Starbuck's Exploring

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California

324 posts

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

Long Shot Mine

Long Shot Mine

Back in 2003, Alysia and I met up with my dad, Brad, and friends to hunt for a remote old mine out in the Mojave desert. Several quartz veins here worked for gold as late as the 1950s. The mines aren’t deep but don’t seem to be played

Rosalie (Valley Wells)

Rosalie (Valley Wells)

Just off Interstate 15, in the shadow of Clark Mountain, lie the scattered ruins of Rosalie, also known as Valley Wells. Rosalie's tale began in 1898 when the Ivanpah Smelting Company of Los Angeles recognized the potential of nearby copper deposits. They sank two wells at a site

Carlyle Mine

Carlyle Mine

The Carlyle mine, also known as the Carlysle or Carlisle mine, is perched on the steep north slope of the Pinto Mountains. It was first discovered in 1902, but extensive mine development didn't start until 1911. A mill was built sometime in the 1910s. In 1936, the Carlyle

Moser Mine

Moser Mine

In 2004, We met up with our friends Dan, Annie, and Micah to explore this old mine in the southern part of Joshua Tree. We spent most of the day hiking to this old mine camp. We were surprised to find a few old cabins, the mill remains, and an