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99 posts

Clark’s Pass Bullseye

Clark’s Pass Bullseye

During World War II, the vast deserts of the Southwest became unlikely training grounds for military personnel. One lesser-known spot was a bombing target now tucked inside the northern border of Joshua Tree National Park. Bombs were dropped on Joshua Tree? Yes! Apparently so. But at least they were only

Johnny Lang Mine and Quail Mountain

Johnny Lang Mine and Quail Mountain

I’ve hiked to the top of Quail Mountain from Covington Flat, but I wanted to visit the Johnny Lang Mine. Johnny Lang, being noted for his involvement at the Lost Horse Mine, made me curious about his mine on the shoulder of Quail Mountain. He worked this small mine

Owlhead Mountains Fuel Tank and Dart

Owlhead Mountains Fuel Tank and Dart

You never know what you will find in the desert. My friends Dale and Brian hiked with me out to an intact military aerial target dart and an aircraft auxiliary fuel drop tank. We were way out in the wilds of the Owlhead Mountains in the southern end of Death

Samuelson’s Rocks

Samuelson’s Rocks

This isolated rock outcrop known as Samuelson’s Rocks was once the homestead of Johann (or John) Samuelson, a Swedish immigrant who arrived around 1926. He must have had some time on his hands because some of the boulders here have 1930s Depression-era political and naturalistic commentary. Search around the

Southern Nevada Mine

Southern Nevada Mine

The Southern Nevada Mine was an early mine in the Searchlight District and started out with the Spokane Shaft in the 1900s. In the first few years, the miners encountered water at 200 ft depth and abandoned the Spokane Shaft. They started working on the Blossom Shaft a half mile

Twin Tanks

Twin Tanks

The Twin Tanks are a couple of natural tanks enhanced by cattle ranchers with concrete dams to hold more water. The southern dam is concrete with rock mixed in, and the northern one is plain concrete. This one also has an inscription of "C. O. Barker" in the

Virginia May Mine

Virginia May Mine

The Virginia May Mine (also known as the Horn Mine) had been on my "To Do" list for years. It was never a high priority, but its remoteness called to me. Located in the southern Turtle Mountains of California, it is out in the middle of nowhere, and