DZRTGRLS

Turtles for Thanksgiving

We know how you think! You had a picture of us sitting around a campfire roasting turtles, didn't you! No turtles were harmed and no carnivory took place this Thanksgiving. However, we certainly did have a feast, but it was a feast of contorted rock formations, lush cholla and barrel cacti, beautiful sunrise and sunset colors, historic cabins, traces of old mines and mills, poignant isolated grave sites and copious rock collecting locales. Yes, the Turtle Mountains far exceeded our expectations.

Would you believe, though, that we almost scrubbed the trip? That's right, just the day before we sunriseleft, a significant storm brought cold temperatures, wind and heavy rain to the Mojave desert. We wondered whether the washes would even be passable. Fortunately, they were and we had the honor of being the first vehicles to cross the imposing expanse of Chemehuevi Wash and lay down the first tire tracks. We were joined by Mohave Blake for this weekend of exploring but we were thinking of you, too, and knew that you'd want to see for yourself what's out here. So, if you're up for it, grab a warm jacket and maybe bring a little virtual firewood for the campfire. Just click on the photo link below whenever you're ready to do some exploring and we'll yank you free of charge right through those cyber wormholes and deposit you smack dab at the entrance to the Turtle Mountains!

MNP: East of the Ivanpah Mountains

After the wonderful trip we had last time to the area west of the Ivanpah range, today we feel a lot like the proverbial chicken who crossed the road to see what's on the other side. That's right, this time we're headed for the east side of the Ivanpahs! There are several old mines and camps there that look like they'd be interesting to explore. Mohave will be joining us for the trip and coming out for the first day will be Guy and Alysia with their almost four month old little bundle of joy, Aiden. He's getting off to an early start as a desert explorer! There should be plenty to see over the next two days, including New Trail Camp, the Hillside Mine, the Hillside Oxide Copper Mine, the area around the Allured Cabin location and finally the old Kewanee Mine. The weather report looks a bit iffy but it's an absolutely gorgeous day today so let's get going. Just click on the photo link below and you'll be able to pull your recliner into line behind Mohave's truck and travel the virtual desert two tracks right along with us to this historic part of the Mojave National Preserve.

MNP: West of the Ivanpah Mountains

As we crest the Mescal Range and look below at the western slopes of the Ivanpah Mountains, we know that we've made a good choice for a weekend of exploring. We can already see the warm, honey toned Aztec Sandstone formations off to our right that contain California's only dinosaur trackways. Further down the valley, nestled among colorful hills and surrounded by lush stands of Joshua trees, are several historic mines and camps. Names like the Standard Mine, Roger's Camp, Riley's Camp, the Copper King Mine and the Evening Star Mine all await with their interesting histories, artifacts and beautiful blue-green copper ore. This once bustling area now sleeps peacefully under the warm sun, as do a few of the old miners in their small, isolated cemetery. Obviously, there's a lot to see and do here so we'd better put the Desert Canary back in gear and get going! If you, too, are up for an adventure and have a few minutes to spare, all you need to do is click on the photo link below to join us in this virtual version of our ramblings!

JTNP: The Hunt for Butcher's Cave

A weak cold front is pushing through Joshua Tree National Park this morning and bringing with it cooler temperatures and a dark, leaden sky. As we crunch our way up a wash and into the wilderness area, the sun makes a feeble attempt at lighting up the sky. It's not an auspicious beginning but we're brimming with enthusiasm because we're on a hunt for one of the more elusive destinations that Joshua Tree has to offer. Supposedly, in the 1920's, a cave was found in a remote corner of the park that contained close to fifty big horn sheep skulls and horns. Apparently, as the story goes, an anthropologist speculated that this might have been a ceremonial offering site for prehistoric big horn sheep hunters. We've not been able, however, to find any documentation whatsoever pertaining to the cave, and we've been trying hard. Our queries to the park service are still unanswered. So, whether there's any truth to the legend, the reality remains that this is certainly one of the tougher spots to locate! Today, we think we've cracked the puzzle and are hopeful that we'll attain our goal. We're joined in our quest by our good friend and avid JTNP explorer, David, who is always up for an adventure and who has already made one unsuccessful foray into the area.

Whether we locate the cave or not, we're at least guaranteed of seeing some spectacular scenery in a very remote region. If you want to join us this morning, all you have to do is click on the photo link below. It's going to be a rugged hike, though, so you might want to raid the refrigerator for a snack and limber up your wrist for a tough session of mouse clicking!

Note: As with all good "lost" locations, it's better that they stay that way. Consequently, the absence of hints or directions in our trip report is intentional. Heck, if we can find it, so can you!

