El Paso Mountains.
From all of us here at Mojave Desert Diary...well, ok- there is no "us." It's just me- the lone photographer- wishing you all a Happy New Year!
My love for California's Mojave Desert exposed!
Thursday, December 31, 2020
Wednesday, December 30, 2020
Cactus Close-Up...
Joshua Tree National Park. Nikon D7200. 1/60th sec. @ f/16.
Photo by Scott Schwartz.
Tuesday, December 29, 2020
Monday, December 28, 2020
Thursday, December 24, 2020
Monday, December 21, 2020
Thursday, December 17, 2020
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
Big Morongo Canyon Preserve...
This Preserve is located just outside Joshua Tree National Park (west side). The colors are spectacular right now. I wonder if that will change with the onset of winter.
Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Big Morongo Canyon Preserve...
Fallen Tree: This image was taken during my visit to this beautiful place on December 5, 2020.
Photo by Scott Schwartz. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Whitewater Preserve...
Gray trees in the Whitewater Preserve.
Photo by Scott Schwartz.
All rights reserved.
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
Old Building Foundation: El Paso Mountains...
Photo by Scott Schwartz.
All rights reserved.
Wednesday, November 25, 2020
Squaw Tank...
Squaw Tank is a short hike from the Geology Tour Road in Joshua Tree National Park.
Photo by Scott Schwartz.
Monday, November 23, 2020
Mormon Rocks...
...also known as the "Rock Candy Mountains..."
Photo by Scott Schwartz for Mojave Desert Diary. All rights reservied.
Thursday, November 19, 2020
Sights Along The Trail...
The terrain along the trail was getting to be too rough for my Subaru, so I stopped. I'd been driving along trail EP26, in an attempt to reach Sheep Springs in the El Paso Mountains, but the terrain was getting to be too rocky.
Although I was disappointed, I made the best of the situation- there are always interesting photographic subjects nearby, if one takes the time to look. So, I captured this image of the deep, red rocks with my Nikon DSLR.
Photo by Scott Schwartz.
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
Drone's-Eye View Of Old Mine...El Paso Mountains...
I launched my drone from a spot along trail EP21, which heads south into Iron Canyon. I love going back to the same spots several times. It seems as though I discover something "new" each time I visit.
In this case, I'd not noticed these mine entrances previously. On my next trip, I will drive up for a closer look.
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
Friday, November 13, 2020
Green Canyon: Cajon Pass.
The Cajon Pass: April, 2020. Drone image taken with DJI Phantom 4 Photo by Scott Schwartz.
Thursday, November 12, 2020
Tuesday, November 10, 2020
Mojave River...
The Mojave Road parallels the Mojave River bed, near Afton Canyon.
Photo by Scott Schwartz.
Friday, November 6, 2020
Reminders Of The Rain: Color In Joshua Tree National Park...
After the 2017 rainy winter, in Joshua Tree National Park.
Saturday, October 31, 2020
El Paso Mountains: Another Trail...
About a week ago, I was feeling the need to visit my beloved El Paso Mountains. I was introduced to the El Paso Mountains when I read about them in Russ Leadebrand's A Guidebook to the Mojave Desert of California Including Death Valley, Joshua Tree National Monument, and the Antelope Valley. Mr. Leadabrand's book was first printed in 1966. However, my first reading of this book was during the late 1990's, and I've been enamored with the El Paso's ever since.
The area's fascinating natural and man-made history, along with stunning scenery has held my interest through over two decades of exploring the new (to me) and re-visiting the familiar.
Even after all this time, there are trails in the El Paso Mountains that I have not fully explored. One of these is trail EP421. This trail begins at Garlock Road, approximately two miles West of Hwy. 395, and continues North through Iron Canyon. EP421, which becomes EP421B, and then EP21, is approximately twelve miles long, and it ends at Brown Road, if no detours along the many intersecting trails are taken.
This video was filmed as the drone climbed above the trail, facing North.
The drone climbs high above an abandoned mine along the trail.
Overhead footage of another abandoned mine.
The El Paso Mountains Wilderness area.
These last two images were taken with a Nikon D7200 SLR.
The end of the line...for that day. Well, almost. I drove another two or three miles, but the trail became a little tricky. I didn't want to take any additional risks, since I was alone. So, I'll come back on another day.
Thank you for viewing my blog!
Wednesday, October 21, 2020
Lush Cajon Pass...
This footage was taken after a rainy period in Southern California. The drone was flying over the area that is right along the North-bound side of the 15 Freeway.
Monday, October 19, 2020
Drone Flight Over The El Paso Mountains...
This was a flight over the northern end of the El Paso Mountains. The salt deposits at Koehn Lake (dry) can be seen in the upper right.
Friday, October 16, 2020
Mormon Rocks- Final Drone Video....
....before moving on to other subjects.
The Mormon Rocks are easily accessible to the public, right off Hwy. 138 in the Cajon Pass. If you're in the area, this is a worthwhile stop.
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Monday, October 12, 2020
Mormon Rocks...
Also known as "The Rock Candy Mountains," the Mormon Rocks are located in Southern California's Cajon Pass, right off Hwy. 138, near the 15 Freeway.
This formation was named for the veterans of the Mormon Battalion, who, while on their way to the Mormon settlement in San Bernardino, camped here in 1851.
Photos by Scott Schwartz.
All rights reserved.
Thursday, October 8, 2020
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
Abstract Colors In The Calico Mountains...
Drone as art; my DJI Phantom 4 captured this colorful image in the Calico Mountains.
Photo by Scott Schwartz. All rights reserved.
Thursday, October 1, 2020
Morning In The El Paso Mountains...
Approximately three weeks ago, I visited the El Paso Mountains again for the first time in roughly two years. In a sense, it was like coming home again, because I'd been exploring the El Paso Mountains since 1999-which is the year that I bought my first four-wheel drive vehicle.
