Thursday, March 10, 2022

Majestic and Shadow Arches

 When my friend Mitch invited me to join him on a hike to Majestic Arch, I was all in! It had been a while since I had visited, and it's always a challenging hike/climb to get up to the arch. Another big plus: Mitch's friend Kevin would be joining us. I had never met Kevin, but he is a local legend in Joshua Tree, and is one of the most accomplished hikers/climbers/photographers in the area. He's also authored one of the best hiking guidebooks out there (40 Classic Day Hikes of Joshua Tree National Park). 

I didn't take a single photo until after making the climb up to Majestic Arch. This is looking back at the route we had taken. It gives you a good feel for the ruggedness of the terrain. 

Majestic Arch, in all her glory!

 


You can crawl under the arch, and there's a shallow cave that goes back into the rocks. From here, the two openings under the arch remind me of eyes... as if I'm looking out through some prehistoric skull!

The views from Majestic Arch are excellent. About the only plant life up here are these little stunted green plants, barely clinging to life. Juniper, or Pinion Pine perhaps? They remind me of little Bonsai trees!

Kevin (on right) and I discussing matters of great importance!

Kevin & Mitch
 
We reluctantly decide it's time to leave Majestic Arch and agree to try climbing down the west facing rocks (we had come up on the east side). No photos here either. I personally was just focusing on getting down without killing myself! The west side is steeper but shorter. After a successful descent, we pass "Alien Arch" (below).
 
Mitch discovers this weird ground-level arch. From this angle, you can't even tell it's an arch. Note Mitch under the arch taking pictures (he blends in). 
 

From underneath, this arch has a very alien feel to it!
 
Rather than head straight back to the cars, we decide to take a small detour to visit Shadow Arch. On the way there, we come across this interesting arch (or double-arch).
  
We also happen upon this shell from a desert tortoise. Unfortunately, these are fairly common to find, but actual living tortoises are very rare. I can only surmise that their populations are on the decline.
 
After a bit more looking, we find Shadow Arch. This is the view of the arch looking south. I ask Kevin and Mitch if it might be possible for them to climb up there so I can take their picture. It was meant as a joke.
 

Kevin make the climb up with ease. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, given his extensive background in rock climbing.
 
Mitch gets an "A" for effort, but quickly determines the risk outweighs the rewards. I can tell just by looking at it, it's beyond my abilities!
 
 
Late afternoon golden light on Shadow Arch, looking north.
 
Smoke Tree
 
Linking with Skywatch Friday.
Thanks for stopping by!!


38 comments:

  1. You always have such a great eye for composition

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  2. Another great trip for photos! I love them all and can "see" things in almost every one of them.

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  3. As usual, absolutely gorgeous stuff. And both the California and Nevada desert tortoises are either endangered or threatened. One used to live in the back yard of our Reno family members, and lasted longer than any of the humans!

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  4. Lost for words as usual, such beauty you captured there

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  5. ...I have NEVER seen anyone show a barren landscape so beautifully!

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  6. Dearest Peter,
    Wow, you found a special companion for making this hike.
    Kudos for Kevin for publishing such a nice and interesting looking book, no doubt with excellent photos. Being a self publisher of a 'mushroom' book we know about all the effort that goes into that. Foremost PASSION for the job.
    Kevin's ability for climbing that daring Shadow Arch might be due to his long and slender legs...
    Thanks for taking your readers along on such exciting trips with excellent photos!
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  7. Another great adventure from you. Great photos, lots of arches, and I guess the snakes had other things to do.

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  8. Nice to be out with a well-known guy:) The angles of our captures are spectacular! Always favor the views of the underside of things:)

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  9. I can see why you might want to focus on the hike more than the pictures. But you still got some great shots.

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  10. These rocks are incredible and your photos are amazing.

    Worth a Thousand Words

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  11. Beautiful photos! Both Majestic and Shadow Arch are fascinating erosion structures. I can see how arduous that hike was from all the rocks you had to climb. It must be wonderful to have a guide such as Kevin along for the hike. In Colorado, his equivalent would be John Fielder as far as photography expertise.

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  12. Thanks for blogging to share this great blog for me to find out.
    Cock Fight

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  13. I wish I could only do one of these hikes.... :-)

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  14. To me the arch looks a bit like my King Frog leaning on a rock!
    Yes, down is always more difficult...huhhhh.
    Nature sure shows art again.
    And a "thinker", too!
    I would never expect a tortoise there.
    A romantic pic with your friend sitting there.
    Thank you, this was great.

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  15. I expected that smoke tree to start talking... Great post, as always, Peter.

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  16. "Majestic" is indeed the word to describe that landscape. I once walked in the Alps with a rock-climber, he thought nothing of free-climbing up to salvage bits of climbing hardware left by other climbers - I hated to even watch him.

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  17. Another bunch of incredible photo's. You are really blessed with such friends and such a landscape.

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  18. The arches are absolutely beautiful. Fantastic photos!

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  19. The landscape is so rough. I'll bet the right shoes are a definite requirement. It's a shame to hear the shells are common but living tortoise not :( I hate to think of the species we are losing.

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  20. Great shots, as always. I´m gonna go with the black n´ white this time.

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  21. Wow! What fantastic photography of arches ~ Brave men ~ what a trek ~ Kudos to you ~ bet you slept well that night ~ Xo

    Wishing you love and peace in your days,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  22. That is a lot of arches in one day! Fantastic photos. Some of those formations do have an alien look to them. Like they are the remains of some giant extra-terrestrial creature from eons ago.

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  23. The black and white photo looked like an alien tortoise and the fact that you found the shell of a real one later on in the post - hmmm. Am I onto something? Also, let me guess - Kevin's 50 Hikes would all be too much for me. So thank you, all three of you, for allowing me to enjoy the beauty from my nice and comfy living room sofa. Enjoyable post, as always.

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  24. Wonderful compositions and landscapes!

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  25. Amazing photography. Loved the post.

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  26. All amazing captures but my favorite is the black and white!

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  27. Exciting and dangerous hike but so rewarding with such beautiful photos from the hike.

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  28. Fantastic photos and it's so wonderful you could get out on the trails and rocks with a few experienced friends. The photo that follows the photo of the bonsai reminds me of a dinosaur. Or at least how some dinosaurs are depicted in drawings and movies.

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  29. Gorgeous scenery as always! I really like your black and white with the sunburst! The arch is fantastic! It's very nice you were able to meet Kevin, too!

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  31. Remarkable how those huge rocky formations are shaped like monster-sized creatures from another age. Sadly, the lovely tortoise shell was empty perhaps due to dryness there.

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  32. gorgeous! it is so nice to have a friend who is into the same thing.

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  33. Great hike and how nice to meet another Joshua Tree expert (and skilled rock climber -- my gosh!).... Looks like the day was perfect. As are your pictures! Thank you for sharing.

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