Tag Archives: Joshua Tree National Park
Samuelson’s Rocks (Joshua Tree National Park)
John Samuelson was an area ranch hand and miner in the mid-1920′s at the Key’s Ranch. A citizen of Sweden, Samuelson claimed to have spent a majority of his life at sea.
In 1927, Samuelson decided to homestead his own piece of property in Lost Horse Valley, south of Quail Springs. He built his humble shack on top of a small hill, and mined his gold claims. In his spare time Samuelson carved eight political slogans, or rants rather on the boulders near his home.
After waiting out a year, Samuelson filed for his homestead in 1928, with the land office. Because of his Swedish citizenship, Samuelson was denied the ability to file his claim. This prompted Samuelson to sell his mining claims, and relocate himself and his wife to the Los Angeles area. Samuelson would kill two men at a dance hall in Compton a short year later.
Samuelson was arrested for the murders, but he never served time in prison. He was declared insane, and was hospitalized at California’s State Hospital at Mendocino. He escaped a short time later.
In the 1950′s, Samuelson resurfaced, working at a logging mill in Washington state. He died at the logging camp from an accident at the mill.
The house that Samuelson built-in Lost Horse Canyon burned down in the 1930′s. The eight carved stones are all that remain of his time spent here. Interesting enough, the rants that he carved in stone 86 years ago are still relevant today.
Hiking to Samuelson’s Rocks is a relatively easy hike. The route that I used can be viewed here. The distance round trip is a little over 6 miles.
Alister’s Cave Pictographs (Joshua Tree National Park)
The Alister’s Cave Pictograph and Petroglyph site is located in the Wonderland of Rocks area of Joshua Tree National Park. Located just a short distance from the popular Barker Dam attraction, as well as popular boulder climbing spots. The cave is signed by the Park Service to prevent climbing at this particular location, but you won’t find the location on maps, and park employees won’t speak of it.
Despite its name, it isn’t really a cave, but rather a rock shelter. The shelter is covered from top to bottom with many hundred faded pictograph designs. Some designs can be made out without enhancement, but it is difficult to see what you are looking at. The paint colors used are red, white, black, and grey.
There are both pictographs and petroglyphs present, but the pictographs far outweigh the petrgolyphs. The petroglyphs are isolated to only one small section of the shelter floor.
Having spent roughly an hour at the shelter on a warm 95° day, it quickly became apparent why the Natives enjoyed this location. Lounging on the shelter floor, protected by the shade the temperature was much more enjoyable than being directly in the sun. It felt as if there was at least a 15° – 20° temperature difference.
In the photo gallery below I have included both non-enhanced images as well as images utilizing the DStretch software. The DStretch software gives the ability to pull out faded paint, allowing for better viewing of the original designs.
Due to the sensitive nature of these sites locations are no longer available via the website. If you are interested in visiting this or any other sensitive sites I recommend that you utilize my guide service.
“High Noon” Pictographs (Joshua Tree National Park)
I was tipped off on this location from a friend and fellow rock art enthusiast that had previously visited the site. This is one of the more intriguing locations that I’ve had the opportunity to visit. Located in a wash near the Wonderland Ranch ruins, this giant granite boulder is hollow underneath. To view the pictographs you have to crawl through a hole, and once you are under the boulder there is enough room for a six-foot tall person to stand straight up.
The designs that are present are simple, yet interesting. Present are number of “ticks”, which are believed by some to represent a calendar, or counting system. On the top, middle a pictograph of the sun is present. I speculate that the position of the sun pictograph indicates “high noon”. All of the designs that are present are made using a red pigment. One petroglyph is also present.
A blackened mortar hole is present above the entrance, likely used as a fire starting tool by the one time inhabitant.
Due to the sensitive nature of these sites locations are no longer available via the website. If you are interested in visiting this or any other sensitive sites I recommend that you utilize my guide service.
“Bloody Hands” Pictographs (Joshua Tree National Park)
I stumbled upon this small pictograph site while on the search for the Alister’s Cave Pictographs in the Wonderland of Rocks area of Joshua Tree National Park. The pictographs are located on the lower part of a boulder that has a small overhang, which has protected the pictographs somewhat from the elements.
The pictograph designs are painted in red, and grey. The grey paint is likely made from charcoal.
I have provided below images of the pictographs. I have utilized the Dstretch software to enhance the images, allowing you to view the more complete design.
Original image
Enhanced image using Dstretch
Original image
Enhanced image using Dstretch
Original image
Enhanced image using Dstretch
Original image
Enhanced image using Dstretch
Due to the sensitive nature of these sites locations are no longer available via the website. If you are interested in visiting this or any other sensitive sites I recommend that you utilize my guide service.
“Disney Pictographs” (Joshua Tree National Park)
Joshua Tree National Park is a place known around the world for its abundance of Joshua Trees, massive boulders, and beautiful landscape. Long before white settlers discovered the beauty, the Cahuilla Indians inhabited the area.
The Cahuilla left their mark on the land in a number of ways, the most visible of those being petroglyphs (carved designs in rock) and pictographs (painted designs on rock). Numerous petroglyph and pictograph locations lie within Joshua Tree National Park and the surrounding areas.
The “Disney Pictographs” is the most well-known rock art location within the park. Located just a short distance from the popular tourist attraction, Barker Dam and along the Barker Dam Nature Trail; this site sees plenty of traffic on a daily basis.
