Eastern Mojave Vegetation	Field Notes (Continued)
	Tom Schweich

Topics in this Article:
1800s
1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990
1991
1992
1993
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2008 Tour de Swertia albomarginata
Mono Lake, August 2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Contents
Literature Cited

When I first read the field notes of Annie Alexander and Louise Kellogg, I was fascinated by the descriptions they wrote about the places they went and the plants and animals they found there. By publishing my field notes on the Internet I hope to follow a little bit in their tradition.

2006

Other articles:
• Power Line Road: at Rainbow Wells Rd;

Locations: Columbia Mine. Rainbow Wells.

Found the following in the California Integrated Waste Management Board Year 2000 archives about Rainbow Wells and the Columbia Mine. Collectively, they seem to be known as the Sterner Claims.

Rainbow Wells Disposal Site- The site is located approximately 8 miles west of the Town of Cima and approximately 6 miles south of Aiken Mine Road. The site was formerly a small mining operation and after the owner’s death, became a haven for transients and the production of illegal drugs. The site consists of dilapidated residences, burned outbuildings, unlivable mobile homes, discarded appliances, scrap metal items, waste tires, and solid waste (cans, bottles, trash).

Columbia Mine Disposal Site- the Columbia Mine was owned and operated by the same miner as Rainbow Wells. The Columbia Mine was also acquired by the NPS after the owner’s death. The site is located approximately 4 miles east of Kelso-Cima Road and 3 miles west of Wild Horse Road near Macedonia Spring. Items associated with mining (primarily metals) and several dilapidated structures, and solid waste (primarily cans and bottles) make up the majority of waste at this site. (CIWMB 2000 04 18 Agenda)

Saturday, 4-Feb-06

Other articles:
• Lonoak Road: in King City;

Lonoak Road in King City.

When Cheryl made the mistake of actually asking me what I wanted to do for my birthday, I told her that I wanted to go to Coalinga. It took a little while for her to understand that I was serious. Although, it wasn't necessarily the town of Coalinga that attracted me, as the wide expanse of the central California Coast Ranges between Hollister and Coalinga that I wanted to see.

Other articles:
• Lonoak Road: east of King City;

Looking toward King City on Lonoak Road.

We started off early on a Saturday morning, taking US Highway 101 to King City. Here we found the beginning of Lonoak Road near where San Lorenzo Creek enters the Salinas River. At this intersection is a large warehouse for Rio Farms, a business that seems to farm most of the farm land to the east of King City. Their warehouse dock was filled with pallets of bags of yellow onions.

Other articles:
• Lonoak Road: 79990;

Looking east on Lonoak Road.

Lonoak Road climbs above the river bottom and onto a mesa sloping upward to the east to the foothills of the Coast Ranges.

Other articles:
• Lonoak Road: near San Lorenzo Creek;

San Lorenzo Creek, where crossed by Lonoak Road into San Benito County

Lonoak Road climbs into Bull Canyon and then crosses a low pass into the canyon of San Lorenzo Creek.

Other articles:
• Lonoak Road: near San Lorenzo Creek;

Farm across San Lorenzo Creek

Most of this area is private land with no public access except right at the road side.

Other articles:
• Lonoak Road: 39970;

San Lorenzo Creek looking upstream.

This is one of two creeks named San Lorenzo in California. The other is in Alameda County. There is also a San Lorenzo River in Santa Cruz County.

This San Lorenzo Creek drains Peachtree Valley in the central Coast Ranges. Lewis Creek is a tributary, even though it drains a larger area. For most of its course San Lorenzo Creek flows northwest until it passes Lewis Creek, and then turns southwest, joining the Salinas River just south of King City.

Other articles:
• Lonoak Road: on San Lorenzo Creek.;

Lonoak Road crosses San Lorenzo Creek into San Benito County

The bridge over San Lorenzo Creek also crosses into San Benito County from Monterey County.

