Starbuck's Exploring

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Guy Starbuck

Guy has explored the deserts and mountains of the Western US for over three decades. In that time, he has found a couple of hidden and remote locations that don't see many visitors. The best way to contact him is on this site.

518 posts

Hermes Mine and Cinnabar Camp

Hermes Mine and Cinnabar Camp

In 1942, while other mining camps slowly faded into obscurity, Cinnabar Camp was bustling with new construction: a three-story bunkhouse, a dozen cabins, and a mill rising from deep in the central Idaho mountains. This wasn't gold fever or silver dreams driving the activity. The United States needed

Boundary Island Petroglyphs

Boundary Island Petroglyphs

In a far-flung corner of Joshua Tree, there is an isolated boulder outcrop with a few dozen petroglyphs. The petroglyphs are generally abstract in design and could be of Serrano or Chemehuevi origin.

Livingston Mill

Livingston Mill

We got a tour of this mining camp in central Idaho from the caretaker who lives on-site. He was very generous with his time and was happy to show us around. I asked him why the name “Trump” was painted on the mill buildings, and he said: “You never know.

Pipes Canyon

Pipes Canyon

Pipes Canyon is a pleasant and easy hike. The trail heads out from the visitor center at the Pioneertown Mountains Preserve and follows the canyon up into a riparian habitat. The canyon is usually dry, but water does occasionally surface to support this isolated oasis.

Sun Sword and Whale Rock Petroglyphs

Sun Sword and Whale Rock Petroglyphs

With a tip from a friend, I went out searching for a remote set of petroglyphs in the backcountry wilderness of Joshua Tree National Park in early 2020. I had a few clues in my search. I was looking for petroglyphs that were near an old campsite and hidden on

Hunting Grounds Mill

Hunting Grounds Mill

Canebrake Skeleton Pictographs

Canebrake Skeleton Pictographs

Hidden in a granite rock shelter near an ancient Kumeyaay village site is a unique set of pictographs. Most of these pictographs are typical of the La Rumorosa Style, but what is unusual here are the skeleton figures. I have not seen them anywhere else in the Kumeyaay territory.