Thursday, September 15, 2022

Elephant Arches

 "Garrett's Arch and Elephant Arches are the most difficult locations to find in this book, especially Elephant Arches. Wandering this deep into the Wonderland should only be attempted by those with considerable experience in navigating rocky terrain, and preferably those already familiar with this part of the Wonderland. Those who do brave the labyrinth of granite will be rewarded wth the finest wilderness experience that Joshua Tree can offer."
Joshua Tree National Park: The Insider's Guide by Robert Miramontes
 
When Robert talks about difficult locations, you had better listen. He's not one to exaggerate. So let's see if we can find Elephant Arches. I'm hiking with Mitch and Roger, and I try to set expectations realistically at the start of the hike. I know where the arch is. I just don't know if we can physically get to it. I give us at best a 50/50 chance.
Distance is not the issue with this hike. After proceeding up the Wonderland Wash, it's a relatively short distance following an obscure wash to Elephant Arches. The issue is the wash itselt, which is difficult to navigate. It's narrow, full of boulders, and surrounded on both sides by steep granite walls. The bottom of the wash is overgrown with all manner of sticky thorny things that want to poke you and make you bleed. Bushwhacking in the desert is not fun!

In the areas where the rocks are too steep to navigate (which is much of the wash), you have no choice but to bushwhack. Navigating the steep, slippery rocks has its own set of challenges and dangers.
 
After nearly turning back, we spot Elephant Arches. I can see the elephant resemblance, with the head and eye on the upper left and the long trunk flowing diagonally down and to the right. But I wonder why "arches" and not Elephant Arch?. We make our way down off the rocks to take a closer look.
Much of the ground is covered by prickly pear cactus which makes it almost impossible to walk around the base of the arch and find good camera angles. We decide to climb up on the rocks for some photos.
 
From this angle, it's a beautiful arch, and you are only seeing about half of it. See the scrub oak on the lower left? That's hiding the view of the rest of the arch. We later discover the opening goes all the way to the ground! Garrett's arch is claimed to be the largest arch in JTNP, but I'm thinking Elephant Arches may be the bigger of the two. They are difficult to compare: Garrett's with a more traditional arch shape and round opening, and Elephant Arches with its long, diagonal opening.
 
Roger for size perspective. Hang on, Roger!

Yours truly. My new favorite arch!
 
I decide to try to carefully slide down the rocks on the other side of the oak tree to see what the arch looks like at its base and am rewarded with a major surprise:
Amazingly, the arch splits in two! You can't see the spit when viewed from the side. Now the name Elephant Arches makes more sense!
 
What an amazing and unique arch!
 
We decide it's time to start the challenging hike/climb back. We know what to expect, so the climb out didn't seem to be quite as bad as the climb in. The rock formations and late afternoon light are a thing of beauty!
 
Mitch up on the rocks under Monsoon skies.
 



As if seeing Elephant Arches wasn't enough, we are treated to an amazing sunset on the hike out.
 
My favorite photo of the hike. Earlier in the day, this area was dry. Then a thunderstorm moved through, lasting about 45 minutes, and creating this beautiful little stream. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time to see it in the late afternoon light. Beautiful!
 
Mitch, Roger and I decide our nickname for Elephant Arches is "One-and-Done Arch." Or perhaps "Never Again Arch." It was so difficult, we agreed that we don't want to do it again. And yet it's funny how time softens our memories. If I ask them in a month or two if they want to go back, I know what their answer will be.
 
Thanks for joining me on this really fun adventure!
Linking with Skywatch Friday.

33 comments:

  1. What can I say only I really admire your tenacity in getting there, Trying to negotiate some of those obstacles must have been frustrating especially with nothing to cut a way through. The end reward was justified though I can see why you would not want to try again. The sunset at the end must have been the cherry on the cake Awesome

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  2. You gentlemen are tough as all get out. Sorry thorny, spiky things that want to hurt me make me turn around and high tail it home. As always fascinating story and photos. Thanks for letting me in on the beauty w/o the pain.

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  3. Enjoyed reading your post and am happy you found the two arches. The stream is so pretty, but what gets me most in your photos this time is the Old Man face in the big rock on the centre left of the first sunset photo (after the monsoon clouds). It just jumps out at me every time I look!
    Thanks for sharing your adventures with us :)

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  4. You'd have to park me on a rock and come back and get me! lol But I do love these arches and the faces I can see in the boulders! AMAZING! Get out while you are young and can make these hard hikes. And yes....I think anyone under 70 is young now! lol

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  5. ...a bit of rain can make all the difference in this surreal landscape. Thanks for taking me along.

