Exploring Joshua Tree: The Galapagos

Exploring Joshua Tree: The Galapagos

Part of the appeal of climbing at Joshua Tree National Park is its vastness.

There are many excellent, and often busy, roadside climbs, but there are also remote areas such as The Galapagos and Queen Mountain that see far less activity. If you like to explore, and can get by without route topos and beta, these and other secluded areas of the Park offer a wilderness climbing experience of the highest grade.

The adventure isn’t just in the climbing. On a Winter-shortened day it can be a real challenge just to get into an area, much less locate a particular route on a particular formation. Even if you’re more or less in the right place, a targeted route might be difficult to find — perhaps hidden in a corridor, or on a nearby group of rocks.

And there can be many distractions along the way. It’s not unusual to stumble onto a “not in the guidebook” route — maybe a stellar face or super-clean finger or hand crack — that has to be climbed. Of unknown origin and difficulty, such routes are untarnished by preconceptions, and have been among the most rewarding I’ve done.

Inevitably, the shadows will be growing long and the temps cool, as you debate whether to try and get in another climb. There is still the minor matter of getting back to the car.

The Hill Climbing Helper

Trail runners, do you suffer the embarrassment of continually being passed on hills? Legs aren’t what they used to be? You need the new Hill Climbing Helper®.

The Hill Climbing Helper’s portability is the key! The Hill Climbing Helper® may look heavy, and it is, but that’s part of the genius of its design.

  • Can be used on all your favorite trail runs!
  • Fits most hills!
  • More effective than elliptical or stair-climbing machines!
  • Increases safety. Eliminates fear of slipping or falling.

Includes 10 stairs and 2 hand rails. Constructed of the finest oil field steel – it will last for decades!

You’ll notice the HCH difference on your first run!

(From today’s run of the Las Llajas loop.)

Related post: Chumash-Las Llajas Loop

Sunset Shower

Sunset Shower

Some outstanding evening runs this week. Did a FiveFingers run out at Ahmanson on Tuesday, and as sometimes happens this time of year, didn’t make it back before dark. Was up on Lasky Mesa in the fading light, with endorphins at full flow. In a distant grove oaks I could hear a Great Horned Owl, and with each hoot-whoo it seemed the zeal of the day was turning to the tranquility of the night. The running was effortless and ethereal.

San Fernando Valley lights.This evening’s run was also superb. Over the course of the run, the skies had become increasingly gray and troubled, as a weak cold front approached the area. Climbing a long hill, the light was dank, and I had given up on the sun. But as I neared the crest of the hill, orange-red sunlight began to illuminate the clouds from below, highlighting a sunset shower. Large, cold rain drops began to patter around me, and I watched mesmerized, as the light, clouds, and rain played on the sky.