Feb 05, 2016 — I originally had planned to hike to Willow Hole from the Boy Scout Trail (from the east), but more research revealed that it's a fairly popular trail. I was feeling something a bit more remote, so I poked around on a topographic map and discovered that Rattlesnake Canyon had a reasonable route to Willow Hole (from the northwest). Starting from the Indian Cove Trailhead, follow the flat wash of Rattlesnake Canyon that winds south for a bit before encountering a waterfall that apparently trickles water at some points during the year. It was unfortunately dry for me except for some pools of water. Until this point, I had no problem following the trail because of all the footprints, but the uphill battle starts here. Check out the slot canyon to the left before following the white rock slab to continue through Rattlesnake Canyon. After going about halfway up the canyon, turn left and up a difficult-looking boulder slide, toward Ratlesnake Spring. On my way up, I stayed too far right while ascending, where I definitely did some rough bouldering moves that I could have avoided, so I'd say try to stick to the white granite to avoid lots of difficult scrambling. That being said, it's still very slow-moving. Usually, if there is a section here with too big of a rock, rather than go around, look for a hole and explore the underground world created by the boulders. It's very unqiue and in my opinion, is the true reason for calling this area of Joshua Tree National Park the "Wonderland of Rocks". See photos below. You'll likely see some of the spots pictured, but also find lots that I didn't get to see. Explore away.
Anyway, once you get to the very top of the Rattlesnake Spring, noted by the fact that you're no longer ascending, turn right. It seems like many people explore deeper into the Wonderland of Rocks after coming from the Boy Scout Trail, so the footprints are misleading if you're coming from Rattlesnake Canyon. Head west and soon after turning, keep your eyes open for a small canyon ahead of you that looks like it threw up a bunch of boulders. Take that annoying scramble and continue west until you find the Willow Hole.
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