Starbuck's Exploring

Sign in Subscribe

California

308 posts

Alta Silver and Rock Eagle Mines

Alta Silver and Rock Eagle Mines

Way back in 2004, I met up with Dan, my dad, Micah, Lewis, his son Aaron, Werner, John, and his cousin for a trip to some out-of-the-way mines out in the Mojave desert. Some of these are very old mines. This mine was discovered by Frank Riggs, who worked the

Arcturus Mine and Buckwheat Wash Dunes

Arcturus Mine and Buckwheat Wash Dunes

Down in the southern end of Death Valley, a small group of mines lies hidden in a low set of hills. Also known as the Ibex, it was first prospected for copper and silver in the 1880s but was developed as a mine in 1914 by the Ibex Spring Mining

Easy Pickings Cabin

Easy Pickings Cabin

This little, out-of-the-way cabin has been in pristine shape for a long time. I first visited the place in 2001 and was surprised to find the place so clean and in great shape. We made a return visit nine years later and found it to be in just as good

Perseverance Mine

Perseverance Mine

In 2006, we met up with a few old friends: Bill C., Lewis, Cat, Micah, Snow Nymph, Desert Mouse, Dan, Brian, and family, for this hike to a forgotten and seldom visited mine camp. We stayed up a little too late the night before, having a good time and reminiscing,

White Cliffs Petroglyphs

White Cliffs Petroglyphs

In 2010, Dan and I went out exploring Death Valley National Park. On one of the days of this multi-day trip, we took a long hike out into the remote backcountry and came across a small canyon of white rock. Carved into this soft volcanic ash, we found a series

Willis Well Petroglyphs

Willis Well Petroglyphs

Willis Well is an interesting place. For centuries, Native Americans camped in the spring (really just a seep). Numerous Desert Archaic petroglyphs cover the boulders near the spring. They are mostly abstract designs. Their meanings were lost in antiquity.

Montague Mine Cabin

Montague Mine Cabin

In 2011, we took a rough 4WD trip up to the top of the Sweetwater Mountains to see the Montague Mine Cabin. The mines in the area were active in the 1880s, but there isn't much left of them today. The cabin is in better condition but is