JTNP: Wonderland Pictographs and the Black Butte Mine

Long before Joshua Tree National Park's Wonderland of Rocks area became a fashionable destination for rock climbers, photographers and city dwellers looking for a weekend get away, its rocky mazes, twisting stone corridors and spectacular granite formations made it a favorite hang-out for prehistoric people. Casual hiking in the area will almost certainly result in the discovery of widely scattered pottery fragments and petroglyphs. However, pictographs are quite a bit more difficult to locate, even though they are a more recent form of rock art. They seem to have been placed in hidden nooks in boulder jumbles, under rock overhangs or on the back walls of rock shelters. The palpable magic of these painted images from the past is what's brought us here this morning and we can hardly wait to get hiking! Even if we don't find any, we know that we'll still enjoy the stunning beauty of the area.

We're also planning to save a bit of daylight for a hike up to the Black Butte Mine. This site is old and may possibly date back to the 1890's. Records show that around 1911-12 this gold prospect was being worked by Bill Thornton and U. C. Wirz and at that time was called the Gold Tiger Mine. Apparently, Bill Keys relocated the mine in 1936 and renamed it the Black Butte. Several shallow open cuts, shafts and tunnels reportedly are found at the site.

So, whether you're a fan of rock art or old mines, today should be a winner! As usual, you can join us in this cyber quest by clicking on the photo link below. Don't forget to bring along your enthusiasm and sense of adventure!

A Mogollon Rim Smorgasbord

Heading to Arizona in the summer makes about as much sense as camping on a Louisiana beach during hurricane season. However, those crafty Dzrtgrls have a plan. High above sweltering Phoenix lies the cool and verdant Mogollon Rim country. At 6,000 to 7,000 feet above sea level, this makes for a most pleasant summer destination. What's there, though, you ask? The answer to that one is easy, "Lots!" Just as a good Swedish smorgasbord provides an eclectic variety of hot and cold dishes, so will the Mogollon high country unfold a variety of delights for us. Clicking on the photo links below will punch your ticket for a virtual ride-along with the Dzrtgrls as they hunt for spectacular quartz crystals, marine fossils, an isolated 1880's gravesite, lovely wildflowers, the Baca graves, prehistoric Black Canyon Rock Shelter, the Polimana Pictographs, and the most colorful eastern collared lizard that you're ever likely to see. That sounds tasty, doesn't it!

Rock Art of Little Lake

As the sun nudges us awake this morning, it takes a moment to remember where we are. After all, yesterday found us in the Sierras looking for pictograph sites located in lush meadows and along gurgling streams before we finally descended to the desert below and our present camp at Little Lake. Just the mention of this spot sends a thrill through us. This second day of the Kern County Archaeology Society's field trip will let us explore petroglyph and pictograph locations in this otherwise off limits area. Little Lake is now privately owned by the Little Lake Duck Hunting Club, which takes its stewardship very seriously. Fortunately for us, KCAS has obtained permission to not only camp here, but also to explore the ancient sites nestled around this jewel of a lake.

The natural oasis of Little Lake has been a magnet for prehistoric people for many thousands of years. The oldest site, in fact, has been radiocarbon dated to around 6,500 BC. The plan for the day is to visit several locations including Atlatl Cliff, the Stahl site and rockshelter, pictographs and petroglyphs near the village site of Pagunda, a large rock art site at the southern end of the lake, and the area below Fossil Falls. The husband and wife archeologist team of Jack and Gale Sprague will be our dynamic and knowledgeable guides again today. We've got a lot to see so let's grab a bite to eat and get out there! Want to come along? A click on the photo link below will get your virtual tour started!

Eastern Sierra Rock Art

When we heard that the Kern County Archaeology Society was doing a field trip, we couldn't sign up fast enough! First of all, the dynamic duo of Jack and Gale Sprague, both noted archaeologists, would be leading the outing. Second, the locations to be explored sounded great with the first day spent visiting pictograph sites in the Eastern Sierras and then a shift to Little Lake where we could look forward to two days of prowling the numerous rock art sites in this fantastic and normally off limits location. Finally, the members of this society are absolutely the most wonderful folks that you could imagine and their hospitality is only overshadowed by their incredible cooking skills! The last trip that we joined was a real eye opener and turning point in our own approach to wilderness cooking.

So this morning finds us heading up winding Highway 178 toward Walker Pass and the rendezvous at the Canebrake Cafe. We're already enjoying the cooler temperatures as we twist our way into the Sierras. We're also excited to be taking our new Xterra Off Road out for its first trip. We're hoping that it will prove to be an equally capable successor to our now retired Toyota Tacoma. If you like hunting for enigmatic pictograph sites and at the same time enjoying the cool comfort of high elevations, rushing streams and lush meadows, then today's trip is for you. Just click on the photo link below to follow us to Canebrake and the start of another marvelous KCAS field trip!

