We found this site a couple of years ago on one of our looooonnnggg jaunts in the backcountry of Joshua Tree National Park. There we were, slouching through the desert, with many pounds of camera equipment and water on our backs, since we were there to revisit our “Lonely Ledge“, “Lonely Hollow” and “Lonely Falls” discoveries and thus we were humping my full arsenal of camera equipment through the desert.

This was after we had photographed, and in one case discovered, the three sites listed above. It was late afternoon, some miles of undulating, rocky, brushy terrain laid between us and our vehicle, and the afternoon was hot. I had packed a sleeveless shirt but no sunscreen, so I was definitely a bit baked when we stumbled across this site on our way back.

My companion was out ahead – the way to get him to build up a full head of steam is to point his head homeward and let him loose! – when I noticed a bit of desert gold ( rusted old cans and whatnot ) in front of me. I lifted my head a bit and glimpsed another can and a light green jerry can type canteen.

What was this? I stopped short and investigated. My first guess was that this is a cache placed many years ago by the nearby marine base, intended for some desert training maneuvers. I suppose whoever was supposed to find this never did, since the cans were mostly unopened and the water canteen still closed and upright ( though long since empty — thanks to evaporation, no doubt ).

I was surprised to find this way out here in the National Park’s backcountry. Joshua Tree became a National Monument in 1936 and a National Park in 1994. The 29 Palms Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center wasn’t founded in its earlier form until 1949. It was a naval auxiliary air station prior to that, from about 1942 onwards. But I suppose occasional exercises may have been carried out in the National Park at some point, resulting in this cache. Or perhaps this is the remnants of a camp established by a Marine from the base who spent a few days recreating in the Park and brought equipment on hand with him.

Let’s look at some pictures. There wasn’t much of anything to find here, just the water can and four food cans, but they tell a story all the same.

One water can and four cans ( all in a diagonal row in this picture, the rightmost one under the bush at the upper right ) in the middle of the desert. How did this happen? These items are just sitting by themselves out in the open. No shelter nearby.

The contents of this can is still ( somewhat ) preserved, showing that it was never opened and eaten. Looks like refried beans to me!

The bottom of the can of beans bulges out ominously, but it wasn’t the weakest link in the can’s construction! It blew out on the side somewhere. It isn’t hard to imagine this can slowly baking and expanding in the sun, practically vibrating with built-up energy, as the beans inside fermented.

There is another can that has rusted enough that the sides gave way. This one may have been opened, or else the contents have long since perished.

In the background is the exploded can of beans. This can has a key on the lid and remained intact. I have no idea what might be inside now. I sure didn’t try to find out! But I bet it wasn’t something as volatile as beans.

The side of the water can. “USMC” – that’s our clue that this can is tied to the United States Marine Corps. The can is stamped “WATER”.

The top of the can. Any water that might have been inside when it was left has long since evaporated.

After I documented the site and poked around a little bit for anything else, we set off in earnest for our return journey. We were facing plenty of cross-country up-and-down – an endless procession of small rocks, thorny bushes, and desiccated pinyon pine. The kind of terrain that looks impossible when you survey it, yet if you take it in small chunks, there’s always a way through.

The desert had one little treat left for us, though. See below:

The desert isn’t done surprising us yet! A couple hours later, as we’re close to stumbling out of the desert, I notice a rock. Then the rock moves. That’s no rock! I may be a bit well done from a day in the sun, but I am not about to hallucinate rocks moving!

Hello, human. It is a desert tortoise! I keep my distance so as to not harass it and use a zoom lens to take a picture.

Bye for now! The tortoise moves on. It has places to stomp to and succulents to chomp on.

This is a odd little site in JTNP. It is one of many historic sites in the Park, and like all the others it is now protected. If you ever visit, make sure to leave it like you found it.