I almost didn't do this hike. I found myself with a free afternoon and decided last minute to go for a hike. We had had recent rain during an otherwise dry year, and I was thinking how nice it would be to see water in the desert. I decided to check out Surprise Tank, which is a short hike and, in theory, should be perfect since I only had a few hours. I've posted about it at least twice before. Most times it's dry, sometimes it's a mudpuddle, and rarely it's full. Let's go check it out.
After stepping out of the car, I got a huge blast of cold air. Really cold! I didn't expect it to be nearly this cold and windy when I left 29 Palms. I didn't have gloves or a knit hat, so not well prepared for a cold weather hike. I decided to proceed, rationalizing that I can always turn back if I get too cold.
Turns out I got lucky. After hiking about 1/2 mile, I noticed the wind had died down and the hiking was comfortable. And a big bonus: The sky and clouds were gorgeous!
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...these images are magical, particularly the water!
ReplyDeleteYep, these images are magical. The tank is a jewel in the desert. It looks like such back breaking work building the dam.
ReplyDeleteGreat post
Wow, wow, wow, what is more beautiful than nature! My very favorite is your second view. Glad the weather worked with you. After having lived in Calif. I know it can become very cold in deserts! By the way, thanks for your comments about pottery. Am hanging in there, knowing the beginner's phase will pass, lol.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your blog each week and you never disappoint, the photos are just stunning and the fact you found the tank almost full must have been the icing on the cake for you. The clouds really set the scenery off. The first photo reminds me of a dragon resting its head on the rocks
ReplyDeleteGood thing you could go out there after the rain. Nice to see it full.
ReplyDeleteAnother amazing trip into the desert - love the photos
ReplyDeleteWow you are my hero!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful details of the beautiful
ReplyDeleteThat "otherworldly" photo certainly looks like it belongs to another planet!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the wind dropped for you and you got to see the Tank filled up like this, as I imagine it doesn't remain that way for very long :)
Great shots.
ReplyDeleteWell worth the hike.
ReplyDeleteAll these are beautiful captures.
ReplyDeleteSurprise tank is amazing surrounded with rock formations.
Have a great day!
You have some really beautiful photos in this posting. Love the desert rock formations - simply beautify and as you said the sky turned out excellent.
ReplyDeleteGlad you made the last-minute choice to go on this hike! Such a different look to the site with water! And I love the reflections in the water.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful vivid colors.
ReplyDeleteWow, very, very beautiful pictures, glad you went and thank you for sharing, oh, I do get "homesick"!
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your shots of the desert landscape, but having water in the scene adds another dimension to the beauty.
ReplyDeleteThe water makes this spot amazing-- but it's the rocks kissing in the photo immediately following the last one of the tank that really got me.
ReplyDeleteWater and desert. Not the first thing coming your mind. Wondering how does desert sound like. It sure looks good. That´s down to a photographer. A good photographer.
ReplyDeleteAwesome shots and what a surprice to find that "water tank" in the middle of the stoney dessert. Enjoy the coming weekend and thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWater in the desert a great surprise indeed.
ReplyDeleteWater in the desert isn't something I'd expect, and that juniper has a great spot :)
ReplyDeleteWe always enjoy visiting, today I don't feel too much like commenting, so I am canning my comment, and pasting after I read.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your patience.
jack with Sherry watching LOL she reads but will not comment. LOL I think that makes her a lurker! ;-) But a sweet one... Always amazing shots!
Amazing photos!! Finding water in the desert isn't something I'd expect, so the name surprise tank is fitting.
ReplyDeleteOtherworldly describes it perfectly, but it is our world so that is quite amazing. The road home looks like your header shot on another day. :)
ReplyDeleteWow! These are awesome photos ~ beautiful reflections in the water ~ So glad you trusted yourself and followed through despite the cold ~ Fantastic photos! Xo
ReplyDeleteWishing you laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Is that a mirage? Water. A beautiful day on the trail. At least, it looks hot.
ReplyDeleteI may have mentioned it before, but needs to be reiterated over and over again: You live in Paradise my friend.
ReplyDeleteWorth a Thousand Words
One of the under-recognized benefits of living in the desert is that one really learns to appreciate rare occurrences of water. These photos are, as always, spectacular. I'm glad it didn't stay cold so you had a chance to finish your hike.
ReplyDeleteEverything was fantastic - the rocks, the clouds, the blue sky, and, best of all, the rare view of water. Glad you didn't turn back - a gamble well done.
ReplyDeleteGlad you decided to go on the hike. A perfect timing for the hike. Beautiful sky and photos. Its a beautiful full tank.
ReplyDeleteAmazing images indeed!
ReplyDeleteEl tiempo, es variable, de unas horas a otras, puede refrescar o hacer calor y eso favorece, que haya muchos constipados.
ReplyDeleteHa merecido la pena, hacer la caminata, porque has encontrado la luz ideal y unas nubes bastante interesantes, que favorecen las fotgrafÃas.
FelÃz fin de semana.
Dearest Peter,
ReplyDeleteSo glad the weather changed for your benefit and the sky, as is evident in you stunning photos, was even better!
Can't help but see animal faces or heads in some of the stones, like the 1st and the 5th image.
Hugs,
Mariette
That water hidden among all those rocks is a sight to see. Just gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteAs always beautiful photos! The sky and the clouds are wonderful. The hidden water was a jewel in the desert.
ReplyDeleteWow.... lovely pics of those rocks, and a hillock used during the World War.
ReplyDeleteGreetings and Salutations! Clap. Clapping. Still clapping. Wow and wowza!
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are beautiful! Spectacular scenery.
ReplyDeleteLook at that Tank -- full of water, gorgeous! And so much beauty in the perfect light! So glad you didn't let the cold turn you back. I've read that you should dress for five or ten degrees warmer than it is when you hike and I think that was meant to say exercise would warm you up -- but it seems like it could be really bad advice in changeable weather. This time it worked out perfectly. Thank you for sharing this beautiful hike.
ReplyDeleteWow, great photos! What a luck, that you made this hike.
ReplyDeleteIn the first I see the head of a dog...
You are truly fortunate to live near sich beautiful views and interesting trails to explore!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures! Beautiful colours!
ReplyDeleteno matter how "stressy" 'stuff' may seem . . a visit to your blog . . is the answer.
ReplyDeletePeace . . . and, even when you tell me it's chilly or windy - here. it's warmth and hope . . and, Oh! I enjoyed visiting the 2017 post . . amazing. Thank you. 💙
Such a nice comment. Thanks you so much!!
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