JTNP: Eagle Mountains Mines, Cabins and Ruins

Sometimes it's the hunt for information and the journey itself that ultimately provides as much reward as reaching the goal. That's the case today. The initial research for this trip actually began about a year ago and consisted of turning pages, taking notes and examining topographic maps and satellite images. We wanted to visit three small 1930's era gold mines that lie deep within the wilderness area surrounding the vast and isolated expanse of Pinto Basin. More specifically, we were hoping to locate two small metal cabins that reportedly still stood in lonely canyons dropping down to the basin from the Eagle Mountains. Recently, we made a discovery that added the missing piece that we were looking for. Routes were planned, GPS waypoints noted, and a weekend set aside. However, at the last minute, a family event cut our expected two days to one. Like any junkie whose fix is taken away, we were despondent. Niki wondered aloud if we couldn't somehow do the two days of hiking in just one day. At first glance the idea seemed impossible. Soon, though, we were reworking our routes and mileages and came to the conclusion that it just might work. We would need an early start, a heavy load of water and a cool day.

We did get an early start and we did carry seven liters of water between us. Instead of the cool day, though, we got ninety-five degrees. None of the water that we took made it back to the Jeep! Our GPS track log says that we did 12.8 miles in 9 hours and 34 minutes. The mines we visited are isolated. We felt kinda like astronauts walking on the moon. The terrain was much rougher than we imagined. With the exception of the sandy wash that took us into Pinto cactus bloomBasin, the remainder of our hiking consisted of crossing alluvial rubble cut by washes, some of them pretty deep. Of course, since we were going across the grain, we got to experience every single one of those washes! However, we were fueled by the sheer audacity of what we were trying to accomplish and ended up having a rewarding and memorable day!

If you're interested in checking out this remote area of Joshua Tree and seeing what's left at three typical small 1930-ish gold mines, then we'd love to have you join us for the cyber version of our trip. Since we ended up with too many photos for just one trip, we've divided our day up into the three mines that we visited. Clicking on the Mystery Mine, which is our first destination, will get you started. You can then move on to the Blind Mule Placer with us if your water and stamina are holding out. Finally, clicking on the Hard Diggings Mine will let you straggle along with us for a visit to the last site of the day. A word of caution, though. We ran out of water at the Hard Diggings Mine, so before you click on that one grab a bottle from the fridge! Well, let's get going!

JTNP: The Pleistocene Fossils of Pinto Wash

Someone once said, "You can't tell a book by its cover." This is certainly true for the "book" of the Pinto Wash area of Joshua Tree National Park. We would imagine that a cover for such a "book" would scream "barren desert." However, we might be very surprised to find that the early chapters would reveal a very different scene. Long ago, the repeated glaciations of the Pleistocene era (1.8 mya to 11,500 ya) created a cool, wet lakeside habitat in which such extinct animals as large and small horse, large llama-like camels, North American llamas, sheep, mammoths and wolves lived and died. Their mineralized bones now write the story of their existence and can be found today in an isolated portion of the Pinto Basin. These fossil bones, however, have lived a hard life and are rarely found intact. Split and slivered fragments that have been wind abraded are the norm. However, we've been wanting to visit this location for quite some time just to stand in the presence of these relics from the past and let our minds drift back to what was going on here a million years ago.

Also, there's another reason for visiting this area. Shortly after the end of the Pleistocene era, as a gradual warming trend began to shrink the marshy lake that once was a major feature of the Pinto Basin, small groups of hunters filtered into the basin and set up primitive camps along the edge of what was now a marshy stream that ran the length of the basin. They hunted relatively modern animals such as tortoises, iguanas, chuckwallas, birds, cottontails, jackrabbits, squirrels, wood rats, coyotes, fox, bobcat and bighorn sheep. Evidence of their dietary habits has been documented by archaeologists who have located their ancient campsites. Also present are lithic scatters from tool and projectile point manufacture. Their very distinctive projectile points were given the name Pinto points and their culture, which flourished from 8,000 to 4,000 years ago, came to be referred to as the Pinto culture. In the early 1930's, Elizabeth and William Campbell were the first to uncover both the fossil bones of large Pleistocene mammals and the cultural remains of the Pinto people. What a double play! Our adventure today is therefore not only going to be a hunt for Pleistocene fossils, but we'll also be on the lookout for rare remains of these now vanished earliest inhabitants of JTNP.

As we shoulder our daypacks this morning, we're joined by Mohave Blake, whose past experience as a geologist is bound to come in handy. Will we be successful in our hunt? You'll just have to click on the photo link below to find out!

(Remember, it's illegal to remove fossils and Indian artifacts; instead, take photographs and bring back memories.)

JTNP: Hike to the Eagle Cliff Mine

The Eagle Cliff Mine makes an interesting day hike destination if you're ever in Joshua Tree National Park. Due to the moderately rugged approach, you probably won't be seeing too many tourists here. What you will see are some scenic rocky peaks and boulder piles, plenty of vegetation and a most amazing miners' cabin built into a rock shelter at the edge of what seems to be the only flat spot for miles around. This rock shelter cabin and the nearby inclined mine shaft are remnants from an early mining venture in what was the McHaney Mining District. The location date on the mining claim papers is 1895 so this is indeed one of the older mines in the area. Patty Furbush's On Foot in Joshua Tree National Park describes the Eagle Cliff Mine area well and presents two possible routes up to the site. However, since we're joining David and Cindy again, we can relax and let David, who has been up to the mine before, blaze the trail.

