Garth Bowles Remembered and Celebrated

There’s a magical land to the west of Pioneertown peppered with giant granite boulders, caves, and freshwater springs. Garth Bowles, beloved patriarch of Garth’s Boulder Gardens Sanctuary, passed from this world on Saturday, July 22, 2023, shortly before 6 a.m. His end was peaceful, and he was attended to by loved ones. He died, as he lived for the last 40 years, in a concrete tepee on 600 acres of an earthly paradise.

His property was and continues to be both a refuge and a destination. There is a saying, “No one comes to Garth’s by accident.” If you were there, you were meant to be there. You were called by Spirit. Many came for a drum circle or dance party, only to find that there was some unexpected enlightenment to be found as well.

To learn more about Garth Bowles, Boulder Gardens, and his passing go to https://joshuatreevoice.com/garth-bowles-remembered-and-celebrated/

Garth’s health had been failing in recent years, beginning with an untreated hernia sustained while moving a boulder. Eventually he succumbed to congestive heart failure, but he died comfortably under hospice care in his favorite chair as members of his chosen family expressed their love and gratitude. He was 79. He did not have biological children, but he was a father figure to many. Although Garth built the Boulder Gardens by himself, he did not do it alone. Many hands have helped carry this load, notably Kyle Martin, but Rick Russell, Rick Van Cour, Greg Bagnell, Dave Bricker, and countless others assisted Garth in his mission. The stewardship of Garth’s Boulder Gardens Sanctuary has passed to Robert Peterson, who Garth entrusted with the preservation of the land and the spiritual life of the community. In accordance with his wishes, his remains have been cremated. A memorial took place Saturday, October 28, during the full moon following his 80th birthday.

Photo by Billy Folsom

Photo by Kyle Martin

“After a few years of total commitment to Garths Vision,” shared Kyle Martin, “Garth legally adopted me to take his dream forward. I spent many years bringing Boulder Gardens out of its wild west status. We also put in place a trust to make sure the future of the gardens is to be as Garth wished it – to be shared for a connection to spirit. Garth searched for a place for many years, a place of immense beauty so folks would be drawn there. He wanted everyone to feel welcome. I am happy, and I know Garth left this world happy too, for we have done just that. Boulder Gardens is what Garth wanted it to become. ‘A place where people can come together to share their hearts, their brilliance, and their Love.’ Boulder Gardens Sanctuary is alive and thriving. Come out and see its wonder!”

https://www.bouldergardenssanctuary.org/

A celebration of life was held at the sanctuary and attended by many friends, family, artists, and musicians under the full moon that would have followed his 80th birthday.