Field notes from exploring backcountry locations of the Western United States

Starbuck's Exploring

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GPS

GPS

These trips have GPS waypoints (but not necessarily detailed directions). I will add more as I have time. GPS coordinates are in Degrees unless otherwise stated. WGS84 Datum.

Duct Peak

Duct Peak

Back in early 2016, I dusted off my peak-bagging boots and decided to climb up the 3,137 ft Duct Peak. It's a small peak in the far eastern part of Joshua Tree in what I call the "Empty Quarter" of the park. This section of the park is undeveloped

Vontrigger Springs

Vontrigger Springs

We first visited this site in 2007 with the Dzrtgrls and Dan. I made a return trip when I was in the area recently to check on the site. Also known as Von Trigger Springs, the spring and surrounding hills were first prospected in 1858 (some say the 1870s) by

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. The oldest mine in the Silurian Hills, the Riggs Mine was

Fortynine Palms Oasis

Fortynine Palms Oasis

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

Golden Bee Mine

Golden Bee Mine

Most people who visit the Cholla Cactus Garden in Joshua Tree don't know that there is an old mine with an interesting bit of history just a few miles away gazing down on them. There are a few small prospects scattered along this side of the Hexie Mountains but two

Hanging Valley and Tungstar Mines

Hanging Valley and Tungstar Mines

In the late 1930s and early 1940s, surging worldwide demand for tungsten led to the opening of several tungsten mines in the High Sierra above Bishop. Two small but relatively high-grade ore bodies were discovered on the west side of Mt. Tom, which would become the Hanging Valley Mine and

Morning Glory Mine (Death Valley)

Morning Glory Mine (Death Valley)

The Morning Glory Mine is a neat little mine high up in pinyon pines of Trail Canyon. It's not easy to reach, so it doesn't get as much visitation as other places in Death Valley. You really have to want to go there. And despite the long hike and rough