Mar 16, 2016 — This is a very contrived route I cooked up to visit Garrett's Arch and Willow Hole. After checking out Willow Hole by getting there from Rattlesnake Canyon, I was infatuated with the area and wanted to explore the southern section. This route traverses some gorgeous scenery through the Wonderland of Rocks section in Joshua Tree. Please note the attached map is only an estimate of the route I took. This is a choose-your-own-adventure sort of hike, so be aware there are no trails and the terrain can become quite rugged due to all the boulder-hopping. It's also easy to get turned around or lost.
I started from the popular Barker Dam/Wall Street Mill Trailhead and headed northest along the Wall Street Mill Trail. I left the trail and continued north up a sandy wash that would serve as the path of least resistance for a while. I passed the Wall Street Mill ruins, seen from a distance, as well as Barker Dam. I also stumbled on some other abanonded mining remains like an old dam and some metal debris. I also passed a massive rock featured known as Astro-Dome, as well as lots of other cool rock formations. Eventually I found my turn-off to head east to locate Garrett's Arch. The arch is interesting and I was happy I found it without too much hassle.
Back in the main wash I continued north, passing a cool talus cave and more great rock formations. As the sandy wash begins to fade, the route starts to get much more difficult with lots of scrambling and route findingon Class 2/3 massive boulders. After a long time navigating tricky boulders and terrain, I made it to Willow Hole. Rather than return the same way since it was getting dark, I took the standard route people use to get to Willow Hole, the Boy Scout Trail. This trail wrapped around the west side of the Wonderland of Rocks on flat and easy terrain until it brought me to the main Joshua Tree scenic drive. I followed a wash and an old road to get back to my car. You could just take the paved road or try to hitchike if you prefer.
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