The first time I came across this arch was April of 2019. It's in an extremely remote location, but even so, I was a bit shocked to come across such a big, beautiful arch that I had never seen documented or photographed. I remembered just wandering around and finding it by luck, and thinking "what a mystery!!" Garrett's Arch claims to be the largest arch in Joshua Tree National Park, and I'm pretty sure that's an accurate claim. But the arch I'm calling "Mystery Arch" just might be the second largest in the Park. And here we are, over 3 years later, and I've still never seen a photo of this beauty posted anywhere. Pretty cool!
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| Mystery Arch! |
This photo was taken back in February of this year. I was on a hike I'll be posting about soon, and was hiking in the area of the arch as I was returning back to the car, so decided to pay it a visit. It's not often we have such beautiful skies!A little closer... One of the nice features about Mystery Arch is you can walk right up the rocks to get under the arch and enjoy the shade while taking a break. There is about 7' of ground clearance under the arch at it's highest point, so no need to bend over. The arch is most photogenic shooting N/NW, which is bad news for my friends who like to take night photos of the Milky Way.Closer still... under Mystery Arch!
Under Mystery Arch is a very special place. Total quiet, solitude, and desert beauty. If you stop here for a drink of water and a snack, you will find you don't want to leave. And I can pretty much guarantee that, if you are able to find this elusive arch, you will have the place all to yourself. If you see any human footprints in the area, they are mine!
Thanks for stopping by!!
...quiet, solitude, and desert beauty at its best. Thanks for taking me along!
ReplyDeletemakes you feel like Columbus
ReplyDeleteDearest Peter,
ReplyDeleteYou are such an excellent photographer AND writer.
It felt like sharing the excitement of actually being there, the way you managed to word it.
That must have felt incredible and indeed, no footprints from other humans...
Hugs,
Mariette
This is total awesomeness, wonderfully photographed. Still looks like snake heaven to me.
ReplyDeleteTotal quiet...
ReplyDeleteCan you hear the sound of silence? : )
Man, you live in my imagination! All of the things you have shared really expand our world. Thanks so much for voyaging out there and sharing your pics with all of us!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeleteI understand your fascination for this desert. YOur pictures are always amazing. (PS, i did a translation of the song in my blog)
ReplyDeleteTotally fascinating.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to find the out of the way places.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a dinosaur sprawled over the landscape. Luckily, you are photographing this scene that surprisingly isn't in picture books.
ReplyDeletePretty awesome!
ReplyDeleteNice wonders of nature and great pictures !
ReplyDeleteSometimes I wonder how you can find the way back from those secluded places...😉
ReplyDeleteWhat a fine place the desert is for unusual discoveries so different from what you see every day that your eye just lingers on them. As always wonderful again.
ReplyDeleteLooks amazing, great shots
ReplyDeleteI imagine you spend more time out there than most. It's exciting to see what all you come across.
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful arch and it sounds like you have all to yourself. Great photos.
ReplyDeleteIt is an impressive arch and great photos and awesome sky ~ Xo
ReplyDeleteThanks for your supportive comments about my loss of my Yorkie, Angel ~ Xo
Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Wonderful to see
ReplyDeleteWhat a superb formation. It's probably very remote that no other has been there before.
ReplyDeleteWorth a Thousand Words
Each photo was spectacular in its own way. Loved them all.
ReplyDeleteSo many beautiful treasures hidden in the desert. Thanks for sharing this beautiful Mystery arch with us.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't get much better
ReplyDeleteHidden treasures are your specialty. I always love your adventures and now places you take a break at. Peace!
ReplyDeleteWonderful place. The arch and the sky look so pretty!
ReplyDeletePhoto 2 looks like a sleeping man/giant.
Photo 3 and 4 look a bit like an owl. Okay so I am seeing things. :)
A beautiful spot. How lovely to have it all to yourself.
ReplyDeleteAn amazing spot and to have it for a bit all to yourself, priceless.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gift -- so beautiful, so quiet! It really is amazing that such places exist without a lot of tourists getting in your way. (amazing and absolutely wonderful, even though the remoteness means I'll never see it in real life.) Thanks for sharing the wonder.
ReplyDeleteReally Beautiful
ReplyDelete