We decided to revist Jabba Rock in the late afternoon, this time with long lenses to (hopefully) capture golden hour light on the rocks in the area. Since we've hiked to Jabba Rock a few times, I spent some time on Google Earth putting together a new route that included some unhiked sections. It was a good idea, because we ended up seeing some new arches and windows that we hadn't seen before. About 4 months ago I was hiking in this general area and noticed a profusion of green vines covering the plants. The vine-covered plants were almost totally limited to the washes, and I'm guessing it's a parasitic plant that grows very quickly after a rain. Fast forward about 4 months. See all the yellow stuff in the photo above? That same green vine is dead and is now orange in color. Sadly, it's still covering the plants, many of which appear to have died. Look at all those holes eroded in the rocks! That's one of the reasons we like hiking out here. As the rock erodes and the holes get bigger, they turn into alcoves, caves and arches.
 |
| Case in point: A nice alcove. Let's climb up and take a look. |
 |
| Mitch relaxing, enjoying the shade and the view from inside the alcove! |
Strange find of the day: I come across this old enamel container in a rocky shelter. Perhaps used as a water cache? Much too heavy to carry in on a hike to this very remote area. I'm reminded that, prior to this area being designated as wilderness, people used to explore these rocky hills and sandy washes by jeep and set up camp.
 |
| Fortune Cookie Arch, which turns out to be harder to get to than I remembered! |
 |
| Steep climb up to Fortune Cookie Arch. |
 |
| A well deserved rest after the climb up! |
 |
| Wonderful views from inside Fortune Cookie Arch |
 |
| Those rocks remind me of a scout salute. |
 |
| I've never seen this one before. Shark Fin seems like a good name! |
We finally make it to our primary destination (Jabba Rock). I'm using this photo from a previous visit since I forgot to take one from here on this hike. We're going to be attempting to climb up to Jabba's hut (or should it be Hutt?), which is that alcove at the very top. I've done it before, but as I get older, for some strange reason the climb gets harder!🤣 It's not quite as bad as it looks, since we will take an approach on the back side of the rock.
 |
| Even this approach is steep, and I'm happy to have made it in one piece! |
 |
| From inside Jabba's hut. |
 |
| Mitch in silhouette, with the moon |
 |
| Some amazing views from atop Jabba Rock (wide angle lens). |
 |
| The view toward the Coxcomb Mountains (telephoto lens). |
And is often the case, some of my favorite photos are taken during the return hike and after the sun has set. This was the last photo of the day!
Thanks for joining me on another desert adventure!!
Awesome photos, the one of Mitch stood in silhouette looks a bit like one of the Starwars charters on the battle cruisers
ReplyDeleteGreat photos - from your comment about "wilderness areas" I am assuming no vehicles allowed. Right?
ReplyDeleteSome spectacular views.
ReplyDeleteYou and Mitch always find the best palces to explore. I love the very descriptive names of these rock formations! I know what you mean about the hikes with elevation getting more difficult--same here!
ReplyDeleteWhat a plethora of scenic arches!!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed going with you virtually on this hike again. Lots of beautiful photos again, 'Mitch & the Moon' is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteYou blew our minds once again! This is so amazing. Thanks for bringing us along. Otherwise we would never experience anything like this. Mahalo friend, aloha
ReplyDeleteSuch amazing rocks, going every which way, so I'm amazed that you could find your way between one site and the next.
ReplyDeleteI would be in heaven there since I love rocks and all rock shapes!
ReplyDeleteI'd be tempted to sit in Jabba the Hutt's center and gaze out there forever.
Amazing photos, thank you for taking me along.
Beautiful and amazing rock formations.
ReplyDeleteWhat amazing stone formations for as far as the eye can see. Just spectacular as is your photography and stamina.
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible place. Fantastic photos! Jabba Rock is a great name. Love that last photos especially!
ReplyDeleteThat is some really rugged and beautiful terrain. I love how you find new alcoves and arches it seems like quite a bit.
ReplyDeleteThe land sure looks like rattlesnake heaven to me.
...Mother Nature did a fabulous job sculpting Fortune Cookie Arch and Jabba Rock. Thanks for taking me along to see the sights.
ReplyDeleteJabba's hut and the egg shell rock look so amazing
ReplyDeleteThese photos are amazing, I can only imagine looking at the rocks in person.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that a place like that will never run out of suprises for you no matter how many times you've hiked there. The landscape is just gorgeous and right up my alley.
ReplyDeleteWorth a Thousand Words
Splendid captures!