After a short drive, we've arrived at the Split Rock Picnic Area, which will be the starting point for our hike. This route is shorter but slightly harder than starting from the Desert Queen Mine. It's another beautiful day and we can hardly wait to get going! Whether you're thinking of doing this hike yourself or are simply looking for an interesting virtual adventure, you'll be glad that you clicked on the photo link below and joined us for this trip!

JTNP: Pictograph Sites and Garrett's Arch

Although we've done a few trips to Joshua Tree National Park, our knowledge pales in comparison to that of our friend David. He's spent many years prowling the park and has made numerous significant discoveries. When he asked us if we'd like to join him and his girlfriend Cindy to check out a couple of pictograph sites and Garrett's Arch, we couldn't say "Yes" fast enough!

The plan is to spend the morning doing some easy hikes to three different sites. The first is a large rock shelter that's situated high above a canyon floor. This picturesque shelter contains numerous multi-colored pictographs and a few petroglyphs. The second stop will be another secluded rock shelter and some very striking red pictographs that archaeologists feel form a summer solstice marker. The last site of the morning is the famous Red Lady pictograph, which is found low on the sheltered wall of a boulder and is part of a solstice marker and fertility site. We're going to be joined on these morning hikes by Matt , David's friend, and by Matt's 's daughter, Kirsten.

In the afternoon, it's off with David and Cindy through the maze of the Wonderland of Rocks to a remarkable hollowed out boulder and then on to Garrett's Arch. This arch, the largest in the park, was first located by back country ranger Gary Garrett. If you're familiar with the Wonderland of Rocks, then you'll understand why we're overjoyed that David will be doing the route finding. This is one seriously difficult spot to navigate!

The wildflowers are blooming, the sky's a brilliant blue and a day of adventure awaits! There's nothing like some cyber exploring to put a smile on your face, so get to clicking on the photo link below and join us!

JTNP: An Overnight Backpack into the Past

It's funny how one thing leads to another. When we read Colin Fletcher's The Man from the Cave while doing research for our hike to Chuckawalla Bill's cabin, we came across a comment by one of Bill's friends. He mentioned that whenever Bill was out prospecting and camped at Cottonwood Spring, he always made it a point to go visit Lee Lyons, an old prospecting buddy, "who had built himself a cabin over at Conejo Well, about ten miles away, and had lived there for about three years. He had three burros and would get a little gold, not much, from up behind his camp." He then went on to say, "I remember that Bill really liked Lee's camp. Thought it was one of the most beautiful places in the desert. And it was a beautiful place he had there, right enough. Water piped down and all that." That image got lodged in our brains and eventually curiosity got the better of us. What does the Conejo Well area look like today? Is there anything left of the idyllic camp that Lee Lyons built there? There's only one way to find out!

This morning we've grabbed a campsite at Cottonwood Spring to serve as our base camp for the hike. Our packs, which sit expectantly on the picnic table, are heavy with water and camping gear since it's just a little too far to hike out to Conejo Well, have plenty of time to explore it, and then hike back all in the same day. Also, since we're going to be out there, we've decided that we want to do a bit of a detour to check out another prospect. That will add a couple more miles to the total. Camping overnight at Conejo Well seems like the only solution and should be a lot of fun. Mohave Blake is going to arrive at our base camp campsite later this morning and keep an eye on the Jeep in between his hikes to Cottonwood Spring, Wood Spring, and to explore a surviving section of the old wagon road that bypasses the water fall below Cottonwood Spring. We'll be looking forward to seeing him tomorrow afternoon when we return from our adventure.

So, are you as curious as we are about what we'll find? Let's hit the trail then and take a hike back into the past! Just click on the photo link below to get started.

MNP: Exploring the Southern Granite Mountains

Boulders. Granite boulders. Lots of 'em. That's all that we can see through the windshield of the Lizardmobile as we slowly jounce uphill toward the base of the southern slopes of the Granite Mountains. It's hard to imagine that we'll find much of anything in such a harsh environment. However, we already know that there's a spring in the upper reaches of one of the washes and that's going to be our first goal for the day. We also know that there should be plenty of wildflowers in bloom at this time of year. Our other goal, and the main reason that we've come here, is because this area was once prime real estate for prehistoric Indians. Water, as well as ample vegetable and animal food sources, made it possible for the flourishing of a substantial population over a long period of time. Evidence of this occupation takes many forms. We're hoping to be able to find some of the pictographs that have been hidden away in rock shelters amidst this vast expanse of boulders. It's going to be the proverbial hunt for the needle in the haystack and we realize that we may not be successful. Other evidence of prehistoric habitation could come in the form of petroglyphs, lithic scatters and pottery fragments. We'll keep an eye out for all of them! Hey, why don't you come along, too? We can use all the help we can get! Just grab your virtual daypack and click on the photo link below!

