The Bokek Stream, nestled in an ancient geographical and geological context, derives its name from the Hebrew word 'Bokek', denoting a 'searcher' or 'prober'. Around 180 million years ago during the Jurassic period, the region was engulfed by the Tethys Ocean, creating most of the sedimentary rock layers that dominate our region today. The regional uplift of the Syrian Arch and the accumulation of rock layers began around 90 million years ago towards the end of the Cretaceous period, resulting in a series of bends and folds, some several kilometers wide and tens of kilometers long. This geologic activity gave rise to the Negev's ridges, craters, the Jerusalem mountains and folds extending northward into today's Syria, with the Zohar Ridge and the Kidod Ridge in our region associated with this bending event.
The Tsuk Tamrur trek in the Judean Desert, Israel, is a journey of stark contrasts, otherworldly landscapes, and geological wonders. It starts with ascending on the huge Tzuk Tamrur plate, where the geological shifts and a wide variety of desert flora create a captivating experience. This stretch of the trek allows explorers to experience the eeriness and excitement of travelling through a desert environment under a scorching sun, the length of the shadows often indicating how often one should hydrate - a critical aspect of desert survival.
One of the most notable parts of the journey is the crossing of Nahal Bokek stream, an area shaped over millions of years by rainwaters that have created smooth, polished rocks, steep gorges, and unique terrain formations. The most iconic is the Bokek Waterfall, a seasonal marvel visible only during flash flood events in the desert. The stream's name, Bokek, originating from a Hebrew word meaning 'to bleach,' illustrates the erosion and bleaching of the surrounding limestone by the stream.
Travellers also witness the region's geological wonders, such as the flat-topped remnants of former cliffs that weathering and erosion have reduced to sand, giving the area its distinctive desert look. These cliffs resemble the Tsuk Tamrur, a unique, stratified chalk terrace formation, presenting a striking feature in the landscape.
The trail concludes at the Nahal Bokek lookout, which offers a breath-taking view of the canyon leading into the lower stream, the Bokek oasis, and the Dead Sea hotels, an idea that's both a testament to nature's power and the perfect finale to this extraordinary journey.
The Tsuk Tamrur trek embodies the spirit of the desert, a testament to the timeless interplay of geological forces, and a journey that leaves an indelible impression on anyone who undertakes it.
