Hall of Horrors

What a great name! Hall of Horrors is a grouping of picturesque rock formations not far from the Ryan Mountain trailhead in Joshua Tree National Park. It's a popular spot for both rock climbers and hikers. On this particular day I was on a mission to find something called Triumph Arch. I knew the approximate location, so join me as I go hunting for it.

My first photo of the day. This rock looks like a giant egg!

 

One of many shelters in the area.

 

View from inside the shelter, looking out.

 

Chomp chomp chomp!! I know I must be getting close to the arch.

 

There it is!! Triumph Arch. It's pretty large by Joshua Tree standards. I had been warned by my friend, R.M., that it's hard to photograph. You can take pics like this, shooting up, but it really doesn't do it justice. The best photos would be from higher behind me, or higher and to the left, but the rock is smooth and steep, and I see no way to get up there. I end up climbing up to the arch, using the crack on the right. Watching an old geezer climb isn't a pretty sight, but I made it up there.

  

After climbing up and under the arch, this is about the best I could do. Now I'm too close! Oh well, you get the idea. A very pretty arch, but yes, hard to photograph. Now lets see if I can get back down in one piece!

 

As I was carefully climbing (actually sliding/scooting) down the rocks, I met a rock climber searching for some climbing hardware. Climbers use bolts and other hardware placed in strategic places so they can attach ropes. This young man was like Spiderman, climbing all over the rocks with ease. I wish I had those superpowers! He let me take his picture, which helps give perspective to the arch. Meanwhile, I had torn the back of my pants and ripped off my left rear pants pocket as I was scooting down this rock. Like I said, not a pretty sight. I was lucky that I didn't lose my wallet, which I always keep in my left rear pocket.
 

Having found and photographed Triumph Arch, I could spend the rest of the afternoon wandering around the area, taking pictures of whatever caught my fancy. The late afternoon light was making things interesting.

 

That looks like "grumpy rock" over on the right!

I spent some time practicing sun flare shots. With the sun low on the horizon, it's pretty easy. Just block out part of the sun (a solid object like a rock works best) and make your aperture as small as possible (f22 for this lens). The only challenge is the exposure. If you expose for the sky, your foreground is lost in dark shadows. If you expose on the foreground, your sky will be blown out and your sun flare will be less dramatic. The trick is to split the difference. 
 

The Joshua Tree shadow on this rock caught my eye.

The King Dome

 

Balance rock

Do you see him/her??

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PS: Why "Hall of Horrors??". I met a nice couple at the end of my hike who asked me that question, so I did a little research. It turns out, hidden deep in the rocks, is a long, narrow, high-walled "hallway". It's a fun challenge for rock climbers, especially if they have Spiderman superpowers, and it's where the area got its name. If you're claustrophobic, it's an area to be avoided!

Photo credit: MountainProject.com

Photo credit: ThatAdventureLife.com

Photo credit: www.pinterest.com.pin214695107214087598

 

I will definitely be looking for this hidden "Hall of Horrors" next time I'm in the area!

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