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California

313 posts

American Flag Mine Cabin

American Flag Mine Cabin

Also once known as the Mojave Hilton, I couldn't find any history on the American Flag Mine or the cabin. I first visited the cabin in 2011 before any repairs had been done on it. I stopped by for visits in 2016 and 2022. You can see the

Duct Peak

Duct Peak

You will need to dust off your peak-bagging boots for the trek up the 3,137-foot Duct Peak. This small peak is in the eastern part of Joshua Tree in what I call the "Empty Quarter" of the park. This section of the park is completely undeveloped, and

Big Wall Petroglyphs

Big Wall Petroglyphs

In late 2017, my friend JP and I explored the backcountry of Joshua Tree National Park. On our way to another site, we stopped at a small petroglyph site in a wash that we are calling the "Big Wall Petroglyphs."

Vontrigger Springs

Vontrigger Springs

Also known as Von Trigger Springs, the spring and surrounding hills were first prospected in 1858 (some say the 1870s) by a German man named Erick Vontrigger for gold. He found a rich pocket of gold but kept his discovery secret. He died in San Francisco in 1880, taking his

Riggs Cabin

Riggs Cabin

Out near Baker is the Riggs Cabin at the old Riggs Mine. We first went out there on a chilly January day in 2004. I've been back many times over the years. It makes a nice place to camp.

Fortynine Palms Oasis

Fortynine Palms Oasis

The Fortynine Palms Oasis is a popular and well-traveled hike to a shady palm oasis just outside the town of Twentynine Palms. The trail was once part of an old Indian trail. The Serrano and Chemehuevi Indians knew this oasis well, ate fruit from the palms, and used the fronds

Sauerkraut Trail Petroglyphs

Sauerkraut Trail Petroglyphs

Early in 2021, we were on a trip into the wilds of Death Valley to hunt down some lesser-known petroglyph sites in the area. This site is a mile-long set of ancient petroglyphs along an old Native American trail. It is a fascinating site. We were really surprised at just