Thursday, February 11, 2021

Stirrup Tank Shelter

 I've hiked Stirrup Tank in Joshua Tree National Park a few times before (here and here), but I wanted to explore the area further west and south. The rock formations look interesting on Google Earth, and it's an area rarely explored. That's a combination I find irresistible. So join me while we take a look!

When will I ever learn? The terrain was steeper than I was expecting. It was all up and down and crossing steep washes. Satellite view tends to make the terrain look flatter. How many times have a said "it looked easier on Google Earth!"




I love the strange, interesting rock formations and textures. The one directly above reminds me of a fish head looking up at the sky!
 

I was really happy to meet Mr. Grumpy tortoise on my hike. These guys have gotten extremely rare. Unfortunately, it's not uncommon to find the shell remains from deceased tortoises, but it's much less common to come across a live one. This guy wasn't looking too spry. He barely opened his eyes to look at me, and never moved. I moved on without disturbing him, hoping he wasn't sick.
 
I came across these very large boulders, leaning against each other creating a natural shelter. Within the shelter is this rock ring with signs of soot above it. It looks very old, but whether it was more recent or perhaps ancient, I guess we will never know.
 
I call this the "big boulder" area, which is near the shelter. This boulder is about 15' in height. I like the big, open, unobstructed view of the desert. You may be able to tell from the shadows that it's getting late in the day. 
 



A little bit of golden light left before the sun sets!


 


Not sure if I prefer color or B&W, so will share both!
 
This was one of those hikes that felt longer than it was. Total distance was just over 5 miles, but it kicked my butt!
 
Thanks for joining me on this adventure.
Stay safe and stay healthy!
Linking with Skywatch Friday.

57 comments:

  1. I do not know how you do it, every week you bring us stunning photos from the Joshua Tree National Park that are awesome. Thank you for taking me somewhere I doubt I will every go

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  2. Hope Mr Tortoise is ok too. I like turtles & tortoises.

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  3. I can see the fish head. And hole set of solid photography. Business as usual. 👍

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  4. ...man or man, 5 miles would have killed me! These beautiful images are warming me up as I look out the window at our knee deep snow. Thanks for taking me along.

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  5. I joined you and loved the “ride”. Those rock formations are incredible. Yes, that one looks like a fish head now that you mention it…
    You saw a huge tortoise… lucky you!
    Next time don’t believe what Google tells you… : )
    Be safe

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  6. I commend you for your hiking journeys ~ your photos are always fascinating and your photography skills are admirable ~ Way to go ~ sorry this one was such a challenge ~ bet you slept well that night ~ ^_^

    Moment by moment,


    A ShutterBug Explores,

    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  7. Again, you got some beautiful shots! I sure hope Mr. Grumpy tortoise is ok.

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  8. There must be some way to find the elevations of the area in the hike. That would at least give you a heads up as to whether there'll be a lot of climbing involved.

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  9. I hope you can continue to hike for a long time, because I enjoy seeing that scenery so much. For your B&W vs color, these particular shots all deserved color, especially the sunset picture.

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  10. We love them all but I like Mr. Grumpy, we both spotted a Big nose and got smile. I loved the multicolored horizon beautiful Thanks for taking us along.
    Sherry & jack in the rain...

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  11. I love your adventures and marvel at your skill in doing reconn with google earth. You found some great rock formations. I laughed at myself because before I read your caption on the boulder I thought it was a hand sized stone sitting on the desert. Intriguing that rock ring. Is it ancient or leftovers from a faternity hike a couple years ago.

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  12. Dearest Peter,
    That no doubt was a very strenuous hike! Google Earth can be oh so deceiving...
    Love your 'Fishhead' analysis of that rock!
    Please do check your email, did mail you something...
    Sending you hugs from Georgia,
    Mariette

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  13. Love the shapes of the rocks in your second capture! Your fish head, It thought looked like the profile of a teapot, haha. Can imagine that exploring something new is always an attractive possibility:)
    Thank you for your comment. My youngest grand is a wild one. She loves bugs, and asked her mom for a snake for Xmas. My daughter gave it to her! I guess she's from a different generation of parents than I am, lol. Jesh

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  14. I truly look forward to your hiking post. The image that caught my eye was the bowling ball boulder that just keeps on being balanced. It didn't roll off while you were shooting. Take care.

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  15. Well thanks for taking us on your adventure. Excellent shots and narrative---very enjoyable. Love the odd and twisted shapes of some of the larger stones.
    MB

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  16. It might have been 5 miles, but all that scrambling takes a lot of energy!!! Love the tortoise pictures!