MNP: The Silver Lode Mine

We've always wanted to spend more time in the Granite Mountains, which are part of the sprawling Mojave National Preserve, and since work schedules make it possible to free up a three day weekend, we decide to load up the truck and head out! The weather forecast is calling for a cold front moving through the area with extremely high winds but you know how it is when you've got your mind set on doing something! We'll keep our fingers crossed.

The Granite Mountains are quite striking. Their eighty-five square miles of granite boulders and towering spires create a myriad of photogenic shapes that rise from 2,000 feet to almost 7,000 feet. Such a lofty elevation and the presence of numerous springs creates a variety of niches for animal and vegetable food sources that made it possible for prehistoric people to establish consistent habitation sites here. Today, though, we're going to check out an old silver mine. We'll save the hunt for pictographs and habitation sites for tomorrow and Monday. The mine we're heading for is the Silver Lode. As you might expect from its name, it was primarily a silver producer but reports show that the ore also contained traces of copper, lead and zinc. It's located up in the hills on the south side of Cottonwood Wash, the major drainage on the east side of the mountains. Other than those facts, we have no idea what we'll find! It's a beautiful morning with light breezes so we're hoping that the forecast is overly pessimistic. Are you up for a bit of exploring? We thought so! Come on, then, cinch up that day pack and let's get going! Just a click of your mouse on the photo link below will bring you right to the trailhead!

JTNP: The Coyote and Snow Cloud Mines

In 1892, a small quartz deposit was discovered in the Cottonwood Mountains and named the Coyote Mine. Records show that in 1933 the mine was being worked by a family who lived in the old Iron Chief pump house at Cottonwood Springs. With the construction of a five stamp mill in Cottonwood Wash by Chester Moorten and Edith Hopper, the ore from the Coyote and several other claims was conveniently crushed by the mill's 200 pound stamps. Both the mine and the mill ceased operation in the late 1930's. Once we read that information we decided that we wanted to find the Coyote Mine and see what was left of it. After all, there could be some interesting historic trash there!

Since we're already going to be in the Cottonwood Mountains, we also decide to explore the Pinkham Canyon Trail and check out another 1930's era mine along the way. This other mine is the Snow Cloud Mine. It was first located in 1934 and development by the late 1930's consisted of a 60' deep inclined shaft and several adits. Bill Keys, of Death Valley and Joshua Tree fame, is supposed to have worked this mine. Mohave Blake was itching to get out to the desert so we decide to join forces for this relaxed day trip. If you're not too busy, we'd love to have you come along too! Just click on the photo link below and you'll be yanked through cyber space and dumped out near Chiriaco Summit ready to hit the road!

JTNP: Southern Eagle Mountains - Take Two

Just before sunset on our last trip into this area we saw the tailings of another mine across the valley. Our purpose today is to visit that site and see what's there. If time permits we might also head back over to the 1940's era gold mine that we partially explored last time. First, though, we're going to make a stop at a different location and check out another seldom visited petroglyph site. This sounds like another busy and potentially long day! As an added bonus, we're also hoping that the early wildflower bloom that we saw last time will have developed even more over the last several weeks. If it has, we can look forward to lots of vibrant colors and sweet smells! You know the drill, gear up and let's get exploring! Click on the photo link whenever you're ready!

JTNP: Petroglyphs in the Southern Eagle Mountains

Finally, after some wet and unsettled weather, the second weekend of January looks like a good one for the long day hike that we've been planning into the canyons of the Southern Eagle Mountains. These mountains form the southeastern boundary of Joshua Tree National Park. Even though they're part of JTNP, they're rarely visited due to the fact that they're dry, remote and any hiking into them is of the cross country variety.

Why did we pick this spot? Well, in doing some research we came upon a few clues regarding possible prehistoric Indian use that raised a few questions that got our curiosity going and you know what that leads to! What the heck is in this area, anyway? Nobody ever goes there and it seems that precious little is known about it. So we decided that, kinda like a desert version of Columbus, we'd set off on a hike of discovery. We weren't really worried about falling off the edge of the Earth like Columbus was, but it would be awfully embarrassing to hike all day and not find a thing. The pressure was on! In case we struck out in the rock art department, we loaded the coordinates of an old gold mine into our GPS and figured that we could always check that out if all else fails. So, do you like to gamble? If so, you'll definitely want to join us for a day of hiking and exploring. You might just want to set your headlamp and some snacks down by your mouse, though, because something tells me that this could be a long but eventful day! Click on the photo link below to get going now because these winter days are short and we'll need all the light we can get!

