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.

500 posts

Lost Horse Mine

Lost Horse Mine

If you are a fan of mining history and scenic desert hikes (and I think you probably are since you are reading this), you should stop by the Lost Horse Mine. The Lost Horse Mine is well-known, but its history remains obscure to most. Few people hike the entire loop

Lucky Boy Vista

Lucky Boy Vista

This short trail heads out to the site of the Elton Mine (originally called the Lucky Boy and the Elltun) and the fantastic Lucky Boy Vista. The trail follows the old mine road out to the mine and then returns via a wash. There isn't anything left of

January 2024 News

January 2024 News

New year, new updates. I had planned to post this update at the end of March, keeping with my goal of quarterly updates, but I've been working on the site. Site updates Trip Maps I've updated all of the existing maps on trip reports that have

Fried Liver Wash

Fried Liver Wash

Fried Liver Wash is one of those hikes in Joshua Tree that really tests your appreciation for subtle desert landscapes. The canyon itself is pretty unremarkable - just a long stretch of typical desert scenery. And when I say long, I mean it. This is a 15.4-mile one-way trek,

December 2023 News

December 2023 News

It's the end of another interesting year. I've been going out on shorter trips for the last two months since the last newsletter in October. I've been posting backcountry cabins lately for some reason. As usual, I've tried to post all my

Riley's Camp

Riley's Camp

Possibly one of the most well-known backcountry cabins in the Mojave National Preserve is Riley's Camp. John Riley Bembry was born on February 5, 1899, in Arapaho, Oklahoma. He preferred to be called Riley instead of John because he found it more distinctive. After serving in World War

Geer Camp

Geer Camp

Geer Camp is one of my favorite places in the Mojave National Preserve. It is a small and cozy cabin with a great view and makes for an ideal place to camp if you are in the area. Robert R. Geer built the small, one-room cabin in 1940 as a