Valhalla Dome and Wonderland of Rocks Loop - 3.5.2018
We parked at the unpaved parking area that provides the quickest entrance to the south end of the 'Wonderland of Rocks'... this parking area is located approximately a quarter-mile NE of the very popular trailhead for Barker Dam.
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It didn't us very long to pass by the remains of the Wonderland Ranch.
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Shortly beyond the ranch we are entering the 'Wonderland of Rocks'.
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Awesome rock formations right from the beginning of the wonderland.
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Continuing into the 'Wonderland of Rocks'.
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If you like rocks... this is your place.
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Is that 'Jaws' just ahead.
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Taking a look at 'South Astro Dome' in the foreground... with the 'North Astro Dome' beyond it in the distance... both of these are very popular with rock climbers.
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We are leaving the 'Wonderland of Rocks' and working our way back toward Barker Lake where we will find a way to reach Valhalla Dome in the left center of the photo.
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Working our way through some very big boulders.
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Valhalla Dome is up there somewhere... but it is going to require some work to get there.
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Looking for a good route down here.
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Gail takes a short break while we look for a good route down.
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I've found a reasonable route down.
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Here come Barb and Gail.
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Everyone is working here.
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Looking back at our route down from the pass that connects the Barker Lake area to the 'Wonderland of Rocks' area.
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Heading up to Valhalla Dome... or are we getting a little ahead of ourselves here?
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Hoping our route will continue to be workable after rounding the corner... but alas, we had to turn around and go back down and continue toward Barker Lake.
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We've reached the north end of Barker Lake... now lets find a way up to Valhalla Dome.
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Above Barker Lake and heading for Valhalla Dome.
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Every step higher provides a better view of Barker Lake... with the Little San Bernardino Mountains on the horizon.
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Almost to easier terrain on Valhalla Dome.
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On easier terrain now.
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This is a narrow passage.
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Very easy terrain on Valhalla Dome... we are heading for that little tree on the horizon which is the high point on Valhalla Dome.
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Talk about interesting terrain... demonstrating the power of wind and water.
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Elle and Barb on the summit (4495') of Valhalla Dome.
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Here comes Gail.
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Summit selfie... with South Astro Dome above Gail's head in the distance.
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Time to find a way off of the dome.
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Old friends... sitting on park benches like bookends!
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Hiking through a hallway of rocks.
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Still searching for a route off of Valhalla Dome.
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I think we may have found a route off of Valhalla Dome that will give us a chance to make a loop out of the trip.
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Working our way down to a little hidden valley between Valhalla Dome and the more traveled part of 'Wonderland of Rocks'.
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Teamwork.
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Almost down to the hidden valley.
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We are still at least 80 feet above the floor of 'Wonderland of Rocks'... looking for a way down.
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Trying to get down to the floor.
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Barb works the situation.
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Back down on the floor of 'Wonderland of Rocks'.
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We have closed the loop portion of our trip... now tracing our steps back to the car.
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Almost out of the 'Wonderland of Rocks'.
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Back at Wonderland Ranch... less than a quarter-mile to the car... our trip was 3.7 miles roundtrip, gaining 560 feet of elevation.
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