please remember you can click on a photo to see a larger version & highlighted text are links to additional information
You can click here for - Part Two
Archeological Treasures
We arrived at the Mojave National Preserve early afternoon. The highlight of the drive was topping off the gas tank - to be on the safe side - in Fenner off of Interstate 40.
We were concerned about how our old truck would run on such expensive gasoline or maybe even get a bit uppity and want to spend a night at the Mark Hopkins in San Francisco in their swanky parking garage. Old White took it all in stride and purred like a pampered kitten.
A few years back, we had hiked the Ring Trail near Hole in the Wall in the snow with a biting winter wind. Since we'd be passing the area, the Lady wanted to try out the new knees in much warmer temperatures. But with a twist - "Let's start from the backside, make it a longer hike, and not park close to the campground."
The Mojave is a fascinating place with its diverse plant life and geology.
We reached the opening to Banshee Canyon, where the sound of the wind evokes a feeling of dread. Beware if you dare to enter.
No problem for the Lady.
The afternoon light streamed in the canyon mouth behind us and - oh, should I even go there? - looked like our last chance at salvation.
Undaunted, Julie was ready to enter.
Narrow and filled with boulders, the ascent requires climbing two short chimneys, the climb is aided by the installation of large steel rings. Some people say the rings are in the way and make it a bit harder.
Here's a view back down the first chimney with rings.
The Lady realized her knees can now bend, and without pain, after so many years. Up she went at the second set of rings.
And a look back down.
The main Rings Loop trailhead and access to the campground is at the top of Banshee Canyon. We circled back around the mountain block to return to where the truck was parked. There is a petroglyph site along the hillside with interpretive signs on the loop trail. Around the corner is a work station - metates and mortars - decorated with petroglyphs.
This hike was about 3.5 miles and the Lady's longest since her left knee replacement, one reason she wanted to do this hike.
With the remaining daylight we headed off to a dispersed campsite we wanted to use that would work well for tomorrow's discoveries.
I should mention that the weather was near perfect with highs in the high seventies and lows in the forties that allowed us to sleep with windows open.
The next morning we made the hike from camp to that special site that had almost demanded that we return.
You will notice that the Lady is stronger and gaining confidence in her stride and gait with her two new knees.
We made our way to the massive boulders.
This place had portals
through rock that were polished by use. Many Native American creation stories
depict the first peoples coming up out of the earth.
We wondered if this was the reason this place appeared to be so sacred. Was creation - coming up out of the earth - celebrated or reenacted here? Another possibility is this site is about birth and fertility. These are the thoughts of a curious layman.
Here is the main shelter. When inside, perhaps it was a preparation place for entering the world. It was womb like.
The interior walls had many faded pictographs.
Most incredible were the pictographs just above the smooth opening to the outside.
The adjacent boulder with the smooth, polished portal pictured above had an elaborate pictograph panel in black pigment on the ceiling of the portal.
And on the side of the portal was an elaborate pictograph panel in red.
Nearby was a line of figures in red and black.
This place had a profound feeling of sacredness. I hope this portrays why we wanted to return.
Another adjacent alcove held additional pictographs. We
have the DStretch app on our Android pad. As the ad says, "See
what is really there while you are there." The photos used on this blog
are shot with our Nikon dlsr with DStretch treatment applied post photo
editing. Julie handles the DStretch in the field. The app does not enable scanning of an area to view with DStretch, rather with taking a photo with the pad/smart phone and applying the best false color treatment to enhance the pictographs.
Today I heard the Lady say over and over and over, "Oh wow! You have to see this!" as DStretch helped bring the faded artwork back to life. She was thrilled.
Our day was half over and allowed time to hike to the other shelter we had visited. It was well worth spending more time there.
We climbed above the cliff band. It took two rock climbing moves that Julie easily handled. In a drainage above was a old dam, long abandoned.
The Lady promised the views would be better if we climbed higher.
As you can see, she is back in her native habitat.
The shelter is well hidden. It was with a bit of luck that we had initially located it. Be prepared for Catclaw. This site is well guarded. If you don't know what Catclaw is, come visit this area. You will find out all you need to know. Pro Tip - we are not wearing shorts.
One reason we've grown to love the deserts so much is because the plants can all take care of themselves.
We survived the gauntlet of catclaw and entered the shelter.
The floor is polished smooth from use and almost covered with mortars and smaller cupules.
The ceiling also has cupules, as if rock was ground from them and easily collected. You may notice these in upcoming photos.
The walls and ceiling - especially the ceiling - had extensive and impressive pictographs. The Lady went to work.
Pictographs along the back wall.
The ceiling was incredible. DStretch really brought back to life the faded art work.
Wow, what a truly remarkable site we were humbled to visit. Being at this place demanded our deepest respect and reverence.
There was more to explore and discover in the area. Most notable were the many stacked rock hunting blinds.
Tucked away in an alcove was a honey bee hive. Julie was especially happy to find bees.
This was great terrain to work on our balance.
Please think of these sites as archeological treasures. Do not touch or disturb anything. Places such as this and others we have shown are not well known and we do not share locations. The photos are stripped of location exif data and the photos we include of approaches and exits may be misleading. I've been known to take twisted pleasure in doing this. Bottom line - respect these places and do your best to assure they remain untouched.
Well this trip was nearing its end but we still had to make it home. That is covered in the upcoming final installment.
You can click here for - Part Four.