JTNP: Hike to Chuckawalla Bill's Cabin

Nestled on a bench above a side wash in a wilderness area in Joshua Tree National Park are the remains of a small stone cabin from the 1930's. There really isn't much left of the cabin, the scenery is only mediocre at best, and the hike is around nine miles round trip. So who would bother going there? Oh, I know the answer to this one! We would! Right about now you're probably shaking your head and wondering why. Have those Dzrtgrls been out in the sun too long?

The simple answer is that we wanted to meet Anthony William Simmons, also known as Chuckawalla Bill. We don't mean "meet" in the literal sense because he's long since moved on to the big campfire in the sky. Rather, we were hoping that this cabin, which Bill renovated in 1932 and lived in until around 1936, would help us get a better understanding of him. Sort of act as a portal to the past, as it were. He seems like the prototypical vagabond prospector. His sly humor can be seen in his nickname, Chuckawalla, which he supposedly got after he passed off a chuckwalla lizard as fish and served it to a visiting priest. But there's more to him than just that, a lot more. Colin Fletcher's book, The Man From the Cave, digs deep into the essence of Bill. It starts in 1968 with Fletcher's discovery of a cave in the Nevada desert while backpacking cross country. He becomes fascinated with this cave dweller and decides to try to find out who he was. Fletcher then goes on to document the findings of ten years of detective work which lays bare the entire life of the man who Fletcher is able to identify from scraps of information bighorn skullfound in an old foot locker and from other items scattered around the long abandoned hideout. That man, of course, is Chuckawalla Bill. Aspects of the life that Bill led resonated with us and made us realize that we had a lot in common with him. We knew immediately that some day we'd have to hike there and soak up the history of his old cabin...and today is the day!

If you've read the book, then you probably feel the same way and will want to join us on the cyber version of our hike. If not, then you might want to pass...but be warned that you'll miss the huge bighorn sheep skull complete with full curl horns and also the headless coyote. Gotcha, eh? We knew you couldn't pass up those hooks! Just click on the photo link below and we'll get started!

DVNP: "Z" Canyon Petroglyphs

Some time ago we read an article in an archaeological journal about a tiny slot canyon in Death Valley that twists its way steeply upward into the mountains that guard its secret. The route up this canyon is slow and tortuous due to the many slick, steep dryfall chutes that require more than a passing acquaintance with ropes, harness, carabiners, wedges and cams. What's up this canyon that would justify such an expenditure of time, equipment and effort? The answer is three things: petroglyphs, pictographs and magic. It's one of those symbiotic relationships. The petros and pictos, by themselves, aren't really that fantastic and the canyon, by itself, is just another nasty twisting narrow defile that are a dime a dozen in Death Valley. Together, though, the magic is palpable.

After doing some major shivering in our sleeping bags last night, we were ready for some magic. Thanks to Dezdan, who as a Death Valley local now picks up all sorts of interesting information, we're going to visit "Z" Canyon. Of course that's not its real name, but you already figured that out. Dan, Guy and Micah have brought the climbing gear that we'll need, along with the patience to put up with those of us who are more vertically challenged. Micah, who will be doing the free climbing to rig the belays at the top of the chutes, has also brought his helmet and climbing shoes. Just thinking about this adventure has already warmed us up considerably!

We'll be packed up and ready to head out in just a few minutes, so if you want to come along you have just enough time to lash yourself into your chair and tie a bowline around your mouse before you start clicking on the photo link below.

DVNP: The Ulida Mine

It was around 1875 when W. L. Hunter discovered the vivid greenish-blue ledges that would become the historic Ulida Mine. The Ulida promised vast wealth from its copper, gold and silver bearing ore. In reality, it didn't quite work out that way. Those mining gods are fickle and the Ulida eventually sank into obscurity. Today, it's best remembered as being the first discovery that opened up the Ubehebe Mining District to a whole passel of wild eyed prospectors. Old mines seem to pull us like magnets and we find that just thinking about our adventure to the Ulida Mine today sets our pulses pounding like the hoof beats of a herd of burros heading for a water hole.

Consequently, we're up early this morning in spite of the frigid temperatures. After our hike to the Nelson Range petroglyph site yesterday, we spent the night in a cabin that Dezdan had told us about. In fact, the plan was that Dan would rendezvous with us last night and then this morning we'd all head out to join up with Guy and Alysia and Micah and Annie before heading up to the Ulida Mine. Dan's cabin was a real life saver because as the sun set the temperatures became arctic. However, as the hours passed, we'd already sacrificed almost all of our wood to the tin stove that squatted in the center of the cabin floor and things were looking grim. Then, just as we had given up hope of seeing Dan, a flash of headlights in the valley below was enough to warrant a shout-out on the radio. Sure enough, it was Dan and he had a ton of wood! He dutifully slept next to the stove and fed it all night...well, except for when he fell asleep. This impressed us so much that we even forgave him for the silly electronic recreation of a loon, which he had aptly named "Loonie" and insisted on coaxing into constantly making its obnoxious loon call!