Other articles:
• Lonoak Road: 26000;

Vicinity of Sulphur Springs on San Lorenzo Creek.

A few miles north on Lonoak Road, and upstream on San Lorenzo Creek are some sulphur springs.

Other articles:
• Lonoak Road: at Sulphur Springs;

Locations: Sulphur Springs.

Sulphur Springs is right down below the road in the creek bed.

The springs are on a tight bend of San Lorenzo Creek, at least 180° in a quite dramatic fashion. Something structural is happening here, perhaps a fault or a plunging anticline. The sulphur springs are down in the creek bed and, while they can be smelled from the road, we did not find an easy way to access them.

Other articles:
• Lonoak Road: 10985;

Old cars protect the bank from erosion along Lewis Creek.

Continuing on Lonoak Road, we crossed Lewis Creek and back into Monterey County. Here old cars have been placed along the creek banks to reduce erosion.

Other articles:
• Lonoak Road: 10980;

Settlement of Lonoak.

The setlement of Lonoak is at the intersection of Lonoak Road and California Highway 25.

Other articles:
• Lonoak Road: 11010;

Looking upstream on Lewis Creek.

I have some photos of Lewis Creek a little further upstream that show a broad alluviated channel with a small stream in the middle, a sign that the stream is quite underfit, i.e., the sediment load far exceeds the carrying capacity of the stream. Lewis Creek drains a fairly large area that includes Priest Valley, following the San Andreas Fault Zone from there to this location in Lonoak. The combination of a large drainage area, steep topography, and ground-up rock in the fault zone, probably yields some high flood waters with large sediment loads on occasion, leading the local residents to try embedding the autos in the creek banks to reduce erosion.

Other articles:
• Coalinga Road: 69990;

Looking down the canyon along Coalinga Road

From Lonoak to Coalinga Road and then along the San Benito River, there are few places to stop and get out. Most of the land is fenced and privately-owned. The main exception is Clear Creek Road, which was not a planned stop on this trip.

Other articles:
• Coalinga Road: 70000;

Locations: San Benito River.

San Benito River at the place we had lunch.

Above Clear Creek and the motorcycle camp, there was one small unfenced area to pull off the road. The San Benito River was a small stream in this area.

Other articles:
• Coalinga Road: 69999;

Serpentine conglomerate in the bed of the San Benito River.

The river bed in this area was a serpentine conglomerate. Perhaps there was a period of deposition and lithification, followed by uplift and down-cutting by the San Benito River.

Other articles:
• Coalinga Road: 70010;

Looking up the canyon where we had lunch.

Between Clear Creek and the pass at the Fresno County line, this was the only place we found to pull off the highway.

Other articles:
• Coalinga Road: 79000;

View north in the upper reaches of the San Benito River.

In the upper section of the canyon, it broadens. Here also the river bed is very shallow, exposing the serpentine conglomerate.

Other articles:
• Coalinga Road: 79010;

Locations: San Benito River.

View northeast in the upper reaches of the San Benito River.

Here also the canyon turns northeast between Picacho Peak and Condon Peak. You can't follow canyon as the land is private and fenced. Just a little way to the east is a trailhead with access to Picacho Peak.

Other articles:
• Coalinga Road: at Benitoite Historical Marker;

Plaque about Benitoite.

Benitoite was discovered on February 22, 1907 by James Marshall Couch while prospecting for quicksilver on a fifty dollar grubstake for shares from R. W. Dallas and Tom Sanders. On July 30, 1907, mineralogy professor George D. Louderback identified it as a new mineral species, Barium Titanium Silicate (BaTiSi₃O₉). He named it Benitoite after the river, county and nearby mountain range. The gem-quality crystal combines the color of a sapphire with the fire of a diamond. It looks like two studdy triangular pyramids attached at their bases; its shape is unique. It flouresces a bright deep-sky blue under ultraviolet light. Benitoite in gem quality occurs nowhere else in the world. It is assopciated with other rare minerals such as Fresnoite, Joaquinite, Natrolite, and Neptunite. They formed in fractures of a serpentine rock from hydrothermal solutions. Just how such solutions occurred and what other conditions caused the crystallization of these rare minerals is still not well understood. Benitoite was declared the official California state gem on October 1, 1985.

