Thursday, March 11, 2021

Crazy Lady Hill

 
This is a photo-location my friend Mitch took me to. Beautiful views and afternoon light, and not too difficult to climb.

Well, I might take exception with the 'not too difficult to climb' description. It's actually steeper than it looks, and my legs were burning and chest heaving as I labored up to the summit with all my gear.

Almost there. This is a view of Mitch I often see when we hike together. He loves climbing stuff!!
 
But yes, the views are awesome, and totally worth the climb!
 




Photographers heaven! The late afternoon light was just beautiful, and we were busy clicking away. It was about this time were heard some kind of a commotion (sound travels long distances in the desert). We figured it to be some tourists having a good time. As the commotion continued, we eventually spotted where it was coming from: There was a lady at the base of the hill yelling and waving her arms and appearing to be highly agitated and upset about something. Imaging our surprise when it turned out to be Mitch and I that she was yelling at!! Something about "private property" and "get off my land". Also something about we know darn well the land is private because we would have crossed fences and private property signs to get where we were (we didn't).
 





Yes, we eventually left. The lady continued yelling and she was clearly a little off kilter. We didn't want to make things worse, but it had taken time and planning (not to mention hard work hiking up to the top of the hill) to be at this location, and the conditions were outstanding. We lingered for another 10 minutes, enjoying the sunset and beautiful views, clicking away, and then made a hasty retreat.
 
Fast forward a few days later. Mitch requests boundary information from the National Park Service, which he shares with me. Turns out there definitely is private property (inholding) in the area, and based on the map we were provided, the property extends to the base of the hill. The top of the hill (where we were) is not private property, and is part of Joshua Tree National Park. Also, we crossed no private property to get to the hilltop. Would I go back? Yes, knowing it's public property and part of the Park, I would. I have every right to be there. But I would be very quiet and do my best not to attract attention and stir up the hornet's nest!
 
Linking with Skywatch Friday.
Thanks for stopping by. Stay safe & stay healthy!

45 comments:

  1. ...as always fabulous images. In the Adirondack Mountains similar situations exists. If you enter a stream from public land by canoe and enter private land you are legal unless you come onto the bank. Many land owners love to tell different.

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  2. Beautiful captures! Love the black and white with the tree.
    In rural communities, people often do not know the exact boundaries of their property (and of course there are also disputes!) Our neighbor in North. Calif.had 3 different surveyers coming out. All with a different boundary, lol! Maybe that's going on here. Thanks for your fun comment.

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  3. Life Is Chalk Full Of Bat Sh*T Crazy Humans - Definitely Worthy Climb There - As Always, Stunningly Gorgeous Photographs - Stay Strong - Stick To The Trail - And Beware Of The Full Moon

    Cheers

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  4. Majestic landscapes. And definitely she was a bit off kilter.

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  5. I love the shot with the sun rays.

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  6. Dearest Peter,
    What a crazy encounter indeed! She just tried to ruin it for both of you.
    Glad you persevered and took these incredible images for others to enjoy as well!
    You both seem to be lucky for having a strong heart for being able to climb up.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  7. Beautiful images. I used to hang with trail runners who remind me of your friend Mitch. Up on hill I like running the trails parallel to the ridge line. Not them they ran perpendicular, up one side, down the other and then back up.
    I am too old for that kind of foolishness!!
    I've heard of inholdings. Apparently there are a bunch of them at Grand Teton National Park.

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  8. As always, your eye is a camera. Good stuff. Sorry about the lady, wild. Makes a good story thought.. (after it is over)
    Sherry & jack in Florida

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    1. PS: You can draw out the best in a sunset. When I read the title of the entry I thought of seeing 'Crazy woman creek' somewhere in the midwest. LOL

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  9. Yes, that climb was worth it. Great views. I bet the woman thought it was her property, but it's not like you were truly disturbing anything.

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  10. Great post. Loved all pics.
    Greetings from India

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  11. You made me smile when you said not too bad of a climb while showing what seemed to be a vertical mass of stone. Hate to think what is a bad climb for you.

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  12. Those monochrome and crepuscular rays are awesome!

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  13. Beautiful area. Glad you knew where you were and the shouting lady. We are having a fenceline dispute with a newer neighbor. Years ago we and the then neighbor went in on putting that fence and now this new person says it is her fence since she bought from the previous owner who help build it. We said no it is on our property. She has been downright nasty about it. She had it surveyed and the fence is on our property so she pulled up the survey stakes----She is a winner that one.
    MB

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  14. Good to see you were well prepared for your climb, you sure do get some great expansive scenery from the top.

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  15. Well ya know, these red baseball cap old ladies need something to occupy their time... Great pictures.

