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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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

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