Anyway, it's morning now and we're grabbing a bite to eat as we load up the trucks. If you're going to join us for this trip, you'd better wander over and turn the thermostat up a notch, put the coffee pot on and grab a jacket because it's going to be a cold day! Just click on the photo link below when you're ready and we'll head out!

DVNP: Nelson Range Petroglyph Site

Tucked away in Death Valley's Nelson Range is a pretty spectacular petroglyph site. Archaeological journals state that it's the northernmost site to reflect the Coso petroglyph style. This jewel sprawls its way up a canyon that was apparently a native American migration route as well as a camping spot and water source. The sheer volume and diversity of rock art points to constant use over a very long period of time. Eventually, as Indian activity ceased with the passage of years, the canyon took on a different character. It became host to pack trains laden with supplies for isolated mining camps, miners themselves tramping their way to untold riches just over the next ridge, and cowboys running range cattle. These individuals also left their mark on the canyon walls in the form of some interesting historical inscriptions that date from the late 1800's and early 1900's. Obviously, this spot is going to be well worth a visit!

Since there are no longer any roads or trails that lead to this site, a cross country hike is necessary. It's a cold, windy morning so we're careful to add appropriate clothing and warm gloves to our packs. In addition to our usual camera gear we're also taking some collapsible reflectors because petroglyphs in canyons are often difficult to photograph due to deep shadows. With food and water on board we're ready to head out. How about joining us for the cyber version? If you're an archaeology buff, we think you'll like this trip. We're not giving any directions or hints regarding location, routes and so forth, so your best bet is to grab a warm jacket, call out for some delivery pizza and get to clicking with that mouse on the photo links below. This is going to be an all day affair so settle back in that chair and pace yourself!

JTNP: Exploring the Twin Tanks Area

If you're looking, as we were, for a short but scenic day hike, you'd be hard pressed to find a better spot for it than Joshua Tree National Park. We'd heard about some petroglyphs in the Twin Tanks area so that was our goal for the day. As usual, along the way we found more than we expected. Solitude was the first surprise since the parking lot at the trailhead was bustling. However, we didn't see a single soul for the entire day! The other thing that surprised us was the amount of pottery fragments that turned up. Either there were a few clumsy Indians around many years ago or the population was much larger than we would have expected. In any case, these little gems from the past always brought a shout of discovery from us. We did find the petroglyphs. They're quite well hidden in the rock walls of a dry waterfall. Even more satisfying was the discovery of a rock shelter, bedrock mortar and a few pottery fragments that marked the location of a small camp amidst a huge boulder pile. On our way back we also visited the Twin Tanks area with its petroglyphs, historic dams built by long vanished cattle ranchers, and scenic location. A few other odds and ends turned up as well but you'll have to get to clicking on the photo link below to get the whole story!

DVNP: Ubehebe Talc Mine and Hunter Cabin

There's nothing like waking up on a brisk desert morning to a colorful sunrise! Our little group of Dezdan, Boxcar Dan, Guy and Alysia and the Dzrtgrls are camped at the Ubehebe Talc Mine, which is located up in the hills west of Ulida Flat. Our plan for today is to explore this mine, also known as the Stone Pencil Mine, and then to check out the old Hunter Cabin site later in the day on our way home.

The Ubehebe was mined for steatite grade talc during World War II. This extremely high grade talc was used for cosmetics and high frequency electrical insulators. There are still considerable reserves of talc remaining in the surrounding hills, but the site's inaccessibility and narrow access road make further development unprofitable and it's been in a state of gradual decay since it was last worked around the 1950's. There's still a fair amount of mining equipment and old structures to see up at the mine and lots of interesting trash scattered below at the mine camp near where we spent the night. If our chief tunnel rats Dezdan and Guy feel that it's safe, there might even be some exploration of the main tunnel.

Even though everyone's still snuggled into the warmth of their sleeping bags at our 5,400' camp, the sunrise is just too beautiful to waste and the Dzrtgrls sneak up to the mine for a preview of the day to come. If you want to join us, then throw on a warm coat, grab your camera and click on the photo link below. The marvelous sunrise colors are too good to miss! Also, bring your headlamp in case we can get into the tunnel later! Breakfast can wait! This is too good to pass up!

DVNP: Panamint Basin Rock Art Site and the Mule Tail Mine

There's a vast basin in the northern Panamint Range in Death Valley National Park. Although lots of canyons and washes drain into it, there is no outlet. Not that this matters much now because since the last ice age the same gradual climate changes that have dried up Death Valley's huge Lake Manly have also desiccated this spot. If we could travel back in time, though, we might find it a more hospitable place. Apparently the early Indians found its marshy character to provide good hunting. When you have a good thing you want to celebrate it and try to guarantee that it will continue. Possibly that's what was going on in a small pictograph shelter tucked away on the margins of this depression. This rock shelter and its art work is our primary goal for today. This is going to be a group effort. The basin is huge and we'll need all the bodies that we can muster if we hope to find this proverbial needle in a haystack. Fellow desertologists Guy and Alysia, Dezdan and Boxcar Dan will accompany us on our quest.