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  16. Stunning, beautiful pics, oh, lucky you, thank you for sharing, it made me dream away.
    Until.... what a sad, sick lady... If you... when you go back make sure she has not a gun at hand ;-)

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  17. Another serie of beauties and about that lady wel those people you find everywhere.

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  18. Hello,

    The climbs was well worth the views. Beautiful sky and lighting. I am glad the crazy lady did not ruin your hike. Great series of photos. Take care! Have a great day and a happy weekend!

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  19. Stunning views especially the ones with the sun over the hill. I take it she thought the hill also belonged to her and thought you crossed her land to get to it. I'd take a boundary map next time and point it out if she gets uppity again. Was there any place she could live nearby?

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  20. Gorgeous captures of the beautiful light ~ thanks ~ glad you made it up the Crazy Lady Hill ~ I feel like a 'crazy hill lady' with this isolation going on ~ sigh.

    Happy Weekend to You,

    Living moment by moment,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  21. That woman would benefit from some clear instruction from somebody -a representative from the park, maybe?- so she stops harassing park visitors. I mean she could be putting herself in danger depending on who she decided to be that aggressive towards.

    These views are gorgeous!

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  22. Absolutely beautiful sky and views. Too bad there was someone yelling at you to get off "her" property. She shouldn't confront strangers like that or she might get hurt. Thankfully she didn't seem to be carrying a weapon herself to turn on to you and Mitch. I'm glad it all ended well and you got some beautiful photos to share with us.

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  23. You go through enough to get us these wonderful pictures - and now, crazy ladies. I love your "not too difficult to climb" and I am looking at all those loose rocks and thinking "aren't there any easy places to get to in this park?" Probably not, if I want that great scenery you capture! I'm so happy Crazy Lady wasn't armed and that everything ended well.

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  24. Greetings and Salutations from Illinois! We are all here on borrowed time. We are lent this land and then land is passed on to future generations to enjoy also. Crazy Lady thinks she owns the beauty you and Mitch seek to only look and share with others the beauty you see. I see no value to her out rage. But she is who she is. Honor the land as you always do. Continue your adventures. Life is good! Let this negative time go. Glad you and Mitch were safe.

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  25. You named it right: photographers' heaven. Terrific shots!

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  26. People can get carried away! Have a good weekend.

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  27. If there is fencing, you would have known that it is off limit. Glad that she didn't let loose any fierce dogs to go after you. At least you got your photos and returned safely.

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  28. haha, I was first puzzled by the 'name' of the hill. well deserved. I don't know, even if that was private property, seeing one or two well behaved people from time wouldn't deserve that reaction. gorgeous photos as usual and well worth the climb. though, your backpack seems heavy.

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  29. If she's so worried about trespassers, she should post the boundaries of her land. I like the black and white photos you posted.

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  30. Such a impressive landscape and great shots !

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  31. That was quite an encounter but it ended up giving you a perfect title for your post. And of course, all those fabulous photos!

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  32. Great captures, great scenery ! It certainly is photographers heaven :-)

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  33. También me dió la impresión que era fácil de subir. en las siguientes tomas ya comencé a ver su dificultad. Las últimas fotografías son maravillosas por su hermosa luz.

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  34. Well that was unexpected SPP! I'm guessing it's the first time you've encountered an angry person on your explorations 😉 Brilliant captures as always, you could almost be on another planet the landscape is so different.

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  35. What a crazy woman - some people seem to be forever buzzing angrily at everyone like they have several bees in their bonnet. They must be so difficult to live with!
    I'm glad you got to take some gorgeous photos, regardless of the abuse. I especially like the upward-sunburst one with the twisted wood (it reminds me of some old juniper trees I have seen).
    Have a great day :) xx

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  36. Was für ein tolles Panorama - der Aufstieg hat sich gelohnt!

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  37. The post title was appropriate after I read what happened on this hike. I wonder why that women who was yelling thought it was her land. Glad you were able to get these shots to share. The late afternoon light and that sun were spectacular!

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  38. It sounds like this hill has the perfect new name! Hah! I'm glad the yelling lady didn't have anything in her possession to discourage another visit. I've seen signs here on private property warning "trespassers will be shot!" The view were worth the climb, and that special light is gorgeous reflecting off all the rocks on the desert floor.

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  39. What on earth was that crazy lady on about? Do you think she just hangs around watching for opportunities to yell ‘get off my “lawn’? You got beautiful pictures, even under a bit of pressure there towards the end. (Because as Pat kind of alludes to in her comment above, these days crazy people are scarier than they used to be because of lax firearms controls.).

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  40. : ))))

    Private property... imagine that!

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