Joshua Tree National Park Wanderings...

 I call this formation "The Sphinx."  I came across it last month, when I was wondering around the Steve Canyon area in Joshua Tree National Park.

The El Paso Mountains are a lonely place...

Looking back toward Inyokern, along Mesquite Canyon Road.

Mesquite Canyon Road- looking into the heart of the El Paso Mountinas.

There are days when the buzzing of off-road vehicles completely drowns out the ghostly sounds of the vanished prospector's pick-axes.  

On this day, however, hardly a living soul was encountered.

 

Joshua Tree National Park...

                              Sticking its tongue out at me...
 

Joshua Tree National Park...

 The wildflowers are in bloom this year!  Most of them can be seen in the northern areas of the Park.

Some green and yellow in the desert...

 

These drone-images were taken near the Doran Scenic Drive, in the Calico Mountains.

Cajon Pass...

 

I find this cliff to be intriguing. The road on the other side of the cliff is Highway 138.

The Canyon in the foreground is known as Crowder Canyon, which used to be called Coyote Canyon.

Cowboys, Mormon pioneers and others passed through this area in the days before paved roads.

I took this photo after launching my drone from a spot along Cleghorn Road in the Cajon Pass.

Calico Mountains...

 A slice of the Doran Scenic Drive...