Geology Tour Road and Hidden Valley

Drove the Geology Tour Road today, which I haven't done since my first visit to the park three years ago. It's a 4WD road which heads south from Park Blvd, past some marvelous monzogranite formations, past Malapai Hill, and across Pleasant Valley and a playa. If you have a vehicle that can make the drive, I highly recommend it. Before the one-way loop there is a parking area and a short trail that leads to Squaw Tank, a nice example of the water tanks built by ranchers around the turn of the century. Malapai Hill is a magma intrusion formed of black basalt that, due to its resistance to erosion, rises above the landscape. Approaching Squaw Tank, I spotted a group of female big horn sheep lounging atop a boulder outcrop.

Next was the relatively short, one mile hike in Hidden Valley. Though brief, it's lovely hike. There were many Parry Nolina in bloom, and a few cacti. This enclosed valley once contained abundant grasses, and was used by some local cattle thieves as a hiding place while they re-branded the cattle, later selling them to ranchers. If you're curious to read more about this history, look up Bill McHaney.

Dinner was a delicious meal at Crossroads Cafe, in the town of Joshua Tree.

Looking out across the landscape towards the beginning of the Geology Tour Road.

Bighorn.

Evidence of past mining, tanks, concrete footings, and tailings.

The road leads across the playa in Pleasant Valley.

Headed west, towards the Little San Bernardinos.

Looking northwest, Malapai Hill on the right.

Headed north, you can see the road off in the distance, as it passes the corner of the Hexie Mountains on the right, it comes to Squaw Tank.

Another view north. Malapai Hill and the west edge of the Hexie Mtns.

Rock Formation next to the parking area for Squaw Tank. This area is under rehabilitation, look for the marked trail at the south end of the parking area.