A Visit to Joshua Tree National Park (Day 3)

Day three began with a visit to Desert Queen Mine, which required a bit of a hike to get to.  Following Queen Valley Road (unpaved and lined with joshua trees) I next visited Barker Dam, the hike to which includes access to an area with petroglyphs.  Next was a stop at Hidden Valley with requisite hike, and the day ended at Arch Rock.

A few visible mine openings here at Desert Queen.

Remains of a building.

Blooming cactus.

Joshua Tree specimen.

Queen Valley Road.

Along the hike to Barker Dam.

Barker Dam itself.

Barker Dam.

Joshua trees are just too individual and fascinating not to
end up with a plethora of photographs.

Love how the shallow root structure is visible on this one.

Looks as thought this one may have
had a partner at one time.

Petroglyphs.

Hiking in Hidden Valley.

Hidden Valley.

This little guy obliged by sitting rather still for a minute.

Hidden Valley.

Along the hike to Arch Rock.

Monzogranite formations by Arch Rock.

Arch Rock.

View of the distance beyond this area.

Close up on some of the rocks.

Hiking near Arch Rock.

Joshua tree blooms.

Some of them take on an overall shape
reminiscent of any number of deciduous trees.