Tuesday, February 5, 2013 (Black Rock Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, CA)

It was 10:15 when we were ready to head out this morning...that's pretty good for us.  We're not usually ready that early unless it is a travel day.  We were going to start at the west entrance to Joshua Tree National Park.

The rockpiles in the park are quite incredible.  Geologists believe that the face of the modern landscape was born more than 100 million years ago.  Molten liquid, heated by the continuous movement of the Earth's crust, oozed upward and cooled while still below the surface of the overlying rock...for more information about the rock formation check out this article from Desert USA. The park is an absolute paradise for rock climbers!

This is the spot we had lunch before going on a hike.


Our first hike was going to be on the Hidden Valley Trail...described as a one-mile loop trail that winds among massive boulders through this legendary cattle rustlers' hideout.




Can you see the rock climbers?






Rock climbers call this the Great Burrito...

Can you see the rock climber? Crazy!!



Can you see this rock climber?

That hike took us about 35 minutes...awesome scenery and rock formations!  Now it was back to the truck and onto our next destination.

Barker Dam Trail is another one-mile loop trail.  Built around 1900 to hold water for cattle and mining use, the dam today forms a small rain-fed reservoir used by park wildlife.

Barker Dam...

Notice the high water marks...


Barker Dam...outflow side...

Cattle Trough...


Petroglyths...


Our hike to Barker Dam and the Petroglyphs took us about 40 minutes...and again, very interesting scenery.

Our next stop was a drive up to Keys View...from an elevation of 5,185 feet, you can overlook a stunning expanse of valley, mountain, and desert.




Wow...what a view!  Too bad it was so hazy and smoggy.

We got home just before 4:00...what a great day!  Steve decided to bring out the Campfire-In-A-Can and we sat outside with a cocktail...



...and a little while later, Marty and Sally, our neighbours from next door joined us. They are from Oceanside, Washington down south enjoying the area...


Something new on our blog...I have added a link to our location.  Just click on the link at the bottom of the blog and it will bring up a map showing where we are.

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