Mojave National Preserve, CA

Barber Peak

I hiked a 6-mile loop that circled Barber Peak. I found many similarities and differences in the different sides of this large butte.

Butte Rises Above

Ragged Rock Wall

Expanse of Barber Peak

Many Holes & Pockmarks

The countless rock formations along the trail were varied in size and color.

Odd Shapes

Chalk White

White Rock with a Green Coating

Remnant Survives atop a Small Hill

Banshee Canyon awaited at the end of the hike. This twisted passage through the rock barrier required some significant scrambling. In two places, metal rings had been embedded in the rock to assist in scaling the sheer wall.

Entrance to Banshee Canyon

Clogged with Rocks...Scrambling Required

First Set of Rings
(pulled on a ring while stepping onto next rock)

Second Set of Rings were Steeper & More Difficult
(lifted myself with a ring while stepping on the ring below it)

Amidst the Rock Barrier

I was quite taken by the desert plants, especially those that were flowering.

Mojave Yucca

Flowers on Top of a Mojave Yucca

Cholla Seem to Glow in the Sunlight

Fluffy White Threadleaf Groundsel

Apricot Mallow Brings a Dash of Color to the Desert

And wouldn't you know, Mother Nature provided a couple of attractions in particularly interesting shapes.

Peace Sign

Loch Ness Monster
(cactus remnant)

Kelso Dunes

The Kelso Dunes are nearly 9000 years old, cover more than 45 square miles, and rise more than 600 feet at their highest point.

Moon Over the Dunes

Trail Heads Towards the Center Section

Right Edge of the Kelso Dunes

I hiked to a point partway up the center portion of the dunes where the steep slope and soft sand made it too difficult to continue further.

Dune Crater

Amid the Dunes

From that vantage point, I had nice views of the ground I had covered and the nearby mountains.

Toward the Trailhead

Granite Mountains

While most of the sand was the expected tan color, there were patches where some black granules mixed in.

Black and Tan

As it was early morning, the rising sun produced some entertaining shadows.

My Shadow Waves at Me

Sun Turns Peoples' Footprints into Mini Sand Dunes

I didn't see any animals (many are nocturnal), but they had left countless tracks in the sand.

Little Paw Prints

Lines of Tracks

Above the flatter land dominated by bushes and brush, a scattering of hardy plants found root in the dunes themselves.

Desert Evening Primrose
(the only one I saw)

Desert Twinbugs