Wonderland of Rocks - 2.24.2019
From the west entrance pay station at Joshua Tree National Park we drove 6.5 miles on Park Blvd and parked at the trailhead for the Boy Scout Trail... this is a huge parking lot.
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From the parking lot I am looking out at the Wonderland of Rocks.
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Hiking on the Boy Scout Trail... heading toward Ellsmere Island on the western border of the Wonderland of Rocks.
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Ellsmere Island... popular rock climbing spot... there are at least 4 climbers on the rocks.
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We have left the Boy Scout Trail and are searching for an entrance into the wonderland.
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We will try to find a route over there on the right.
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Looks like a convenient passage into the wonderland.
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Here comes the gang through the passage.
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Through the passage and scrambling down into the wonderland.
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Welcome to Shangri-la in the Wonderland of Rocks.
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Rocks in the Wonderland of Rocks.
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Traveling along one of the washes in the wonderland.
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We will fight our way through the brush in the wash.
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Exploring the wonderland.
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Ann and Gail in the wonderland.
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Lots of ups and downs in the wonderland.
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Impressive rocks everywhere in the Shangri-la section of the wonderland.
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Lunch time in Shangri-la.
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After having lunch we decided to head toward the Matterhorn in the distance.
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Looking back as we head toward the Matterhorn.
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Scrambling on our way up to a pass that will give us access to the Matterhorn.
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Nearing the pass that will get us over near the Matterhorn.
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Here comes Ann and Gail on a nice ramp.
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Terry and Kerry acting out in the wonderland.
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Giving back some of the elevation that we just gained.
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Gail finds a route down.
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Look ma... no hands.
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Almost off of the rocks and in one of the washes in Shangri-la... with a full view of the Matterhorn.
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In a wash and heading for an exit from Shangri-la.
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On our way out of Shangri-la.
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Nearing the exit from Shangri-la.
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Everyone is present and accounted for.
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The ladies coming out of the passage we used earlier in the day to access Shangri-la.
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Out of Shangri-la... time to find the Boy Scout Trail and get back to the car.
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On the Boy Scout Trail... with a mile of hiking to get back to the car... our hike was 4.8 miles, gaining 400 feet of elevation.
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