It doesn't really look like a pencil to me. And who lost it?? Those are just a couple of the mysteries we hope to unravel as we hike to see if we can find this interesting and strange rock formation, and (hopefully) get a close-up look.
We've chosen a perfect day for a hike in Joshua Tree National Park. We are going somewhere in the general direction of those rocks, but there is no trail to follow. My hiking partner today is Mitch, and he seems to know where we're going, so that's good enough for me.
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| This boulder is helping us with our navigation! |
This interesting bent-over boulder is called "Aperitif Rock", so named by the rock climbers that like to climb it. Funny name... perhaps this is a climb to stimulate the appetite for bigger climbs to come?
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| Grumpy rock? Or perhaps tortoise head rock? |
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| We get our first view of Lost Pencil. Like I said, it doesn't look like a pencil to me! |
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| Hi Mitch! |
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| From this angle, it looks pretty unstable! |
This rock caught my eye because it stood out from all the other rocks in the area (mostly it's shape, relatively sharp edges, and color). Possibly a stone tool used by Native Americans? Hard to say, but I put it back on the ground where I found it and continued on.
Malapai Hill in the center of the photo. Unlike most of the surrounding hills made of granite boulders, Malapai Hill is dark-colored and volcanic in nature. It almost looks like you can see ancient lava flows!
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| Lucky break to see the moonrise through the clouds! |
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| No shortage of interesting rock formations on this hike! |
We didn't solve the mystery of the rock formation that doesn't look like a pencil and that isn't lost, but you did get an opportunity to see it up close. Hope you enjoyed this short escape out to the desert!
Thanks for stopping by!
Your love of the desert animates these wonderful creatures that you have shown us today! Thanks so much. Stay safe. Aloha
ReplyDeleteYou help us see them too
Deleteyou always find the most interesting natural "sculptures"
ReplyDeleteWonderful photography allowing me to visit. Your second last image has a Mother comforting the child, who has lost the pencil.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful photo
ReplyDelete...you made some gorgeoous images of Mother Nature's creations. Thanks for taking me along to see the sights.
ReplyDeleteIt looks more like a broken finger to me, but what do I know? It looks like it was a nice hike, anyway.
ReplyDeleteFascinating rock formations, especially the last one reminding me of dominoes about to fall.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Liz, it does look like a broken finger.
ReplyDeleteThe way you photograph the desert looks like a series of pencil arts
ReplyDeleteTop shots.
ReplyDeleteAmazing rock art by nature and you have captured all the wonderful sights beautifully!
ReplyDeleteDearest Peter,
ReplyDeleteNo, not at all the image of a lost pencil... but a beautiful rock formation.
Great photos as usual.
Hugs,
Mariette
Wonderful photos, loved your post
ReplyDeleteNature's art. ☺ Definitely not pencil-like, but still fascinating. That top rock looks ready to fall any second! Love the moon shot.
ReplyDeleteI like that last photo! Maybe someone lost their pencil when trying to sketch the rock and then declared that its name? Or they lost their pencil when climbing around it. I'd be looking for their lost pencil in the general vicinity, then if the pencil is found, the rock could be named more appropriately.
ReplyDeleteI had the distinct feeling that a roadrunner was going to stick his head around one of those rocks. The last roadrunner I saw was in Carlsbad, of all places. Exquisite pictures, and a fine narration.
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots of that strange pile of rocks.
ReplyDeleteMYstic rocks! What a trek you are having! There are plethora of opportunities for timelapse capture alongside exporation
ReplyDeleteMaybe the one who named it simply lost hi s pencil there. It looks like a pharaoh sitting on a throne complete with a big tall crown on his head. Wonderful photos. I would never tire of visiting a place like that.
ReplyDeleteI was hoping Mitch would capture a photo of you on top of the lost pencil!
ReplyDeleteHa ha! Although I'm sure rock climbers do it, you will never catch me climbing that precarious rock!
DeleteSome strange rock formations you came across, Lost pencil reminded me of an Easter Island statue from the first angle and looked like it could fall over in another shot. Grumopy sums up another rock. Second to last looks like a guy wearing a flat hat and the last oen splaed fingers. As ever stunning photos of the desert
ReplyDeleteTortoise is a good name for that one rock, it reminds me of the endangered gopher tortoises we have here (in SW Florida). The formations capture the imagination -- and sometimes the first person to name them had imaginations that varied from ours. That's OK with me though (even if they were wrong, haha!)
ReplyDeleteHay que fijarse bien, en lo que aparece a lo largo del recorrido, para no perderse al regresar.
ReplyDeletePreciosa formaciones rocosas y muy bonitas las vistas de tus fotografÃas.
Feliz fin de semana.
I would call formation #3 Pushover Rock. Formation #2 I would call Bear Rolling on Ground. And I agree with you that Pencil Rock doesn't look anything like a pencil but I don't have a good name for it. But it's great that we all have different imaginations. Makes the world interesting!
ReplyDeleteWow, what an intriguing adventure you're embarking on! The mystery of the strange rock formation, coupled with the beautiful backdrop of Joshua Tree National Park, makes for an exciting hike indeed. The lack of a trail adds an element of exploration and discovery to the journey, and having Mitch as a knowledgeable companion must be reassuring. "Aperitif Rock" certainly has a whimsical name that sparks curiosity. I wonder what stories lie behind its unique shape and how it got its moniker.
ReplyDeleteI have a new post, I invite you to read.
Such beautiful photos make the mystery so enjoyable. A few of those rocks look like they could come crashing down and do some serious damage. Great sky is so many of these photos.
ReplyDeleteI cannot get enough of these scenes. Keep them coming.
ReplyDeleteVisiting from Skywatch Friday group.
Worth a Thousand Words
A pleasant hike.
ReplyDeleteSpectacular rock-sculptures and photos. Wanna not be there, when one of it comes down...
ReplyDeleteThe last photo is awesome!
Fantastic header and wonderful rock formations again. The name escapes me a bit.
ReplyDeleteI can see lots of things when I look at rock formations but the pencil is not quite straight enough! I love seeing what you see and I know you would like going down in the canal diggings here to see the crazy rock formations along the trails. Enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment.
ReplyDeleteI am again impressed by the great landscape and the huge rocks.
Awesome rock formations and wonderful sky shots ~ another fantastic hike with you and even Mitch ~ lol ~ thanks,
ReplyDeleteWishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Your hiking impressions always blow me away. I looove these colors and surroundings very much and enjoy your interesting stories about your hikes.
ReplyDeleteWOW and THANKS. Even being in the cellar for so long health wise, this makes my thoughts sing. I cannot get over nature, and you catch it so well. I see more and more formations and think I must have seen them all then you simply show the Grumpy rock and I smile, then rocks like dominoes. Love it and again thanks for displaying such talent, in artistry and ability to catch the perfect shot.
ReplyDeleteFrom NC
I am in awe of these photos. Now I really want to go to Joshua Tree.
ReplyDeleteCurious rocks in that last shot.
ReplyDeleteAnother terrific hike. All of the photographs are simply outstanding. You sure have some great landscape potential in that area. My son, the geologist, would be drooling if he saw those formations.
ReplyDeleteIt does not look like a pencil. Definitely. 😄
ReplyDelete