Chaparrosa Peak
There is nothing historical here, but this is a nice hike to a peak with great views just outside of Joshua Tree.
Directions
Paymaster Mine
The Paymaster Mine, also known as the Black Warrior Mine, was a good producer in the Gold Park district. It had a 140-foot shaft with two levels of drifts and cross-cuts.
Information on ownership and production is scarce. Bill Keys believed it was discovered before 1900 by Bill
Aragonite Mine
Dan and I came across this active claim a little ways north of Tonopah in the outback of Nevada back in 2008. It is an interesting place in some lonely country.
We didn’t know it was active until we explored the mine camp. Of course, we left everything alone.
"Sulphur Dog" Mine
Not it's real name, we read about an old mine deep in the forests of Idaho with the remains of a 10-stamp mill and, more interestingly, a "portable" smelter.
Smelters are rare, and it's even rarer to find one deep in the backcountry.
Cave of the White Orbs
Hidden in the rocks of Joshua Tree is a small pictograph rock shelter called the Cave of the White Orbs. I was asked not to give directions to this location.
In 2021, I had the opportunity to meet up with a friend and head out there. We’ve both covered
Railroad Tie Cabin (Old Womans)
Back in the winter of 2019, my friend JP and I took a hike to a forgotten cabin on the northern end of the Old Woman Mountains out in the Mojave Desert of California. The cabin is inside the Old Woman Wilderness, but isn't a hard hike. It
"Royal Beefeater" Mine
A while back, I took a few days off to do some mine exploring with a friend. He said he had a couple of exciting mines to show me. He wasn’t wrong!
One of the mines we stopped at was first worked in the 1920s and was completely unremarkable