Dedicated October 27, 2001. Monterey Viejo Chapter 1846 and James Savage Chapter 1852. E Clampus Vitus.

Other articles:
• Los Gatos Road: 10500; 10510;

The west end of Los Gato Road, at Coalinga Road.

Looking east from the west end Los Gatos Road.

Over the pass and just into Fresno County and the Los Gatos Creek drainage, there is a small parking lot and a trail head giving access to Condon Peak. On the day we went by, some fine citizens had taken over the parking lot for some target practice, so we did not tarry, except to take this photograph.

Other articles:
• Derrick Boulevard: 50000;

Oil pump northwest of Coalinga

Other articles:
• Derrick Boulevard: 49990;

Oil field northwest of Coalinga.

Other articles:
• CA Hwy 198: 49998;
• California Highway 33: 10020;

R. C. Baker Oil Museum

Other articles:
• CA Hwy 198: 49997;
• California Highway 33: 10030;

Looking southwest on the main street of Coalinga.

Other articles:
• CA Hwy 198: 49999;
• California Highway 33: 10010;

Looking northeast in downtown Coalinga

Locations: Coalinga.

Historic house in Coalinga.

Other articles:
• CA Hwy 198: in Stinky Hollow;

The Zebra in the Iron Zoo.	The Giraffe in the Iron Zoo.	The Rhinoceros in the Iron Zoo.	The Mouse in the Iron Zoo.	Snoopy in the Iron Zoo.
The Chief in the Iron Zoo.

Sunday, February 5, 2006

Other articles:
• CA Hwy 198: 46000;

Locations: Warthan Canyon.

View of Warthan Canyon.

In the morning we had breakfast at Perkos, then walked across the parking lot to Starbucks for some coffee.

Headed out of town to the southwest on California Highway 198, I was watching for a place to take an early morning photograph looking back to the northeast to Coalinga. Did not find one, as the little hills and ridges south of town were all fenced.

California Highway 198 passes through Warthan Canyon on its route to the west. There were many photographs of the construction of this highway on display in the R. C. Baker Museum. From the photographs, I had expected a more deep, rugged canyon than the canyon appeared from the highway. However, maybe the highway construction over the years opened up the canyon.

Other articles:
• CA Hwy 198: 51000;
• California Highway 33: 09000;

View northwest from Coalinga.

In the early morning, we stopped on the north edge of Coalinga for this view to the northwest. Los Gatos Canyon, that the came through yesterday, would in in the approximate center of this photograph.

Images:
Entrance to Coalinga Hot Springs

Other articles:
• Coalinga Mineral Springs Road: near Coalinga Mineral Springs;

Locations: Coalinga Mineral Springs.

Campground at Coalinga Mineral Springs

Other articles:
• Coalinga Mineral Springs Road: at Coalinga Mineral Springs;

Springs at Coalinga Mineral Springs

Other articles:
• Coalinga Mineral Springs Road: near Coalinga Mineral Springs;

Locations: Kreyenhagen Peak.

Kreyenhagen Peak from Coalinga Mineral Springs

Other articles:
• CA Hwy 198: 29980;

Locations: Priest Valley.

Southeast corner of Priest Valley

Other articles:
• CA Hwy 198: 29990;

Locations: Priest Valley.

Monterey-Fresno County line.

Other articles:
• CA Hwy 198: 25000;

Lewis Creek from Mustang Ridge.

Other articles:
• CA Hwy 198: 21000;

California Highway 198 crosses Peachtree Valley.

