Cowboy Rock Under the Stars

 This was my second visit to Cowboy Rock. I usually prefer not to repeat hikes, but this location is so interesting and unique, I was really looking forward to it. I was also looking forward to an over-nighter in the desert. It's a long hike out to Cowboy Rock, and spending the night would give us a lot more time to explore!

We pass through a delightful Ocotillo garden on our search for Cowboy Rock.

 

Perhaps the largest Ocotillo we've ever seen!

 

The smile on our faces tells you we found it!

 

Cowboy Rock is one of the most interesting petroglyph sites in JTNP. It's also rarely seen because of it's remoteness, and people who have seen it don't share the location. In the center of the main panel is a horseback rider (although the "horse" appears to have horns) which I assume is where the Cowboy Rock name came from. Look closely to the left, and there appears to be another rider carrying a flag. It seems like with this pannel, the more you look, the more you find. There are also a few petroglyphs (including "horse" and rider) on the rock panel to the left of the main panel.

 

I think people would refer to this as a "post-contact" petroglyph panel, which would help determine the age. Women in dresses and riders on horses would make you think that contact with European explorers had already been made when this panel was created.

 

Snake and woman wearing a dress.

Shadow selfie.

 

 

Time to set up camp. Simple for me: Tarp on the ground, sleeping pad (inflatable), and sleeping bag. Pros: Lighter backpack (no tent to carry). Cons: Colder and you might wake up with a critter sharing your sleeping bag! I underestimated how cold it would be, and even sleeping with every possible piece of clothing on, I had a very cold night!

 

With my sleeping arrangements completed, it was time to wander around and catch the golden hour.

One of my favorite photos, although it was much better "in person". Just the tops of the Ocotillos were lit up by the golden hour sun.

 

It was getting dark fast. Before long, all we could see is whatever our headlamps were pointing at.

 

Mitch's kitchen: Cooking by headlamp.

With the stars rising, I decided it was time to try and capture Cowbow Rock under the stars. It was a beautiful, clear night. I had brought along a miniature tripod, and I used my headlamp to light up the glyphs. I was in for a little surprise...

The Milky Way!! Totally unplanned, so just a lucky shot, but my favorite from the hike. Ha, and you thought I was done with MW photos!! I'm wondering if anyone has ever photographed Cowboy Rock under the Milky Way? My guess would be probably not!

 

The next morning I woke up cold, stiff, and tired from lack of sleep. But this was the view from my sleeping bag. I was too cold and tired to climb out of my bag, so I took this photo with my cell phone while lying down. Now if I could just talk Mitch into bringing me over a cup of hot coffee. Talk about lazy!!

 

We really do practice the "leave it cleaner than you find it" adage. On the hike back to the car, Mitch finds a large cluster of mylar balloons tangled in a bush. We've really grown to hate these things. People release them, not realizing they can travel great distances and land in pristine places. They take years to break down and make a huge mess in the process. Please don't buy mylar balloons!

 

Packing it out. Thanks, Mitch!

 

Hope you enjoyed this over-nighter out to Cowboy Rock.

Thanks for stopping by!

Linking with Skywatch Friday.