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  6. Your explanation and description makes the hike very interesting. The elephant 🐘 is quite clearly seen, after all. 😊👍

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  7. That split, and so many other images here are iconic! I appreciate your post very much

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  8. Again, you the intrepid explorer goes deep into the desert and scores a find. What an adventure you and your friends had.

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  9. These arches are just amazing to see. They would be fantastic for an astrolandscape shots too. I suspect any mountain lions in the area?

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    1. Thanks! I've never seen one, but I did find a bighorn sheep carcass (recent kill) in this area. Park Service Ranger verified it was likely a mountain lion kill. Search my blog for "mountain lion" and I think it will come up.

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  10. And bushwhacking is why one shouldn't wear shorts on a hike. Yikes. Just show those pictures the next time you consider going out there again. But beautiful.

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  11. I like14th and 15th the best. Fantastic colors and great sunbeams. The arch is also very nice.

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  12. Dearest Peter,
    That was indeed quite an adventure for all three of you and a very rewarding one on many ways.
    Excellent photos.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  13. Wow! That hike is for professionals. Thanks for the photos.

    Worth a Thousand Words

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  14. Wonderland Wash sounds so... wonderful!
    Yes, I remember Spinifex grass, looks so cuddly, scratches your legs...
    Great pic of the splitting! And such dramatic skies, beautiful scenery.
    Poor Elephant, you´ll never pop by again, it seems. Or... maybe bring a little present for "him" next time ;-)

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  15. That was a challenging hike. Your favorite photo is my favorite too. The sunset shots are amazing too.

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  16. Wow--- the sky, the rocks, the water--- so much to amaze. I think I've mentioned that I tend to see faces in things, and the 14th picture has Santa Claus in a reclining head shot, just below the sunset --- on the left. What an adventure!

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  17. What a beautiful trip again. Great work with a lot of memorable memories in pictures and a real struggle to reach your goal.

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  18. If you look at the photograph five images from the bottom, the boulders look like Rip Van Wrinkle sleeping or should I say snoring. LOL! Elephant Arches does suit the name and what a long narrow one that splits at the bottom. You go guys! Amazing hike! Roughest one.

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  19. Wonderful journal of finding the arches...and how hard it was to get there, plus I notice Roger was in shorts...not a good thing in brambles and cactuses! Cacti? Anyway these are fantastic photos, and I know you culled through a lot more to find just these to share!

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  20. You earned that magnificent sunset ~ Wow ~ what a hike but fantastic arches ~ amazing what nature creates ~ Bravo to you ~ Xo

    Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days ~

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  21. What bold and beautiful boulders. That sudden stream in the afternoon light is a magical moment of nature. Funny how time softens some memories and enhances others.

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  22. Rich memories here - the split arch, the unexpected water, the sunset. Yes, you'll forget the cactus and the slippery rocks. They will recede into a soft memory of wonders. Something tells me you'll be back one day.

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  23. Oh my gosh! I don't even have the words for this hike -- that split that you found unexpectedly is heart-stopping. And Elephant Arches is the perfect name for this amazing formation (although I certainly can understand your nickname "never again" too.) And then the sky! Beautiful as always in the perfect light and that you caught the rare water flowing -- it is lovely. Thanks for sharing especially since our nickname for this wonder would have to be "never could" !!

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  24. Amazing photos. I love the skies :-D

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  25. gorgeous. you are officially in a top form.

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  26. I worry about sudden storms and you all being caught in a wash. But you obviously know what you're doing and I chronically fuss. It is an amazing arch. I wonder how long it took for the weather to create that and how much longer it will stand. The rays from the sun in the sky series were awesome. Thank you for another hike.

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  27. Thanks for treating us to gorgeous scenery and a splendid sunset.

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  28. "those with considerable experience in navigating rocky terrain, and preferably those already familiar with this part of the Wonderland" Well, that leaves me out lol, so I'm grateful for your photos :) Amazing! And your sky photos are gorgeous.

    I can't help but imagine some see the warnings as challenges and wonder how many get lost and have difficulty finding their way back having not found their way there.

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  29. This looks like an arduous hike! It also looked so rewarding.to see and photograph those unique arches. I'm sure traveling over those boulders wasn't easy. . Seeing the stream later on and then a gorgeous sunset.was certainly a nice bonus!

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