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Joshua Tree

Joshua Tree National Park and the surrounding area in California

76 posts

Boy Scout Trail

Boy Scout Trail

This is a shuttle hike that goes along the edge of the maze that is the Wonderland of Rocks, and then drops down into Indian Cove. It's not a backcountry hike to an old mine or anything, but I am including it for the completeness of Joshua Tree

Hidden Valley

Hidden Valley

Hidden Valley has a hidden secret: its outlaw past. The history of this area dates back to the mid-1870s when ranchers discovered it had good spring grazing and winter feed for their sheep and cattle. Around this time, a group known as the "McHaney Gang" began utilizing certain

Paymaster Mine

Paymaster Mine

The Paymaster Mine, also known as the Black Warrior Mine, was reported to be a good producer in the Gold Park district. Mined for gold, it had a 140-foot shaft with two levels of drifts and cross-cuts. Information on ownership and production is scarce. Bill Keys believed it was discovered

Cave of the White Orbs

Cave of the White Orbs

Hidden in the rocks of Joshua Tree is a small pictograph rock shelter called the Cave of the White Orbs. I was asked not to give directions to this location, but I will give clues when I can.

Contact Mine

Contact Mine

Information on these gold mines is sparse. Phil Sullivan, an early pioneer of Twentynine Palms, located the Contact claims at least by 1921. He filed a homestead there in 1897. (Also see the Silver Bell Mine.) Along with Bill McHaney (see the Desert Queen Mine), Phil reportedly built an arrastra

Garrett’s Arch

Garrett’s Arch

This trip is a nice cross-country hike into the granitic maze that is the Wonderland of Rocks to find its best arch. Finding it will be much simpler with a map and GPS, so don't attempt the hike without either. It is easy to get lost back there.

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