My first visit to Samuelson's Rocks was June of 2017 (Samuelsons Rocks Part 1 and Samuelson's Rocks Part 2). Looking back on these posts, it's funny how it seemed like such a remote hike back then. Joshua Tree National Park has gotten busier and Samuelson's Rocks gets more visitors these days. It's no longer a remote hike where it's very unlikely to see another hiker. However, it's still a lovely hike and you might get lucky (like I did on this particular day) and hike all day without seeing another hiker!
It had been about 3 years since my last visit to the area. I had just finished my hike to the Quail Springs Pump House and still had an hour or two of daylight left. It was a beautiful cloudy day, perfect for landscape photography, so what the heck, lets go check out Samuleson's Rocks!
Before starting my hike over to Samuelson's Rocks, I noticed a hill with a dead Joshua tree trunk at the very top and wondered if it was a marker for something (it looked like it was carried to the top of the hill and was propped up by boulders). Hiking to the top of the hill (huffing and puffing), I didn't find anything significant other than an awesome view!
And even a hint of a rainbow!
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| Desert skies don't get much prettier than this! |
Johann Samuelson was a Swedish prospector who was one of the most colorful and/or crazy (I suspect a bit of both) characters in the early days of what is now Joshua Tree National Park. His tall tales include being shipwrecked in Africa, taken as captive deep into the jungles by natives, surviving man-eating ants, winning the affections of a beautiful tribal princess, and discovering a huge stash of gold. After a random meeting between Samuelson and Erle Stanley Gardner (who was himself an intrepid desert exporer), Gardner was so impressed with his story that he bought the publishing rights and dedicated a chapter in his book Neighborhood Frontiers to Samuelson.
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| J.S. slept here! |
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| Remains of an old corral below Samuelson's Rocks |
Thanks for joining me on this hike to one of the more unusual places in Joshua Tree National Park!
Linking with Skywatch Friday.
the clouds were really amazing that day - funny he ran into Gardner out in the desert - I'd think of him as an urban fellow
ReplyDelete...these clouds add a lot of beauty to the sky.
ReplyDeleteI can see why that's become a popular hiking destination. What a character. And those stories sound like something out of a movie, but that's likely where the movies got their inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThose are some amazing skies and some tales that strain credulity but are so much fun to hear!
ReplyDeleteNothing at the top? I know you were joking. Lots of pithy statements. Very interesting and under beautiful skies.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sky shots..
ReplyDeleteI remember an earlier post. Lonliness and the wind I guess plays with people minds to a terrible degree. We lived in Round Valley, AZ when I was a kid and in the spring they had very high winds and they about drove me crazy.
ReplyDeleteSuch a dazzling cloudscape in the desert. The carving on the rocks is indeed special. Beautiful scenery in your post as usual.
ReplyDeleteWow! What a place and what a day fo photograph ~ awesome series of photos ~ Xo
ReplyDeleteWishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Dearest Peter,
ReplyDeleteThat was a fruitful hike with indeed beautiful clouds above.
Don't know why they used the word 'envested' on that rock... It ought to be invested I guess.
Love that faint rainbow.
Hugs,
Mariette
Can't get enough of your photos. I find them therapeutic.
ReplyDeleteWorth a Thousand Words
Amazing skies, Wonderful place.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures and: what a spectacular life Samuelsen must had! I would give a lot to sleep under a desert sky just once...
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Germany
Wonderful--- He left so much of himself behind.
ReplyDeleteI remember you visiting before, it was great to revisit. I just love how the words have been left on the rocks for all to see. Stunning photos
ReplyDeleteBeautiful skies.
ReplyDeleteThanks for yet another great photo-story. Unfortunately, I never get quite so homesick for the Mojave desert as I do when I visit your site. But since I'm unlikely to get out there at least until next spring, this is like a virtual vacation. Great stuff as always.
ReplyDeleteWonderful to see these pictures
ReplyDeleteA wonderful story about Samuelson, thank you. The b&w was SO stunning!
ReplyDeleteHello Peter, I like your header image too. Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteInteresting story about Samuelson. Quite a life!
ReplyDeleteAnd a man with an active imagination. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a story (and what scenery). It sounded so familiar and I'm not sure now if I had heard about these rocks even before I read your blog. No matter. Thank you for taking us along on this hike.
ReplyDeleteFascinating post…. The skies are so dramatic ands full of emotion., Great job!
ReplyDeleteDelightful captures!
ReplyDeleteClouds are so dramatic - that last photo looks like the heavens are about to fall on the earth. Stunning :)
ReplyDeleteI love those carved stones. Just wondering how many hours it it took to do those. Written in Stone one might say.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Your skies seem to go on forever.
ReplyDeleteSamuelson sounds like quite a character. I'm glad his stories live on. Great skies in these photos and I love that hint of a rainbow.
ReplyDeleteAmazing skies and beautiful landscape.
ReplyDeleteWonderful sky and views. The first picture is great with the dead tree trunk...
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
It are not the stones of rosetta but still nice to see. Great find again.
ReplyDeleteI like that the bare Joshua tree is being held up by boulders signifying something for them to know and for us to find out. Just when that will be eons from now perhaps?
ReplyDeleteFor some reason I have been unable to comment. I hope this goes. We enjoyed the shots, VERY GOOD stuff. THANKS Sherry & jack on the first coast.
ReplyDelete