The location is made up of authentic petroglyphs, as well as pictographs. However a majority of the pictographs that are visible to the naked eye are a product of the Disney Company. In the late 1950′s the ever popular movie studio shot scenes from the film “Chico, the Misunderstood Coyote” at this site. The designs that originally covered the wall didn’t show up well on film, so they opted to paint over the designs to make them more vibrant on film. Some of the “touch up” work also included painting inside of original Native petroglyphs. Today this would be looked at as vandalization, and would not be tolerated.
In the picture gallery below I have included photos of the site as you see them naturally. As previously stated, the painted designs that are bright are the product of Disney. I utilized Dstretch software on some of the photos, this allows some of the faded, not visible painted designs to pop out.
Virginia Dale Mine (Dale Mining District)
The Virginia Dale Mine and the Dale Mining District are located roughly 18 miles east of Twentynine Palms, and 8 miles north of Joshua Tree National Park. Virgina Dale is accessible via a 7.5 trip down Gold Crown Road from Highway 62. Gold Crown Road has a tendency to be sandy in places, so be mindful of this. The road leading up to Virgina Dale from Gold Crown is best hiked, there are places that soft sand is 6-8 inches deep and without the right equipment you’ll likely find yourself stuck.
Placer gold was first discovered in the area in 1883 by Lew Curtis, by 1886 the Virgina Dale Mine was in full swing. Other mines in the area had already began producing not long after the initial discovery in 1883, near the town site of Dale (now referred to as Old Dale). Old Dale was located at the intersection of current day Highway 62 and Gold Crown Road meet.
The Virginia Dale Mine operated under The Virgina Dale Mining Company until 1899, when the company suspended operation. Despite the suspension of mining at Virginia Dale, the district continued to boom. After World War I, Virginia Dale was redeveloped by Jim Sigifus. Jim installed a new mill on the site, and attempted to sell the mine for half of a million dollar. Jim died before a deal could be struck. In 1923, Dave Post leased the mine, and three days into operation was shut down due to a lawsuit.
In the 1930s, a new life was given to Virgina Dale by a new operation that ran until 1937. It is estimated that during the operations peak, that 40 tons of ore was being extracted every day.
For 75 years, Virgina Dale has been in a state of abandonment. All the remains of the once bustling mine are Cyanide tanks, half standing stone walls, and foundations. Today the site is popular with recreational miners, and weekend desert warriors.
Joshua Tree National Park
I’d like to thank Death Valley Jim for allowing me to post a quick look at my favorite California desert adventure playground – Joshua Tree National Park.
Rock Formations In Joshua Tree NP
Located in the high desert area between the cities of Palm Springs and 29 Palms, Joshua Tree NP encompasses over 1240 square miles of rugged wilderness that is a beacon to hikers, campers and climbers from across the globe. It’s varied terrain includes both the Mojave and Colorado desert ecosystems and is home to wildlife equally diverse – one can see everything from the smallest lizard and scorpion to big horn sheep and the crafty bobcats and mountain lions that prey on them.
It’s history is the story of the American West. Long inhabited by Native Americans, the area was “discovered” by Mormon explorers in the 1850′s who were then followed by cowboys, rustlers, ranchers and miners into what became by act of congress first the Joshua Tree National Monument in 1936, and later Joshua Tree National Park in 1994. Each left their marks and traces etched in the desert which can still be seen by modern hikers and campers.
Ruins Of Ryan Ranch In Joshua Tree NP
But it’s the sheer physical beauty of the place that brings people from around the world to explore and marvel at it’s gorgeous rock formations, acres of unique Joshua Trees and open skies and vistas that make camping out and star gazing such a pleasurable experience for singles, couples and families.
Rock climbers rave about the striking formations of huge granite boulders weathered by thousands of years of blowing sand into what looks like something designed for a Hollywood movie. Campers can find great sheltered spots among the clustered rocks and hikers can wander for days without seeing another human being through some of the last virgin forests and groves of bizarre-looking Joshua Trees left in Southern California.
I first came to Joshua Tree NP in the early 1990′s when working on a television show. Taken by the prehistoric modeling of the desert rock formations and deep spiritual feel of the area, I was soon visiting every weekend I could to camp, hike and explore. I finally decided to buy a house in the small town of Joshua Tree and moved there in 2004. I’ve never regretted it. I’ve been able to spend so much time in the park that I feel it’s my backyard, yet every trip in brings me new discoveries and wonders to explore. It would take a lifetime to see even half of what this wonderful and precious area could reveal.
The park offers everything from easy car camping areas with picnic benches and grilling pits, to backcountry trailheads where one can register and head off on a primitive day hike or week-long expedition into the rugged interior. If you’d like to see more of the area and some of my discoveries, I invite you to visit my blog Joshua Tree Camping and enjoy my articles and pictures.
The desert is a beautiful but unforgiving place so bring LOTS of water – but most of all COME OUT AND ENJOY IT!
Desert Mike
Pictures copyright JoshuaTreeCamping.Com all rights reserved.
2013 Guided Tour Option
Books by Death Valley Jim
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Secret Places in the Mojave Desert Vol. III
Analyzing Rock Art of the Mojave Desert Vol. I: Pictographs
Secret Places in the Mojave Desert Vol. 1
Secret Places in the Mojave Desert Vol. II
Rock Art of the Upper Mojave Desert
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