Friday 10 March 06

Our trip into London-Heathrow was about an hour early because we had tailwinds. Off the tip of Greenland they were up to 198 mph. While this made for a quick trip, it also made for a very bumpy flight as we were entering the jet stream. We landed at London just before dawn. The flight pattern went directly over London and, from the window, Cheryl could see the Thames River and the Tower Bridge.

In London we de-planed and went through passport control. Our luggage was not checked through to Sevilla because Iberia does not code-share with United. On the way back, though, Iberia had no problem checking our luggage through to San Francisco on United.

The line at passport control was very long, and it took us an hour and 20 minutes. Then we collected baggage, walked through customs and over to Terminal 2 from Terminal 3. Upon check in at Iberia, we were told that the gate would not be announced until 30-40 minutes before the flight. We got a coffee and a roll, and then went inside the security area to wait. There were several T-Mobile HotSpots at London-Heathrow, and I logged on to check e-mail while we waited.

Our flight to Sevilla was about an hour late, and we got to Sevilla about 3:00 PM. Rachel and Ian met us at the airport. We got the rental car, really a small van, called a Fiat Ulysse. It seats eight. I followed Rachel home around the north end of Sevilla, as the airport is on the east side of Sevilla and Rachel and Nacho live on the west side.

After arriving and getting settled, we took Rachel over to the Fiat dealership to pick up their new car. It is a Fiat Scenic. Nacho will use it mostly to drive to Rota for his new job.

We had a dinner of pasta, and then we managed to stay up until about 930 PM.

Saturday 11 March 06

This morning we got going early to shopping. We went to Carrefour, which is a huge shopping mall and store, perhaps equivalent to a Super K-Mart. They have everything from tires to broccoli. One thing we bought was Cranberry juice. This is a new juice in Spain, appearing recently in the larger stores.

We had sandwiches for lunch. Rachel picked Nacho up at the train station, as he was arriving from Madrid on the AVE. The neighbor kids, Ale (Alejandro) and Blanquita came over -- literally as the neighbors hand their kids over the fence -- along with Ariana who is the cousin of Ale and Blanquita. For a while the kids colored on paper. Then they colored on the table, the then everything else. I played soccer with Ale, then tried to keep the coloring from getting too far out of control.

Nacho was working in his room, so I went out for a run. The downhill part was pretty good, but on the way back up, I would run up a block, and then across the slope, up a block, and then back across the slope. Meanwhile Rachel and Cheryl went to a store in Bormujos called IDEA to buy a large coffee pot. This is a kind of percolater in that the water in the botton section is forced up through the grounds into an upper section. The coffee is quite strong, and we microwave some milk to heat it, and then mix about 4 parts milk to one part coffee.

For dinner, Cheryl made pasta. After cleaning up, it was time for Rachel and I to get son and daughter in law at the airport. While Cheryl and I walked right through customs, the Customs officer stopped son and daughter in law. They checked one of the bags and found the box of Cheerios. son had to pull the bag of Cheerios out of the box, probably to show that there were no drugs hidden amongst the Cheerios.

Sunday 12 March 06

This morning we got a slow start. We went to Parque de Alamillo just to get outside a little bit. On the way back we stopped at Cervezeria Aljarafe for a little lunch. Ian and Colin were asleep when we got home, so I also went upstairs and had a short nap.

This afternoon we went to the park. Ian's friend Fernando from his school also came to the park with his family. Ian and Fernando played and then hit each other and then played some more. "Afternoon" here is from about 400 PM until 800 PM.

For dinner Cheryl cooked salmon and made a big salad, then son broke up the salmon to put it on the salad.

After dinner Ian and Colin had a bath and the kids went to bed. Ian was pretty wound up and had a hard time going to sleep.

Monday 13 March 06

Today was shop for supplies for Colin-day. Rachel went with us to Hipercor, the low-cost market for El Corte Ingles.

In the afternoon, I had a run, while some adults took the children to the park. Cheryl stayed home and made dinner.

