Field notes from exploring backcountry locations of the Western United States

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Arizona's Sonoran Desert

Tyson Wash Petroglyphs

Tyson Wash Petroglyphs

We made a brief stop at the well-known Tyson Wash petroglyphs. The fact that the site has seen heavy visitation for years and isn’t vandalized is kind of amazing.

The lighting wasn’t very good when we were there so my photos aren’t the best. We looked for a second site that is supposed to be close by, but I didn’t find it.

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Outlaw Mine

Outlaw Mine

The Outlaw Mine is one of those places I wanted to go to because it was so remote. I knew there wasn't going to be much left at the site but I still wanted to go and see it. The area is so remote, so desolate. It is one of

John's Camp and the Boulder Cabin

John's Camp and the Boulder Cabin

In 1929 the Gold Hill Mine, comprising five claims about a mile west of the Pinto Wye Arrastra in Joshua Tree National Park, was owned by C.H. Wiser and Anvil B. Johns of Rialto, California, and J.A. Johns of San Bernardino. They set up John's Camp nearby to

Porcupine Wash and Ruby Lee Millsite

Porcupine Wash and Ruby Lee Millsite

Down in the southern end of Joshua Tree National Park, the park service has made a trailhead with an open invite to find your own way out to the old mining site of Ruby Lee Mill site and beyond. The Park Service says the mill dates back to the 1870s.