Joshua Tree National Park, in southern California's Mojave Desert, draws a wide range of visitors, including spiritual seekers and, as shown in this photograph, rock climbers who aren't seeking to scale mountains but rather 'bouldering' the granite monoliths that seem to grow out of the ground along the park's expansive ridge.

At one time, molten rock from deep within the Earth rose, cooled slowly beneath the surface, and formed granite. As it cooled and erosion reduced the weight of the overlying rock, the granite, relieved of pressure, cracked into joints that produced rectangular boulders. As the climate dried and monsoonal flows created sporadic flash floods, the remaining overlying rock was washed away, bringing these boulders to the surface and shaping and rounding them, making the area a favorite destination for rock climbers.

Indian Cove is nestled in an alcove of towering rocks. Here, a climber paused to catch his breath and relax after scaling a massive boulder. High above, he turned to survey the Mojave Desert of southeastern California, where the igneous Bullion Mountains form a backdrop to the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center to the north. Below and between, Twentynine Palms, home to an unexpected mix of Marines and artists. Behind him, to the south, lay the aptly named Wonderland of Rocks, a backcountry expanse of boulders.