have an inner eye lid which is what seems to be catching the light in such a way to look blue. GREAT POST!! Fabulous pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hello,
    I am glad that snake was not too close. Beautiful skies and lovely images.
    I think we are all looking for a new improved New Year! I wish you all the best in 2021, a very happy and healthy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Stunning photos of the lookout and the geology around it. Must bee strange seeing a rattle snake like that but a good way to get a photo of it which I might add was eyeing you suspiciously.
    Happy New Year

    ReplyDelete
  14. Happy New Year, Peter.
    What a fantastic hike again. I love the photos as well as your story about it.

    ReplyDelete
  15. How nice when you see the places you are looking for and interesting to think of those that have been there before! Someone alerted me to a rattlesnake on the trail yesterday! Sure hate to see those when you're looking all around, enjoying the views! Stay safe and healthy this new year! And enjoy your hikes. Thanks for sharing so much with all of us! Some day I'd like to travel out there! Happy new year!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Rock Solid Photography as usual! I specially like the thirty second pic, it remains me of something I saw while back. Nice one, Peter! All the best for 2021 to you and yours!!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow, another great post. I worry about you sometimes. You encounter a rattlesnake and you happily get in small little mines and inside rock shelters.
    Growing up out west, there were small abandoned mines I would peer in but never just go in.
    See that shows that you are the intrepid explorer and I'm just poser.
    I also love how you use google earth to aid in planning your adventures.
    Wishing you a great New Years!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Happy New Year. The old topo maps showed the spot. Nice pic of the steps. It was hard finding info on it. I hadn't thought about that place in years. Thanks. Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I can't tell you how much I enjoy your photos and descriptions :) Your landscape is incredible and strikingly different from what we see here in Memphis. Virtual travel :) Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  20. An interesting place , the Crown Prince. The rocks on the right look a little like fingers. Great you could capture the rattlesnake. Have the feeling it was avoiding having to fight with you:) A great endeavor to clean up your desk and your office space. It's easier to find things back when you have 'em organized. A happy 2021 to you and your family, and that it may smooth out all the tension and crises of this year that have been heaped up eventually!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Happy New Year to you and your family. I have been wondering about a rattlesnake encounter and I'm glad this was a safe one. The photos are fabulous. The new moon photo is beautiful. And the rocks are so interesting. You wonder what it took, how long it took to shape them into all these shapes. Wishing you peace and joy in the new year. At least you have a place to escape to if things don't improve. But I think they will improve and 2021 will be a better year.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Beautiful photos and landscape! Very cool seeing the old tie-down. Happy New Year to you!

    ReplyDelete
  23. another fascinating post - I am impressed how you found image of those stairs.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Happy New Year to you. You never run out of amazing sights to show us. I liked the howling dog and the rock picture right after the rattlesnake. And, the rattlesnake - not caring if it was blurry.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Love your story and pictures! Happy new year!

    ReplyDelete
  26. It's nice when you can achieve the objectives of the hike. Some nice finds.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I'd love to stumble across that labyrinth and walk it. Glad it's still there! Happy 2021!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Stark and beautiful. Do you wear snake gaiters when you are out there in rattlesnake country? All the very best for 2021. Bigs hugs to Lilly!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Wolf eel? I always love you hikes. - Margy

    ReplyDelete
  30. Another interesting post from your hike. Your photos you shared turned the dessert into an fascinating and beautiful place. Oh! Please do be careful of the snakes!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Brilliant captures all! Happy New Year to you and yours!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Happy 20BLK Jack Brother Man - Amazing Photos As Always - So Dig That Rattler - All The Best To You And The Family - Enjoy This Next Trip Around The Sun

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  33. What a delightful trip these photos made! They're always beautiful, but you outdid yourself this week. If it's a fish head, it's one of those blubbery kinds, blob fish? That's what I saw.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Glad there were not any bees this time. Shards and grinding stone interesting find. I really enjoyed seeing the circle of rocks, glad they were still there. Amazing adventure! No worries about being 6 feet away from anything, eh? LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Beautiful as always and detected a chimney from Gaudi in your photo's here. Very nice.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Beautiful rock formation photos and interesting information!
    Have a blessed day!

    ReplyDelete
  37. The circle of rocks remind me of fairy circles, the top photo looks like someone's fingers. Happy New Year to you too

    ReplyDelete
  38. Happy and Healthy New Year! The views at this Crown Prince site were amazing but even more amazing to me is the variety of rocks and their sizes and shapes. I can see why the Native Americans would think this are as sacred and use the rocks as shelters. I;m glad that rattlesnake stayed far away from you--they are always a danger where rocks are located.

    ReplyDelete
  39. What a spectacular hike. Great rock formations and beautiful landscape. In that first photo with the crescent moon, I see a bear's outline - very cool. I really love the shots with the moon - you got some great shots.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Great photos, as always and looked like another beautiful day.Those stairs would have been handy so wonder why the military removed them. Glad the labyrinth was left in place as there wouldn’t seem to be a reason to remove it. As for that rattlesnake encounter, I would have definitely been nervous, but then I suspect this may not have been a first time experience for you, Rick.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Wow those rock formations are just incredible. I suppose it is the sand and wind that smooth the edges over the years. The one golden sky and silhouette shot looks like a kokopelli doll. Love all of this
    MB

    ReplyDelete
  42. So much surrealness to love here. Glad the rattler didn't get you. Happy trails in 2021!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Such a strange place, could be on a distant planet! The rocks are such expressive shapes, some of them look as though they could be alive. Maybe my imagination is running away with me.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Great pics, as always! Now I have that song with the "blue eyes" in my head ;-) Elton John?

    ReplyDelete