Keys Ranch (backdoor route) - 3.23.2018
From the west entrance of Joshua Tree National Park, drive Park Boulevard 6.5 miles and park in the large parking area for the Boy Scout Trail on the left side of the road.
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Lots of folks travel on the Boy Scout Trail.
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After hiking the Boy Scout Trail for 1.2 miles it junctions with the Willow Hole Trail.
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Climbers... one of more than 10,000 climbing routes in the park.
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I have left the Willow Hole Trail after hiking on it for a short distance... here looking across the Little San Bernardino Mountains to fresh snow on San Gorgonio Mountain.
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Looking for a route through the boulders.
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Looking for a route through the boulders.
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Still looking for a route through the boulders.
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Looks like a workable passage.
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Keep looking.
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I finally got through the boulders.
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Previously on this trip I got as far as the pass on the right... this time I'm heading for the lower pass on the left.
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Continuing.
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Looking back.
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Searching for Keys Ranch.
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Searching for Keys Ranch.
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Looking for Keys Ranch.
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Looking back.
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Finally I can see Keys Ranch in the distance... find Waldo... good luck... one thing that caught my attention was those light green colored trees in the distance on the left.
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A closeup of part of Keys Ranch.
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Looking back.
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Heading for those light green colored trees.
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Mystery solved about the trees... two ducks swimming up near the dam at the end of the pond.
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A smaller dam over on the right.
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I have left the pond and will head down to Keys Ranch.
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Passing by one of the structures at Keys Ranch.
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The crane was supposedly used to help build the flood control wall next to it.
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I'm working my way around the north side of the property... the park gives guided tours of the ranch so I'm not going onto the property.
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A used car lot on the ranch?
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I'm looking for a route through the boulders that will get me back to the car.
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My route back to the car.
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Hoping this route will go.
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Looking back at Keys Ranch as I continue for my car.
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I can see that huge patch of joshua trees out there on the desert floor... I've been there earlier this year and I know it will get me back to the car.
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Uh-oh... is this to keep people out or in?... regardless, I'm not turning back.
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Back on the desert floor and heading for the barn.
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This baby jack rabbit was very willing to be photographed.
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Heading for the car... Quail Mountain (the highest point in the park) is in the distance to the right of the joshua tree.
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Nearing the car and looking back.
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Parking area in view... my loop hike was 4.5 miles, gaining 350 feet of elevation.
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