Thursday, December 17, 2020

Heart Rock

It's not on a map. I'm guessing most rangers are unaware of it's location, but one of the best heart-shaped rocks in all of Joshua Tree National Park is very close to a popular campground (White Tank). White Tank also has Arch Rock, which is a very popular tourist destination and has a trail leading to it. All those visitors going to Arch Rock don't realize what they are missing when they bypass Heart Rock. I'm kind of glad it's not on a map and has no trial leading to it. It means if you are lucky enough to find it, you have a good chance of having it all to yourself!



This was a perfect hike for granddaughter Lilly and I. A little under a mile (one way), a chance to teach her a little about GPS navigation, and a really fun photo opportunity!






Leaving Heart Rock, we decided to take a more challenging route back to the car and see some different terrain. 




Linking with Skywatch Friday.
Thanks for stopping by, and stay healthy!!

51 comments:

  1. Your monochromes and sunburst captures are perfect! Good that some locations are not in map

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  2. Great pictures, and adorable Lilly!

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  3. I love the sun at the top dip of the heart. Beautiful

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  4. She really is growing up, superb seeing that rock nigh on a perfect heart. Wonderful photos this week. Have a good Christmas

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  5. Gorgeous shots, Peter. Must have been a really wonderful day for you and your granddaughter.

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  6. The 1st photo is great. Good timing.
    I'm sure you had a good time together.

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  7. Truly gorgeous! Love the shots with Lilly.

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  8. What a special time for you two. Great photos! Happy Skywatch!

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  9. Hello
    The heart rock is cool. Lily is a wonderful model and a cute granddaughter.
    Love the sunburst on the first image. Take care, stay safe! Have a happy day and a great weekend!

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  10. Lovely rock. Heart shape is pretty uncommon in Nature.

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  11. Amazing heart rock ~ and great photos ~ sweet photos of you and Lily ~ good to see her again ~ ^_^

    Live each moment with love,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  12. Lilly is growing so fast. I can only imagine how much these hikes will mean to her as she grows older and thinks back on things that were important to her. The heart rock is interesting and I know you are a happy it isn't well known. The last photo is a master piece. Wow!

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  13. Making memories with your grand daughter. Kudos to you. You guys look you were having fun.

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  14. WE have only one Grand daughter it was always a joy to have her around. I can imagine the thrill to have her to yourself and teach her to enjoy a GREAT part of nature. She looks like she would be a SWEETIE that is for sure. Good on you for taking her on the hikes.
    Sherry & jack we dropped to 35 degrees here in Florida, very uncharacteristic.

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  15. Very cool stuff. Amazing what rock formations can turn into, or what we can make out of them. Evr been to Garden of the Gods?

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  16. What a find! The landscape there is remarkable, and you get such good lighting for your shots.

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  17. I love your desert pictures. Its works in anyway !!!

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  18. All your photos are amazing, but I especially love the heart rock. Lily is so cute and very lucky to have you as a grandpa and to be able to experience these things at such a young age. I hope it's something she'll love doing throughout her life.

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  19. you always manage to find most amazing shapes. Lilly has a great teacher for navigation.

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  20. Lilly is so lucky to have a person like you to introduce her to navigation and combine it with loving nature plus seeing unknown/unseen historical sites. I see hearts in nature also they just aren't that BIG. What a fun way to spend a day with Lilly another adventure. Happy Holidays from our house to your house.

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  21. These are splendid! Thanks for sharing what are sure to become family jewels!

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  22. What a stunning rock. And adorable girl! What a nice way to spend time together. No grandchildren for me yet, but I'm close to getting a step one!

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  23. So great that the both of you got to do that.

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  24. You two make a great pair! It warms my heart to see her becoming a great adventurer, just like you!

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  25. Excellent shots. What a fun time with Granddaughter. She makes life more interesting--huh.
    MB

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  26. That's a very unique rock, nice to see those happy smiles.

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  27. Dearest SP&P,
    Wow, that must have been a dream for your sweet granddaughter Lilly to see this and for snapping some photos of it as well. Great way for polishing some genetic traits; one can tell...
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  28. Lovely photos. The sun with the heart is perfect.

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  29. Really enjoyed the black and white pictures of your granddaughter. She's going to be quite the hiker when she gets closer to adulthood.

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  30. Great heart rock images. Beautifully shaped heart rock by the work of nature. Your granddaughter is very photogenic. She makes a great hiking partner being mentored by you.

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  31. Wow, a perfect heart shape! How fun to teach Lily ...my word, how old was she last time ... was it 5 years old? She looks a whole lot taller now! A merry Christmas to you and your family, a great celebration in the desert? And all the best for the New Year!

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  32. The heart rock is amazing and your shots are awesome!
    Your little model has grown up a lot.
    Have you all a blessed Christmas time!

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  33. Lily is adorable - what a great hiking companion she makes. I'm amazed at how Heart Rock is upright and balanced with such a narrow base. It does make for a great photo op.
    Merry Christmas to you and yours - and may 2021 be a better year for all os us.

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  34. That is an amazing rock. It's also great that your granddaughter is now old enough to start teaching GPS and hiking tips to and you have a great little hiking companion. Have a very Merry Christmas.

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  35. That heart shaped rock is cool, I collect palm sized ones.

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  36. You makes wonderful hiking and Lily is really brisk girl..
    The heart rock is fantastic.
    Hyvää joulua ja onnellista uutta vuotta 2021.

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  37. Merry Christmas to you and you family, thanks for stopping by.

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  38. Love that Western girl! Wonderful keeper portraits (the missing tooth pinpoints the year forever). She is a lucky young lady to know and see so much wonderful desert (and in good company too)). The heart rock is wonderful and that’s a hike maybe I could still make !

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  39. I am always looking for heart rocks but this one is a bit too big for me to carry. Love photo seven. Best to you from John & >^..^<

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  40. Awesome photos and locations. You and your granddaughter look so harmonious against the background of these huge stones! Super!

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  41. Happy Holidays Brother Man - Enjoy The Family Time - Thanx For Sharing The Hearts Of The World

    Cheers

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  42. What a neat find and such an enjoyable experience for Lily. Happy remainder of 2020 and wishing you a safe and prosperous New Year!

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