This image was taken from a drone, which was hovering over the Iron Canyon area, roughly a mile from Garlock Rd.
Saturday, September 26, 2020
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Evening in the Calico Mountains...
Drone flight over the Mule Canyon area of the Calico Mountains.
Equipment: DJI Phantom 4.
Photo by Scott Schwartz.
All rights reserved.
Monday, August 17, 2020
More From Rainbow Basin...
The Rainbow Basin Syncline.
Photo by Scott Schwartz.
1/80th sec. @ f.16 ISO 100
Nikon D7200.
Saturday, August 15, 2020
Friday, August 7, 2020
Rainbow Basin: Close-up of a dried, sandy spot...
Evidence of prior flooding? This sand looks wet, but it was actually dry and hard-packed. Location: Rainbow Basin Natural Area.
Equipment: Nikon D7200. 1/80th sec. @ f/16. 50 mm.
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
Tuesday, August 4, 2020
Calico Mountains at dusk.
Two weeks ago, went out to the Calico Mountains. It was late in the day, and the temperature had cooled down to a comfortable ninety degrees.
Equipment: DJI Phantom 4.
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
Comet NEOWISE...
The comet's full designation is C/2020 F3 NEOWISE. "NEOWISE" is a reference to the NASA space-telescope that is called "Near-Earth Object Wide (field) Infrared Survey Explorer." We just refer to it as "the comet."
This image was taken on a ridge overlooking Lytle Creek Rd.
30-second exposure. f/3.5. ISO 1600.
Photo by Scott Schwartz. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
Calico Mountains...
Drone image, over Calico Mountains. The drone was launched
from Mule Canyon.
Equipment: DJI Phantom 4.
Photo by Scott Schwartz. All rights reserved.
Saturday, July 4, 2020
Rainbow Basin: A fantastic day trip, not far from Barstow, CA.
The Mud Hills, looking north, from Fossil Bed Rd. These
hills are remnants of the area's much wetter past. The dirt
heading off into the hills is the trail that takes one to the Rainbow-
Basin Scenic Drive. The Scenic Drive is a 4-mile loop through
spectacular rock-formations.
Photo By Scott Schwartz. All rights reserved.
Roughly ten miles north of Barstow, CA, there is a time capsule. Here, the fossil remains of animals that have been extinct in North America for aeons have been found. Camels, primitive horses, rhinoceroses, mastodons - and flamingos- lived here during the region's swampy past, millions of years ago.
This is the well-known Rainbow Basin Syncline.
Photo by Scott Schwartz. All rights reserved.
There are no services whatsoever in the Rainbow Basin Natural Area. You should bring plenty of water and food. Sturdy shoes- preferably hiking boots- are a must, as climbing on foot is necessary to view many of the sights here.
Clearly-defined sedimentary layers.
Photo by Scott Schwartz.
All rights reserved.
Photo by Scott Schwartz.
All rights reserved.
The loop trail allows for some spectacular views. Toward the end of the trail, there's a parking area. From there, one can climb (on foot) to a marked observation point, which affords some panoramic views of the area.
Photo by Scott Schwartz.
All rights reserved.
Friday, June 19, 2020
Mojave Desert: Above the El Paso Mountains...
Partially obscured in the shadow of the canyon, this trail terminates at Garlock Rd. The Rand Mountains can be seen in the distance.
Pay no attention to that dis-used trail on the hill to the left.
Photo by Scott Schwartz.
All rights reserved.
Equipment: DJI Phantom 4 drone.
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
Monday, June 15, 2020
Cajon Pass Sunset...
Continuing with the sunset theme.
Equipment: DJI Phantom 4 drone.
All rights reserved.
Photo by Scott Schwartz.
Thursday, June 11, 2020
Calico Sunset...
Drone flight, over the Calico Mountains. Equipment: DJI Phantom 4. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, June 10, 2020
Mojave Desert: Robber's Roost...
Equipment: DJI Phantom 4 drone.
All rights reserved.
Tuesday, June 9, 2020
Calico Mountains...
This image was taken, using my DJI Phantom 4 drone. The drone was hovering over the Mule Canyon area, at the time.
The Art Of The Drone...
All rights reserved.
Monday, June 8, 2020
The Cady Mountains...
May, 2020: The Cady Mountains, as seen from the Mojave Rd.
Equipment: Nikon D7200. 1/60th sed., @ f/18.
All rights reserved.
Friday, June 5, 2020
Abandoned Dreams...
Photo by Scott Schwartz. All rights reserved.
Monday, June 1, 2020
Mojave River...
Another drone-image from the Afton Canyon trip. The trail is seen on the right, with the Mojave River on the left. The river runs underground, for the most part.
All rights reserved. Photo by Scott Schwartz.
Friday, May 29, 2020
Mojave River...
Along the Mojave River.
Equipment: DJI Phantom 4 drone.
The Cady Mountain Range can be seen in the background.
It was a windy, hot day in the Mojave Desert. Earlier this month, I took a drive from Afton Canyon, southwest along the Mojave River bed, and I stopped to launch my drone for some photos.
The winds were gusting up to 45 mph, which is slightly beyond the wind-penetration limit of even the mighty DJI Phantom 4. So, I kept the Phantom low, as I shot a few photos and some video. The video will be posted later.
Wednesday, May 27, 2020
Lifting off from Cleghorn...
From my little excursion in April, 2020. Equipment: DJI Phantom 4 drone. I used the drone, once again, to illustrate how green the desert can become, after recent rains.
All rights reserved.
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
Green desert: drone image of the Cajon Pass...
From last month; area near Cleghorn Trail.
Equipment: DJI Phantom 4 drone.
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