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  17. marvellous as always. That sunburst is clean

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  18. I always find it amazing that however remote the area you walk in, there are usually signs that someone has been there before you (even if it was a loooong time ago).
    Really love your sunset photos :)

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  19. I wish I were 20 years younger and walking to some of these places with you. Great pictures, as always.

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  20. The backlit subjects are my favorites.

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  21. Incredible structures of stone and how smooth time made them. Always a pleasure to follow your path on photographs.

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  22. Mr. Grumpy! Awwww. Hope he was just tired.
    Stunning sun-pic! Good hike :-)

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  23. Another nice hike, Peter, I have enjoyed it again.
    Sometimes I still feel like playing a bad boy trick. I know I am not nearly strong enough for it and I also know that it is not allowed, but I think it would be nice to give that huge round rock in your third photo a little push. ;-)

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  24. Quite a hike. I would do it for the exercise. Hey there, Mr. Grumpy!

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  25. A really awesome butt kicking tho, loved seeing the tortoise, is it the Mohave Desert Tortoise? Love all the color changes as the sun moves an awesome place.

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  26. Beautiful photos! Interesting seeing the tortoise. I didn't know they would be found in that area. Enjoy your weekend!

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  27. Your skies are always the brightest blue! I like that pointy formation in the second photo. Do you have a name for that one? Nice to see tortoises still roam free.

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  28. Enjoyed every moment as always ... those tall, narrow cone-shaped stones seem quite different . Wonder what happened different just there? ....Google Earth needs an elevation widget.

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  29. Simply beautiful out there. I wonder how the old tortoise survives out in the desert? Enjoy your weekend.

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  30. Incredible rock formations! Have a good weekend.

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  31. Beautiful rocks and desert scenes. Yes, I can see the fish head. I hope the tortoise is alright. Amazing it can survive in the desert. Have a wonderful weekend.

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  32. IN your shot number 11, in the right-hand side, I can spot a man's profile with nose and lips. How funny!

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  33. Thank you for bringing me with you on this exciting trip!

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  34. Great set of photos. I chuckled at you saying the terrain turned out to be steeper than you expected. A few weeks ago, I went out on a trail that I knew had a look out point, but for some reason, I had it in my head it would be a gradual ascent. In actuality, the level trail soon had a steep incline, and I had to abandon my plans, because I was only wearing sneakers, and not my hiking boots.

    The rocks in this dessert have a primordial look to them. It's nice to see your photos, because the landscape there is very different from what I see here in Connecticut. Thank you for sharing them.

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  35. 5 miles of wonder! Your eye and attitude really bring us along. Thank You. Again.

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  36. wow, you even get to come across tortoise on your hikes!

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  37. Love Mr Grumpy - Another Boss Outing - Absolutely Brilliant Captures

    Cheers

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  38. Hi
    Very nice pictures, here in Germany it is -23 degrees cold that one wishes for a little warmth and sun
    Greetings Frank

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  39. Another stunning series of shots!

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  40. I continue to be struck by this landscape, never having seen anything like it. These hikes would certainly be challenging, and I'd hafta turn back long before you, but the things you see! And greetings to Mr. Tortoise :) What a wonderful sight!

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  41. 5 miles in this terrain is so different to 5 miles on the flat, no wonder you were tired SPP. Fabulous series of shots to enjoy here, how incredible to come across a tortoise like that, they are amazing creatures ✨

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  42. I LOVE the rock formations you photographed and the golden hour light is perfect. But, I bet you were using a flashlight before you got back to your car.

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  43. Those rock formations are amazing, as always. The sunburst through the tree was beautiful. Hope the tortoise was just resting and not sickly. Five miles in that terrain must be equal to more on flat surfaces.

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  44. This was a good long hike! The rocks look very weathered and smooth. It was a surprise to see a turtle in the desert. I wonder if they hibernate when it's very hot or cold and that was why he was so dormant? I'm glad you were able to complete the circle before it got completely dark. The night sky must be gorgeous there though. Is it designated as a "Dark Sky" area?

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    1. Thanks, Pat. Yes, JTNP is designated a "Dark Sky" area. Within the Park, some areas are darker than others (like out east where no one goes)!

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  45. It was really wonderful hiking, and you were able to see all these landscapes and rocks.

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  46. Those rock formations are astoundingly beautiful. One must wonder how that peak with the spiral striations was formed. The "Big Boulder" looks ready to topple over. Great hike1

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  47. The desert never disappoints. Surreal. Every once in awhile, I read your Mark twain quote! I love it.

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  48. Great images of these interesting rock formations, and I like mister Grumpy too !

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  49. We don't get snow where we live either so I would be excited too.

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