Tuesday 14 March 06

On Tuesday we went to Cordoba. We got a little bit of an early start and then drove to the Santa Justa railroad station in Sevilla. We got round trip tickets to Cordoba on the AVE. There was just a few minutes to spare before train departure time.

Locations: Rio Guadalquivir.

Rio Guadalquivir where crossed by the AVE between Sevilla and Cordoba

I recognized the Rio Guadalquivir when we crossed it.

This was the first time Cheryl and I visited the Mezquita as it has been under repair our previous visits.

We got on the bus from the train station, but then missed our stop to get off. So we had a very complete tour of eastern Cordoba, I think.

Inside the Mezquita was very impressive. This location was a Roman bath, and maybe something else before it became a Christian church, a mosque, and a Christian church again.

We tried to visit the Alcazar, and nearly cirambulated the entire fort before we learned it was closed for repair.

Looking for lunch, we walked up through the Juderia until we came to Casa Pepe where we had eaten before. I guess maybe this place is a kind of tourist dive, as they certainly cater to tourists. However, they also do a very nice job of making you feel welcome. They put us in an upstairs room at one end, with lots of room around the table, so we could deal with the children without bothering the other customers. They also recommended food to us. You never know if you're getting taken when you're offered suggestions as a tourist, but these turned out to be very good. One suggestion was an eggplant fried in a batter (tempura eggplant?) with a light sorghum syrup that made it quite palatable. We had the usual salad, I had a nice halibut, and we shared a light white wine that seemed to go with everything.

Lunch was followed by a slow, meandering walk back to the train station, and then an AVE ride back to Sevilla.

Wednesday 15 March 06

This afternoon we went to Triana so that son and daughter in law could buy a gift for the person taking care of their house, and Cheryl could buy something for Lee, who is taking care of our cat.

We parked in the parking lot called Paseo Colon on the Sevilla side of the river because the entry and return is relatively easy.

Exiting from the car park, we walked across the Triana bridge and then into the neighborhood of tile shops. We went to the largest tile shop where there were many options to choose from. After buying the tile, we walked around the block of tile shops, and then to the Triana side of the river were we had various refreshments.

Thursday 16 March 06

Today we went into Sevilla and visited the Alcazar (fort) and grounds.

We drove into Sevilla and parked along the river then had a coffee, and walked to the Alcazar.

Like many such forts in Spain, the building was started by the Moors and then taken over by the Spanish, so it shows a variety of architectures.

Friday 17 March 06

Today we left Sevilla driving south to El Puerto de Santa Maria, where we will pick up Nacho after work. Thenmorrow we are going to Zahara de los Atunes, a small town on the Atlantic Ocean near the Straits of Gibraltar.

We ate lunch in El Puerto while the rain beat down on the roof above, then drove to Zahara.

The weather was not too good, and we made a couple of attempts to get out, but nothing too serious or too successful.

Saturday 18 March 06

Saturday morning, Colin had a high fever. We asked at the front desk of the hotel about a doctor. They directed us to a clinic in Barbate. Rachel, son, and daughter in law went in with Colin. They had no wait, and were seen immediately by a doctor. Because it was a Social Security clinic, there was no way to pay for the services, and the only cost was a couple of Euros for amoxicillin at the drug store across the street.

From Barbate, we visited Vejer de la Frontera, a white town on top of a hill. It took us a while to find a place to park both cars.

Then we got out and walked the of narrow streets across the top of the hill. We tried to eat in a Restaurante El Jardin del Califa, but they could not accomodate the size of our party for inside seating (it was raining) without a reservation. Instead we ate across the plaza at Restaurante Trafalgar. I had the roast lamb, very good, but not the best I've ever had.

The rain was a bit bothersome, but we didn't let it stop us.

Sunday 19 March 06

Sunday, we left Zahara and stopped for a hike in the umbrella pine forests near Barbate.

From Barbate we drove to Conil, where we walked on the beach, and then had lunch.

We drove to El Puerto, and had a coffee with Nacho's brother: Julio, and his family: Pamen, Marta and Julito.

