Field notes from exploring backcountry locations of the Western United States

Starbuck's Exploring

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Guy Starbuck

Guy has explored the deserts and mountains of the southwestern U.S. since the early 1980s. In that time, he has found hidden and remote locations that don't see many visitors.

Chuckawalla Bill's

Chuckawalla Bill's

William Anthony Simon, also known as Anthony William Simmons but more famously as "Chuckawalla Bill", fixed up this little cabin and lived here from around 1932 to 1936. Born on August 2nd, 1875 in Pennsylvania. He served in the U.S. Army during the Spanish-American War and later in with

July 2022 News

July 2022 News

Since the May 2022 update, I've done some work on updating the look and feel of the site. The site has a new theme (which I'm still thinking about. I'm picky about the way the site looks). I added a new Search option that I'm very happy about. (See the

Lucky Turkey Arrastra and Blind Mule Placer Cabin

Lucky Turkey Arrastra and Blind Mule Placer Cabin

These mines out in the backcountry of Joshua Tree are a bit of a mystery as very little is known about them. The hike visits a roofless stone cabin first, then heads over to the Lucky Turkey Mine and arrastra, and then finally out to a cabin at the Blind

Sunnyside Mill

Sunnyside Mill

Deep in the forests of central Idaho and almost entirely surrounded by the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness is the Sunnyside Mine. Once a large mine, it has been completely reclaimed. It does have some mill ruins left. Discovered by the Caswell brothers in 1899, they sold the mine

Ward Stamp Mill

Ward Stamp Mill

Up in the high country of the Eastern Sierra and south of Bridgeport, is the old site of Ward. Never a big mine or camp but it makes an interesting place to visit in that a stamp mill still remains there. It's also a bit of a challenge to get

American Flag Mine Cabin

American Flag Mine Cabin

I couldn't find any history on the American Flag Mine or the cabin. I first visited the cabin in 2016 and stopped by for another visit in 2022. Little has changed. I believe volunteers and the NPS have both made repairs to the place (The cabin is inside of the

Duct Peak

Duct Peak

Back in early 2016, I dusted off my peak-bagging boots and decided to climb up the 3,137 ft Duct Peak. It's a small peak in the far eastern part of Joshua Tree in what I call the "Empty Quarter" of the park. This section of the park is undeveloped