This hike was near perfection: A location with abundant cultural artifacts, beautiful desert scenery, and gorgeous skies. What more could I possibly ask for?! It had been a couple years since my last visit to this site and I was anxious to see it again. I was hiking with three trusted friends (who I knew would not share location information) who have logged more hiking hours in Joshua Tree National Park than anyone I know. Even after thousands of hours of hiking time, none of them had ever seen this site.
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| Pretty skies and a perfect day for a hike in the desert! |
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| Yellow blooming Cinchweed carpeting the ground. |
An amazing find! A fellow hiker had found this obsidian arrowhead on his last hike in the area. We made a short diversion to see if we could find it again. Arrowheads are extremely rare in Joshua Tree, and obsidian is not native to the area, so this is a very special find. This one has a little section broken off where my finger is pointing.
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| More Cinchweed under a pretty sky. |
Pottery sherds are often seen at this site. This is the largest piece we found on this hike. Based on the gently sloping curve, it must have been part of a very large piece of pottery (perhaps an olla).
Ah, there it is!!! On my last hike to this site, I looked ALL OVER for this grinding slick and never found it. It's on a large boulder inside a shelter. On this hike, I stumbled across it totally by accident! I wonder what type of food preparation went on here? There are actually two very visible slicks on this boulder (see below). Amazing to think about how much grinding must have occurred over the years to smooth out the rocks like this!
I consider this area to be one large site, likely a seasonal site used by Native Americans many times over the years. Within this site, there are three rock art locations that I've come across (and likely others that have escaped me). The photo above (using dStretch to enhance color) is one I call "Children's Cave". It has a very small opening (too small for an adult) with pictographs inside, including what look like fingerprints and handprints. The handprints are quite small.
Roger next to "Children's Cave". Dstretch does funny things to peoples skin!
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| Star within a sun. |
Close to "Children's Cave" is a second pannel with some really interesting pictographs (photos above and below). Saving the best for last, we head over to the Cave of the White Orbs.
Getting into the cave is not easy, especially for old farts (of which I am one!). Here's Mitch & Roger (in the shadows), checking things out. Not only is it cramped, but it's dark, making it hard to photograph.
The inside of this small cave-like area is full of interesting and unique pictographs, but it's the hanging orbs that steal the show! Interesting that two of the orbs are solid white, and the other two are outlined on the inside with red pigment. After seeing this site, you're left with a sense of awe. You can't help but wonder what it all means, but to guess at the meaning feels like it somehow trivializes the work done by the People who created these pictographs all those years ago.  |
| Mitch & I hiking back. Note: This photo is nowhere near the actual site. |
**Please respect cultural sites. Look and photograph, but don't touch. Leave pottery sherds and similar artifacts as and where you find them.**
Thanks for stopping by!!
...you captured some gorgeous skies and you sure get into your work! Takes for taking me along to see the sights.
ReplyDeleteThat obsidian arrowhead is a wonderful find. I am glad that you and predecessors left it, and the other items you found, where you found them.
ReplyDeleteThe rock art is fabulous and the slicks also. And I'm glad the nest of rattle snakes let you take photos on unharmed.
You find very interesting things.
ReplyDeleteYour secret is safe with me. : )
Your words are perhaps even more meaningful than these fabulous photos. Thank you for the privilege of being brought along. Aloha!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous. Did you at least tell the official-type park people about it? I mean, I understand not telling the general public. We can't be trusted. But I'm sure researchers and academics would love that site.
ReplyDeleteAnother hike with beautfiul skies and some interesting finds. I specially like that obsidian arrowhead.
ReplyDeleteWow! Gorgeous photography of the desert and sky ~ also always fascinated by the pictographs ~ intriguing ~ thanks,
ReplyDeleteWishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Dearest Peter,
ReplyDeleteYou all three got very lucky with such perfect weather indeed.
Interesting finds as well.
Hugs,
Mariette
So interesting. Great shots.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeleteAmazing history! Beautifully photographed!
ReplyDeleteJust amazing. Lovely photos too.
ReplyDeleteWonderful documentation. I love the way the program brings out the otherwise hard-to-see petroglyphs.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the interesting place and views and findings. You really had a nice enjoyable hike.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for letting us participate in this beautiful exploration of the desert. This way we can experience what, after all, is reserved for few.