From El Puerto we drove to San Lucar de Barrameda where we stayed in Hotel Partner Doñana.

Monday 20 March 06

On Monday we had reserved a tour of the Donana National Park, a wildlife sanctuary where the River Guadalquivir enters the Atlantic Ocean. Lots of birds there, but no bird flu yet in Spain -- yet.

In the morning we took a boat ride up the river getting off several times for a guided tours of the plains, forests, and salt marshes.

Our lunch on the river included Gambas al aljillo (prawns in garlic sauce) and Acedias (sand dabs?), while sampling the local sherry, a specialty of this region.

Last night we watched the pilgrims return from a pilgrimage to Rocio. They go through the national park of Donana, and then ride a ferry across the Rio Guadalquivir. There were hundreds of carts, and ferrying them all across the river took more than eight hours.

Tuesday 21 March 06

Today we are returned to Bormujos from Sanlucar de Barrameda.

Wednesday 22 March 06

Wednesday, son and daughter in law went to Aracena, in the mountains north of Sevilla.

I stayed in Bormujos and Rachel took me to the doctor. After a consultation, it was decided that I had a sinus infection following a cold, and an antibiotic was prescribed.

Thursday 23 March 06

We stayed local on Thursday, getting ready to fly home on Friday.

Friday 24 March 06

Today we flew home from Sevilla.

Locations: Eastern Star Wash.

Eastern Star Wash in the Shadow Mountains.

The field trip for 2006's Desert Research Sympoium started with a visit to several locations on California Highway 127 north of Baker. Our first stop was in Eastern Star Wash on the west edge of the Shadow Mountains.

Up the wash we could see the water tank at the Eastern Star Mine. This road used to go all the way through to the Power Lines near Riggs wash, but now the way is blocked by a wilderness area.

Literature Cited:
- Reynolds, Robert E., 2006.

Locations: Eastern Star Wash.

Field trip stop in Eastern Star Wash.

This is field trip Stop 1-1 in Reynolds (2006). We parked here and walked across to the reddish outcrop on the other side of the wash.

Images:
Field trip stop in Eastern Star Wash.

From our parking place we walked across several branches of Eastern Star Wash to the small outcrop of reddish sediments.

Images:
Gomphothere tracks.

There were tracks left by Miocene gomphotheres, antelopes, and camels.

Some of the gomphothere tracks were up to 12 inches in diameter.

Images:
Someone hollered, "There are bird tracks up here," setting off a mad scramble.

Just as we were getting ready to leave, someone hollered, "There are bird tracks up here!" This set off a mad scramble up the loose shale slope. I enjoyed the scene from below, so I have no photograph of the tracks. There were described as a little indistinct, but definitely bird tracks.

Other articles:
• Kingston Wash Road: 14000;

Locations: Silurian Hills.

Silurian Hills, as seen from the north.

On our way back to California Highway 127, we were delayed by a flat tire. To the south we had a nice view of the Silurian Hills. Our vehicle decided we would prefer to take the next few local field trips stops rather than driving up to Shoshone. So, at the Tonopah and Tidewater road bed in Valjean, we turned left, to the south.

Literature Cited:
- Reynolds, Robert E., 2006.

Other articles:
• Tonopah & Tidewater: 42100;

Cut on the former Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad.

This is field trip Stop 1-2 in Reynolds (2006) in a road bed cut of the Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad.

The red sediments filled an extending Miocene basin between 12 and 10 million years ago. The presence of Tapeats Sandstone in a red groundmass suggests a source from weathered sediments that occur only at the Tapeats locality on the north side of Clark Mountain.

Other articles:
• Glossary: liesegang;

Locations: Silurian Hills.

Liesegang weathering in the Silurian Hills.

We got back into the car and drove a little way further to the next field trip stop.

This is Field Trip Stop 1-3 from Reynolds (2006).

