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California

298 posts

Lower Monarch Canyon Mine

Lower Monarch Canyon Mine

After scouting the Indian Mine in the upper reaches of Monarch Canyon of Death Valley, we turned our sights on a solitary adit in the lower part of the canyon. I couldn't find any history on this little prospect, but after heading out there, I'd guess

Goldstar and Pinyon Pine Mine Cabins

Goldstar and Pinyon Pine Mine Cabins

On the eastern slope of the rugged Old Woman Mountains are the remains of two weather-beaten cabins. Unlike the area's earlier gold and silver prospects, these mines targeted barite, a mineral primarily used in oil drilling. Barite (or Baryte) is a mineral consisting of barium sulfate, generally white

Perilous Portal Pictographs

Perilous Portal Pictographs

This amazing site is just around the corner from the Sky Portal site, and I visited it on the same trip. Did I mention that I almost got lost on this trip? I almost got lost on this trip. The GPS device I was using to navigate this maze of

Lady Jeanne Mine

Lady Jeanne Mine

Nestled in the Old Woman Mountains Wilderness, the remote Lady Jeanne Mine is a challenging trek for those seeking beautiful scenery, solitude, and mining history. Surprisingly, I couldn't find any history on this gold and silver prospect. One wonders who Lady Jeanne was. Up at the mine itself

Beacon Hill Petroglyphs

Beacon Hill Petroglyphs

The Beacon Hill Petroglyphs are reported to have nearly 600 ancient etchings spread across 31 boulders. However, after an exhausting search of the site, which left us questioning our eyesight and sanity, we found a dozen or so at best. Perhaps the desert sun has a way of multiplying petroglyphs

Los Angeles and Brooklyn Mines

Los Angeles and Brooklyn Mines

Deep in the Pinto Mountains, just outside Joshua Tree National Park, lie the remnants of two once-thriving gold mines: the Brooklyn and Los Angeles. The story of the Brooklyn Mine began in 1890 when prospector John Burt discovered rich gold-bearing veins in this remote canyon. Burt partnered with F. J.

St. George Mine

St. George Mine

The Panamint Valley was a bustling place in the 1870s, with silver mining activity booming in the surrounding Panamint and Argus Mountains. The frenzy began in Cerro Gordo in the Inyo Mountains in the 1860s, moved on to Panamint City in 1873, then finally arrived in the Argus Mountains in