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California

304 posts

Holbrook Prospect

Holbrook Prospect

I stumbled across this remote mining prospect and cabin site in the wilds of Death Valley. I’ve looked through my research books but couldn’t find any information on this place. Judging by the debris, the cabin dates from the 1950s or earlier, but I’m only guessing. Someone

Black Hands Pictographs

Black Hands Pictographs

I found these solitary black pictographs hidden under a pile of granite boulders out at the northern end of Joshua Tree National Park. The pictographs here are very faded. A casual passerby wouldn’t even notice them. You have to know what you are looking for and stop a minute

Old Dad Mountain Petroglyphs

Old Dad Mountain Petroglyphs

On a cold January day in 2015, I hiked out into the wilderness of the Old Dad Mountains in the Mojave Desert. Just driving out there was a bit of a challenge; the roads were long and rocky. After parking the truck, I hiked up an alluvial and entered into

MacClatchie Power Mine

MacClatchie Power Mine

A long hike into the Death Valley region led us to this small mining operation. Judging from the artifacts found at the site, the mine was probably worked during the 1930s Depression and WWII eras. Inside the mine is an ore car, which is always an amazing find. Seeing a

Fan Mine

Fan Mine

This is a small mine out in the East Mojave. History is vague on this prospect, but it is probably old and reworked a few times. The mine consists of a few short adits, one with a winze filled with crystal clear water and a small stope. Outside the mine

Cary's Sun Cave

Cary's Sun Cave

Out in the area near Cary’s Castle is a fascinating pictograph site hidden under a large boulder. It took a few long hikes and a lot of research to track it down. And when we finally did find it, we didn’t get back to the trailhead until well

Keystone Signpost Petroglyphs

Keystone Signpost Petroglyphs

This lone petroglyph boulder is way out in a wash deep into the Joshua Tree wilderness. We suspect it served as a signpost for Indians to find other sites which aren’t too far away. The 'key' symbols are a very interesting element in this panel. No directions