Starbuck's Exploring

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Guy Starbuck

Guy has explored the deserts and mountains of the southwestern US for more than thirty-five years. In that time, he has found a couple of hidden and remote locations that don't see many visitors.

503 posts

Big Wall Petroglyphs

Big Wall Petroglyphs

In late 2017, my friend JP and I explored the backcountry of Joshua Tree National Park. On our way to another site, we stopped at a small petroglyph site in a wash that we are calling the "Big Wall Petroglyphs." There are only a handful of petroglyphs here,

Vontrigger Springs

Vontrigger Springs

Also known as Von Trigger Springs, the spring and surrounding hills were first prospected in 1858 (some say the 1870s) by a German man named Erick Vontrigger for gold. He found a rich pocket of gold but kept his discovery secret. He died in San Francisco in 1880, taking his

May 2022 News

May 2022 News

The last two months since the March news update have been exciting! We've had a few changes here, mainly with the addition of a great new author Hugh Smith! Please check out his impressive trip report on the Hanging Valley and Tungstar Mine, if you haven't

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

Fortynine Palms Oasis

Fortynine Palms Oasis

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

Sauerkraut Trail Petroglyphs

Sauerkraut Trail Petroglyphs

Early in 2021, we were on a trip into the wilds of Death Valley to hunt down some lesser-known petroglyph sites in the area. This site is a mile-long set of ancient petroglyphs along an old Native American trail. It is a fascinating site. We were really surprised at just

Golden Bee Mine

Golden Bee Mine

Most people who visit the Cholla Cactus Garden don't know is an old mine with an interesting history is just a few miles away, gazing down on them. There are a few minor prospects scattered along this side of the Hexie Mountains, but two gold veins were discovered