ReplyDeleteLots of cool rock formations! So much to see in this National Park.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, what a marvellous hike you had. The rock formations are so astonishing, all those alcoves and caves, and holes and little arches..... it must be wind erosion I suppose, not much water there. Is it sandstone? (forgive my ignorance) The Fortune Cookie is terrific, I wish I was agile enough to climb up there. And good old Jabba is quite an amazing sight.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. No, not sandstone. A soft granite. I suspect mostly wind erosion as well, although I've heard people say water is also important.
DeleteLoved the rock formations! Great images as well
ReplyDeleteLooks like the surface of a planet far far away, not earth. Today I was watching videos of a through hiker on the Oregon desert trail. He was in the Owyhee desert and was going to do the hike/wade of 45 miles of the West Little Owyhee river, but the water was too high. I've never been anywhere near there and its in Oregon.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing adventure! The rock formations, alcoves, and arches are stunning, and Fortune Cookie Arch looks like a real challenge. The changing vine colors are fascinating yet sad. That old enamel container is such an interesting find! Thanks for sharing another great desert journey!
ReplyDeleteThe Fortune Cookie Arch is beautiful. Could be a kissing couple, too. And a wonderful view.
ReplyDeleteYepp, salute. And a wonderful parting shot - thank you.
Fantastic shots again.The desert is full of surprises. and that some of the arches roofs support on such a narrow piece of rock really beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful area.
ReplyDeleteThat hike required a lot of climbing which you have accomplished so well. Great photos of the area.Those rocks are interesting the way the erode into different shapes.
ReplyDeleteYou guys are looking pretty handsome in this rugged land! I can see all kinds of faces and animals in the shapes of the rocks. How amazing to get to see them up close. I don't get to hike like you do any more. Enjoy it while you can and thanks always for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of these rugged landscape. Really wxceptionel views and angels, well done,,
ReplyDeleteWow! Mother Nature's creation are awesome and fantastic photography ~ You. and Mitch are amazing hikers ~ Wow to you two ~ ^_^
ReplyDeleteWishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
clm ~ A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
I giggled when I saw Mitch under the umbrella made of rock. Your adventures are mind boggling and awesome. I so admire the team effort and the plan and the execution. Always top notch photographs presented for us to see.
ReplyDeleteWonderful rock formations. I love those holes and alcoves. I would want to explore them, too (unless snakes are also there :-))
ReplyDeleteStunning! Beautiful landscape and photos. Thanks for taking me along.
ReplyDeleteThose are amazing photos :-D I love the shark fin, perfect :-D
ReplyDeleteThere's so many unusual rock formations, one of them looks like a sewing needle.
ReplyDeleteNo, thank YOU for taking us along virtually! Shark Fin is well named as is Jabba Rock and Jabba's Hut (maybe it should be Hutt). That scenery couldn't be any different from the scenery where I live (including blue winter skies) and I am loving it.
ReplyDeleteWonderful pics, Rock formations amazing. Loved this post.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen so many objects and faces in pictures like these. My brain is always doing that, so I need to spend the time to look at them again. And like all of your posts, they are excellent.
ReplyDeleteWow, what an adventurous hike! Thanks for sharing all the amazing photos.
ReplyDeleteQuerido amigo, que pases un feliz fin de semana, con mucho amor, sé feliz.
ReplyDeleteNo me olvido del amigo que dejo huellas en mi.
♥️Abrazos y te dejo besitos♥️
So what do you do with containers you find there? Carry them out? Leave them? Notify someone?
ReplyDeleteWe carry out light stuff that's newer. Anything that's 50 years old or more is considered "historic trash" and should be left as you find it according to the Park Service. Not sure of the age of the ceramic bucket, but it certainly could be 50 years old or more. No way to get it out without someone driving a jeep in, which would leave tracks and run over vegitation. It will likely be in it's exact spot for another 100 years or more!
DeleteMuy buenas formaciones roscosas de una grandes paisajes. Me gusta ver como descansas sentado, de la buena caminata que te has dado.
ReplyDeleteFeliz domingo de descanso.
It looks very beautiful
ReplyDeleteIncredible places! Love that silhouette shot!
ReplyDeleteSuch great photos. The rock formations are so cool.
ReplyDeleteI love your names for the formations!
ReplyDeleteAmazing structures. I like calling the openings windows. I live on the East coast so this type of formation is very different from out flat and sandy land.
ReplyDeleteSome beautiful rock formations and Jabber Hut is spectacular. Thanks for sharing it
ReplyDeleteWow, so much to see there. I love how some of the rocks look like animals,etc.
ReplyDeleteSuperb scenery photographed superbly.
ReplyDeleteMy son, the geologist, has been to that area and was blown away by the experience.
I love when I think what I would name a formation as soon as I see your picture and then your words agree with my thoughts! "On my honor" the scout salute is one such! Amazing climb and hike.
ReplyDelete