My friend Roger has a couple buddies who live in the desert and hike often, but had somehow never hiked NE Joshua Tree. Mind boggling to me, since I hike this area often and it's my favorite place to explore. Anyhoo, I volunteered to be the tour guide for this hike. Of course, you can't see the entire area in a single hike (not even close!), but you can hit a few of the highlights.
 |
| First stop: Scorpius Arch |
 |
| Unnamed arch. |
 |
| Mystery Arch... one of my favorites! |
 |
| Mystery Arch |
 |
| Underneath Mystery Arch |
 |
| Looking out the other end of Mystery Arch |
 |
| Motley crew: The five of us, with Mystery Arch in the background. |
 |
| Another unnamed arch. |
 |
| Roger patiently waiting to be beamed up! |
 |
| Still another unnamed arch. |
 |
| Local pictographs (dStretch enhanced) |
 |
| Hello desert friend! |
 |
| Ojo Oro Arch |
 |
| Roger getting just the right angle on Ojo Oro! |
 |
| I'm enjoying some shade under another unnamed arch. |
We were running short of daylight, but fortunately had just enough time to go by one of my favorite rock formations: Jabba Rock.  |
| See the resemblance? |
There is a way to get up to that highest alcove, but it's been a few years since I've been up there, and I'm not getting any younger. Before I knew it, one of Roger's friends had scaled the rocks and made his way up. Can you spot him? Wow, he's got some serious rock climbing skills! After great difficulty, I did manage to "climb" (crawl) to the upper alcove. Scary, but oh so worth it. The alcove is big and roomy. It would actually be a good spot to spend the night (just don't attempt to climb down in the dark!). And the views... WOW!!  |
| Did I mention the VIEWS!! |
Thus ends my "quick" tour of NE Joshua Tree. We are about out of daylight, and for some reason, none of my hiking partners are too excited about hiking back to the cars in the dark!😉 Now for the hard part: Trying to get down off Jabba Rock without falling. Check back next week to see if I'm able to make the descent and post pictures of the hike back to the cars!
Until then... thanks for stopping by,
and stay safe and warm!
...thanks for taking me along on this adventure to see the sights. I could do without the "desert friend."
ReplyDeleteIt should be Jabba *the* Rock ;) It looks like you guys had a great time out there.
ReplyDeleteWow! What a great adventure for the 'Fab Five' ~ and wonderful tour and tour guide ~ Glad you got down from Jabba Rock before the dark ~ hope so anyway ~ lol ~
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great photo tour also ~
Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka ( A Creative Harbor)
The arches are amazing and I love the photos taken underneath.
ReplyDeleteIf I were in the region, I would love to visit these spots. The rock formations and the sceneries are just exotic and unique.
ReplyDeleteGolden eye, jabba, and now you have a gang! Very cool. We are so lucky you show us all this stuff. Aloha!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely breathtaking and awesome, Love the arches.
ReplyDeleteI visited you via Skywatch Friday - 18 January 2024 Edition
My link: 14. This is a personal invite to come and join us at #WordlessWednesday (words also welcome) Wednesday - Saturday. Link under BLOGGING.
Wow, outstanding hike with great sights of various arches, aka rattlesnake bnb's. That looks like a mighty challenging climb up to the upper alcove the the Jahabba rock. I don't know much about climbing. I have climbed up rocks to get geocaches and I've learned that coming down is sometimes a lot harder.
ReplyDeleteAnother great post. I hope you get some views of the full moon tonight. I think we have 100% cloud cover here.
Jaba Rock is a great name for that area. I look forward to the next post.
ReplyDeleteDearest Peter,
ReplyDeleteThat sure was a fun and professional team to hike with.
Stunning views and great photos—as always!
Looking forward to your descent from Jabba Rock.
Hugs,
Mariette
Love, love, love the arches. Great photos!
ReplyDeleteAmazing place, Great photos.
ReplyDeleteHappy Weekend.
Magic shots.
ReplyDeleteThat is so gorgeous and funny too (#9) - thanks for sharing. You should make a big photobook, I would buy it!