ReplyDeleteTaking the time to explore and sometimes getting into precarious places is well worth it when you get to see what you and your friends see! I am sure the majority of hikers that go into these areas just pass on by never knowing what actually exists around them. Thank you for sharing these views of amazing treasures.
ReplyDeleteWonderful, Great series of photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing
One day I want to visit Joshua Tree. Your photos make me dream even more.
ReplyDeleteJoshua Tree, Aha!
ReplyDeleteLovely vignettes, Peter. Thanks for taking us along.
I look forward to your photographic jaunts and enjoy them vicariously. You ended with a fab photo -- perfect with the halo around the tree.
ReplyDeleteYour care in obscuring your location says a lot. I would never have considered the importance of doing that. I can't imagine the treat of finding such a small artefact a second time.
ReplyDeleteI had a sudden moment of fear, thinking how as small as I am I might be able to fit in that cave and then feeling what it might be like to get stuck trying it. Yikes!
Thank you once again for taking us along on your hikes. I love how you always try to teach respect for sites and artifacts. Fabulous finds, and scenery so different from that of where I live.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful hike. You always find the most interesting things. Your photos are beautiful and I thank you for sharing. Have a nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy seeing your adventures and appreciate your skill with photography. The respect you have for this area is awesome!
ReplyDeleteIs there some kind of reporting protocol when artifacts are found in Joshua Tree?
ReplyDeleteNever been in cave. Hopefully when I go to Southwest corner of Oregon. I will get a chance to see there caves.
ReplyDeleteHow do you know where to find these artifacts/pictographs. I really have to put this in my list to visit very soon, perhaps not deep into the park like you do. I'll probably get your input on what a newbie like me should see.
ReplyDeleteWorth a Thousand Words
Interesting post! I can imagine children crawling into a cave and drawing on the walls. How neat to see that!
ReplyDeleteExploring the desert landscape and discovering cultural artifacts like the obsidian arrowhead and the grinding slick adds a fascinating layer to your hiking experience. The uniqueness of finding an obsidian arrowhead in Joshua Tree National Park, where obsidian isn't native, makes it even more special. The grinding slick you stumbled upon adds to the mystery of the site, inviting contemplation about the activities that took place there.
ReplyDeleteHiking with friends who share the appreciation for such discoveries enhances the joy of the journey.
What a terrific experience!
ReplyDeleteThe photographs of the area are superb. I'm thinking it's better to not know the meaning of the pictographs. That way, your imagination can be unlimited.
If I'm ever out in that area again I'd like to visit Joshua Tree. Your posts makes it see like a "must see" destination.
ReplyDeleteMan o Man, love the shots especially inside the children's cave. That color always amazes me, how it stays...... Fascinating for sure. Oh and the spindly cactus are so amazing. Thanks' for taking us a long.
ReplyDeleteFrom a cool Florida...
Sherry & jack
I absolutely love the respect you have for your finds and share! I sadly doubt it would be the same in Germany.
ReplyDeleteAnd all the fun you had! And - I have to clarify come tomorrow... somehow Native Americans made it onto DDR-Puffreis! (see my last post, if you like.
Fantastic hike! Stunning photos and amazing finds, especially the cave of the White Orbs.
ReplyDeleteHello SP & P,
ReplyDeleteIt's always exhilarating to read about adventures that blend natural beauty with cultural significance, and your experience in Joshua Tree National Park seems to have offered just that. The way you describe the desert scenery and the sky paints a vivid picture. What's particularly intriguing is your respectful approach to exploring and interpreting these ancient sites. The "Children's Cave," with its small opening and the intricate pictographs, sounds like a hidden gem, holding centuries of history and stories untold. Your use of dStretch to enhance the colors of the pictographs adds a technical dimension to your exploration, showcasing your commitment to understanding these artifacts while preserving their integrity. Your mention of the "hanging orbs," especially the ones with unique white and red pigments, adds an element of mystery and wonder to your narrative. It's admirable how you acknowledge the significance of these artifacts and the people who created them, respecting their history without attempting to impose modern interpretations on them. Overall, your post is not just a recount of a hiking adventure but a thoughtful reflection on the intersections of nature, history, and culture. It's a reminder of the many layers of history that surround us and the importance of respecting and preserving these treasures. Thank you for sharing such a fascinating experience!
John