Big Wall Petroglyphs
In late 2017, my friend JP and I explored the backcountry of Joshua Tree National Park. On our way to another site, we stopped at a small petroglyph site in a wash that we are calling the "Big Wall Petroglyphs."
Vontrigger Springs
Also known as Von Trigger Springs, the spring and surrounding hills were first prospected in 1858 (some say the 1870s) by a German man named Erick Vontrigger for gold. He found a rich pocket of gold but kept his discovery secret. He died in San Francisco in 1880, taking his
Sauerkraut Trail Petroglyphs
Early in 2021, we were on a trip into the wilds of Death Valley to hunt down some lesser-known petroglyph sites in the area. This site is a mile-long set of ancient petroglyphs along an old Native American trail. It is a fascinating site. We were really surprised at just
Sky Portal Pictographs
It took quite a few hours of bushwhacking to reach this remote set of pictographs under a single boulder in the backcountry of Joshua Tree. It was an all-day adventure.
The brightness of the pictographs found here is rare. Most rock art in Joshua Tree is faded from weather and
Petroglyph Wash Arrastra and Petroglyphs
A "wagon wheel" style arrastra in the backcountry of Lake Mead National Recreation Area? I had to see it for myself. I'd read about this site years ago in an old NPS report, and the combination of a rare milling method and petroglyphs along the way
Barker Dam
It goes without saying that water is vital in the desert, and Joshua Tree is no different.
History
A rancher named C.O. Barker built the dam around 1902 to improve the natural tank for his cattle. Along with the nearby Cow Camp reservoir, the tank was an important watering
