Along trail in Quail Springs area.

View from atop unamed mountain in Quail Springs area , between Johnny Lang Canyon and Quail Springs picnic area. I rested here comfortably in the shade of a juniper tree - eating lunch, taking a nap, and enjoying the spectacular view - as temperatures soared to 100°F in the valleys below.

Abandoned well site , which I stumbled across (not listed on map), northwest of Quail Springs. There is a door on the other side of the shed, leading in to an old, rusty iron hand pump. I took a break here, enjoying the cool shade and natural quiet, while contemplating those that had used the well in the past.

Sunset. Photo taken just north of Hexie Mountains near White Tank area.

Fantastic boulder pile. Whenever I see these, I get the weird feeling that giants have been at work here - stacking boulders.

Pair of magnificent Joshua Trees on Geology Tour Road, seen on a crisp morning as I hike in the ever warming sun.

Joshua Tree with Hexie Mountains in the background.

View of Ryan Mountain on a hot May afternoon from the California Riding and Hiking Trail near Ryan Mountain Campground. Later that night, I was awoken by a coyote crunching on some ice in the campground . . . but that's another story!

Beautiful view on a cool, windy morning atop Ryan Mountain.

Strange scene as I take a nap on the desert sand.

Skull Rock , ever peering down on visitors, is one of the more popular attractions in the park. It is located near Jumbo Rocks campground.

Colorful cactus, ensconsed by surrounding rocks.

Close-up of cactus.

Lost Horse Mine, an abandoned ten-stamp mill. This mining operation was one of the most successful within the park, many of which operated well into the 20th century. The existing structures of this mine are among the best preserved mining structures within the National Park System. Access to the wooden structure is prohibited by a tall chain link fence.

Galanized steel, cyanide settling tank, riveted with bullet holes, keeps company with the mine. What a view from up here!

Steel drive wheel perched on a hill above the mine. Apparantly the wheel was used to drive the mine's stamping mechanism by means of a steel cable and series of wheels (see wheels on top of mine in previous picture.

Joshua Tree spikes hovering overhead.

View of north end of Pleasant Valley, looking south from atop a high rock hill. In the foreground can be seen various rock piles which I visited on my way to Malapai Hill (center) several miles away. These rock pile communities provided necessary respite (shade) from the hot desert sun. In the background are the San Bernadino Mountains.

Another great rock pile in Pleasant Valley, just north of Malapai Hill.

Inside my private rock crevice, which I luckily stumbled on during my hike to Malapai Hill on a hot June afternoon. I enjoyed a nice restful lunch in this cool, sand-floored hide-a-way before my ascent of Malapai Hill. I wondered how many people have been here before - this place was not near a trail and was not even close to being marked on the map. I'll return some day to this special place.

Bathed in warm sunset light at Keys View, one the best experiences in the park.

Tipping rocks in Hidden Tank area, at end of 4-wheel-drive road near White Tank Campground.

Always interesting shapes to be found - Hidden Tank area.

Cholla (pronounced "Hoy Ya") Cactus Garden, an eerie place, especially at sunset. These plants thrive only in a small area of transition between the upper (Mojave) desert and the lower (Colorado) desert. From a distance, the Bigelow Cholla appears soft and fuzzy and is thus referred to as "Teddy Bear Cholla".

A closer look at the Cholla reveals the true nature of the plant. Each of the needles is tipped with a microscopic barb, and if one tries to "hug the bear" or accidentally brushes up against it, the spines will drive deep into the skin, causing the joint to detach and stay with you. This is the origin of the second nickname "Jumping Cholla".

Ocotillo bush near Pinto Basin. This tall plant (6 - 10 ft. high) has spiny green arms and beautiful red flowers when in bloom.

Rare glimpse at a double rainbow in the desert, as seen from my tent in White Tank Campground after a sudden afternoon thundershower. This treat was most unexpected since we were in the middle of the dry season. A red and white communications tower is visible on top of the center mountain.

Yucca and cactus plants, scenically placed near top of Negro Hill, located in the center of the Queen Valley.

Joshua Tree atop Negro Hill.

Classic cactus seen on my ascent of Negro Hill on a bright May morning.

Serious natural protection

Nature's way of saying "Do Not Touch".

Joshua Tree at sunset