ReplyDeleteCurious of pt2... Greetings from Germany
Absolutely stunning area! I loved all the photos, except the spider. Yikes! That's a lot of ambitious hiking. Hope all goes well with your descent from Jabba Rock.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos from your trip. I must laugh at your comparison with Jabba ;-) and no I don't want to say Hello to such a big spider!
ReplyDeleteGreetings
Kirsi
WOW!! Love your spectacular gallery of arches!! Although I'm not afraid of spiders, I can live very well without your desert friend, Peter.
ReplyDeleteJust when I think I've seen the best of your work, you nail my brain with these fabulous images! Jabba never looked better. And I did see your pal up there. Furry little tarantula, isn't he.
ReplyDeleteYour freidns must have been in their glory! What a place! Shot after shot.
ReplyDeleteIncredible formations. I did smile at the Jabba Rock. I am bad about seeing things in nature that aren't! But that is VERY INTERESTING. But nothing compares when all totaled to the unique and fantastic formations.. The best to you Jack & Sherry
ReplyDeleteThose rock formations are amazing! Nice pics.
ReplyDeleteThem rock formations looks like an Alien Planet to me. Nice photography as per usual. 👍👍
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful images and shapes from your nature
ReplyDeleteMother Nature is so beautiful by herself
A lot of big sky there. I love the Jabba Rock best tho! #Skywatch
ReplyDeleteI love rock arches (not many around here!) but they never look that big until you put a person beside one. A highlight of my last trip to the USA was visiting Arches National Park just as the sun rose. Beautiful :)
ReplyDeleteJabba the Rock. Thank you, Liz-love it! The rocks and arches lend themselves to so many imaginative names. How about we call the formation where Roger waited for his beam up "Transporter Room Alcove"?
ReplyDeleteIsn't nature amazing? I love those arches... Not so keen on your desert friend though... He should come with a warning!
ReplyDeleteThose formations are so unique. I want to see Joshua Tree one day. Now even more.
ReplyDeleteYou've captured some really beautiful rock formations for us to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteSince you are so familiar with this place and you are passionate about it, why don't you sign up to be a Guru Walk Guide? Just thinking off the top of my head and also I'd love to have a guide like you when I visit the park.
ReplyDeleteWorth a Thousand Words
Must´ve been a fun hike, I´d like to have you as a tour guide! Great views. I so look forward to drive through the Outback next month!
ReplyDeleteWhat a treasure trove of beautiful images the desert is. All those gates are unbelievably beautiful, and the fact that they resemble some famous figures is a bonus. I always enjoy these pictures. Great header too, by the way.
ReplyDeleteThe arches just amaze me. Really makes me wonder how much time has gone by to end up with these results. Thanks for sharing your pictures. Excellent post!
ReplyDeleteHave you ever worked as a guide here? Seems like you know this place like the back of your hand.
ReplyDeleteLovely! I love the arches. And Roger waiting to be beamed up!
ReplyDeleteBuddies , Rocks , And Little Desert Friends , Perfect
ReplyDeleteWell Done Brother ,
Cheers
The rock formations are a so fascinating. Outstanding photography as always!
ReplyDeleteThe collection of arches is stunning. One after one they make up a funny chain to hike. You surely enjoyed your day.
ReplyDeleteYou made a great guide! My virtual trip was certainly enjoyable :) I know the in-person experience must be even more so. Exhausting, though, I'm sure. I look forward to the conclusion.
ReplyDeleteWhat a really fabulous area to explore. All of the formations are so incredibly unique. I see why you love it.
ReplyDeleteVery nice monochrome with the sunburst. And those final images showing the view - breathtaking.
Looking forward to more.
The arches looks beautiful. The Jabba rock is amazing!
ReplyDeleteSome of these wonderful arches did look familiar (from your previous posts -- and no wonder it is your favorite part of JT; I loved seeing all of it again.) And since I'm catching up and reading backwards, I didn't even have to worry about your cliffhanger at the end )))
ReplyDelete