We also plan to check in on a very remote mine that's in the area. The Mule Tail Mine, whose discovery is attributed to Shorty Harris, is thought by many to be the site of the first strike that started the Goldbelt Mining District. This small talc mine had enough traces of gold and tungsten in its ore to set off a flurry of mining activity in the vicinity. Nowadays, though, it's rarely visited due to its isolated nature and the poor condition of the road.

If you feel like traipsing around the back country, then why not join us? Just fire up that all wheel drive mouse and get to clicking on the photo link below!

Tungsten Flat, Vontrigger Hills and a Granite Mountain Spring

The noisy ghost that haunted our campsite last night either lost interest or got blown into the next county by the strong winds. In either case, we had a snug night and dawn finds us straggling awake and getting ready for the day ahead. Our campsite is in Tungsten Flat, northeast of the Leiser Ray Mine and just east of Billie Mountain. The Tungsten Flat Mining District was a tungsten and gold producing collection of small claims. Today we'll check out a few of them, most notably the Lord and Irish, which has a pretty impressive artifact scatter indicating that it must have been a bustling little camp. After that we'll head due west, cross Sacramento Wash, and visit the Vontrigger Hills again. In addition to checking out the pictograph site we visited last time, we'll also find some new petroglyphs and a couple of nearby pottery pieces. The big find of the day is an old miner's shelter. It's built around an old rock shelter and there's also a small rock dam which creates a water catchment basin. Another larger natural shelter nearby hints at past Indian use with a nice sized pottery fragment. Finally, we'll head over to the Granite Mountains to check out a spring site and some historic inscriptions. To join Guy and Alysia, Dezdan and the Dzrtgrls in this potpourri of desert offerings, all you have to do is click on the photo link below.

Goffs and the Leiser Ray Mine

It's funny how things often come full circle in life. Take Goffs for example. At one time it was a major stop on Route 66 as well as an important railroad town located at the summit of the long climb out of Needles. It was also a center for the numerous mines in the area and later became home for troops training in desert warfare during WWII. Then it began a slow decline, which was better than extinction which was the fate of the nearby towns of Homer, Blackburn and Purdy. The Goffs general store was abandoned, as was its schoolhouse and even the railroad depot. The desert began to reclaim this now isolated hamlet. The death knell had sounded.

Today, though, that circle thing has happened and we're headed to a revitalized Goffs for the 28th Annual Mojave Road Rendezvouz. Dennis Casebier, author, raconteur and major force behind the Mojave Desert Heritage and Cultural Association, has almost single-handedly put Goffs back on the map. We're going to start our trip with a visit to the MDHCA complex to check out the interesting artifact assemblages, take a peek at the Mojave Desert Archives Library and view the model of the newest addition to the site, the replica of the old 1900-1956 Goffs depot which will be the new repository for this marvelous library. We'll also be meeting up with Guy and Alysia Starbuck and Dezdan for an afternoon trip into the southern Piute Mountains to the site of the Leiser Ray Mine before we head into Tungsten Basin to camp for the night.

If you're not familiar with this area, here's your chance to tag along! I think you'll have fun; we sure did! Well, at least until we found out that our campsite was haunted!

Havasu Canyon Backpack

Pictures are a dangerous thing. Not only are they worth a thousand words but we'll toss in a thousand emotions as well. The first photos that we saw from Havasu Canyon were all that it took. We had to go there. The images of thunderous falls, blue green water, red rock canyons and deep blue skies couldn't be ignored. We also liked the fact that you couldn't just drive there. There are no roads. You either take a helicopter to the village of Supai and then hike down another two miles to the campground, take a mule train down or hike the whole ten miles carrying all your gear on your back. That last choice resonated the most with us. Any other way down would just dilute the whole experience. We wanted to put our boots on rock and sand, feel the sweat run off our foreheads, hear the creak of our packs, and sense the subtle changes of light, color, and temperature. Niki's mom and her sister Joyce also fell victim to the lure of the photos and a trip was born. Hiking permits and camping reservations were arranged with the Havasupai tribe as well as getting a week off work from cooperative employers. We're going on an adventure!

As always, you're more than welcome to shoulder your cyber backpack and join us! Head out to the kitchen and make up some sandwiches and grab a couple of energy bars, though, 'cause you're going to be camped in front of your computer for five days! And we have a hunch that after this virtual trip you just might want to do the real thing! If so, all the information that you'll need can be accessed at the Havasupai tribe's website.

Well, here we are! The view from the trailhead on Hualapai Hilltop is not only breathtaking but also intimidating. The trail drops thousands of feet in writhing switchbacks to the canyon below. Can we really do this? It's time to take that first step and find out!