I had been here before to see the Liesegang weathering. This is a pre-Miocene erosional surface over which were thrust carbonate gravity slide blocks from the west. The previous field trip I was distracted by the plants, and did not see the weathering feature. Of them, I can only remember the Abronia villosa.

Locations: Silurian Hills.

Brian and Joe review the stratigraphy of the Silurian Hills.

From the Liesegang weathering location, the view of the Silurian Hills in the afternoon light was stunnning. Brian and Joe talked about the stratigraphy on display while I hunted for additional examples of the Liesegang weathering.

We drove up to take a look at the strongly accented strata on the left side of the photo.

Then we drove down between "The Islands" to the playa of Silurian Lake.

Locations: Silurian Lake.

Photography on Silurian Lake in the late Afternoon

We stopped in the center of Silurian Lake for a view and some photography.

Other articles:
• California Highway 127: 24599;

Silurian Hills in the late afternoon.

To the east, the Silurian Hills were lighted up by the setting sun.

Images:
Ridge lines silhouetted by the setting sun.

To the northwest was an classic view of distant ridge lines silhouetted by the setting sun.

After taking in the view, we continued our crossing of Silurian Lake, and then returned to Zzyzx for some attitude adjustment and dinner.

Sunday, 23 April 2006

Other articles:
• Zzyzx Road: on shore of Soda Lake;

View of the Hollow Hills and Turquoise Mountain across Soda Lake.

This morning I left Zzyzx, stopping along the shore of Soda Lake for a view of the Halloran Hills and Hollow Hills. I will be traveling through these hills later in the day.

Other articles:
• Zzyzx Road: on shore of Soda Lake;

Soda Mountains from the shores of Soda Lake.

Also to the north are the Soda Mountains, an area I have never explored.

Other articles:
• California Highway 127: at Silver Lake (site);

Locations: Silver Lake (site).

Foundations at Silver Lake (site).

After filling the gas tank in Baker, I drove north on California Highway 127 to Silver Lake.

I saw these footings at Silver Lake. The pattern of these footings suggested they may have supported a water tank on the Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad.

However, at home later I noticed that the Tonopah and Tidewater road bed was closer to Silver Lake.

Other articles:
• Halloran Springs Road: 70020;

View across Silurian Valley to Soda Mountains

I started up the road labelled as Halloran Springs Road on several maps. The road became more and more faint until it dropped into a wash. Not able to navigate the drop off, I followed some tracks until they also turned around. Not wanting to turn around, I crossed a berm into a small wash. Followed this small wash a little way upstream, and then crossed another berm that gave me access to a power line tower. From the power line tower, I followed the power company access road out to the main Power Line Road.

Other articles:
• Halloran Springs Road: 70010;

Locations: Kavorka Hills.

"Kavorka Hills"

I came across this sign for "Kavorka Hills," about which I have no other information.

Missed the turn off for Thompson's Silver Lake to Goodsprings route, and finally turned up a small road along a wash.

Other articles:
• Halloran Springs Road: 38000;

View west from Halloran Springs Road.

When I got to the top of a ridge, I realized that I had missed Thompson's route again. So I returned along Halloran Springs Road until I found a road junction.

Other articles:
• Halloran Springs Road: 43921;
• Routes to Water: 207004881;

Road intersection in the Halloran Hills.

This road junction is marked by two poles, one of which can been seen sticking out of the hood of my car, but no sign.

I stopped here and walked a little way northwest on the route and then took this photo back toward my car parked at the junction.

Other articles:
• Halloran Springs Road: 43922;
• Routes to Water: 207004882;

Thompson's (1921) Route to Silver Lake from Goodsprings

Turning around, it did not appear that anyone had used this route in quite some time.

Other articles:
• Routes to Water: 207004879;

Thompson's (1921) Route to Silver Lake from Goodsprings

Looking forward, the same might be said for this short section toward Turquoise Mountain.

Other articles:
• Halloran Springs Road: 37501;

Locations: Wander Mine.

Overview of Wander Mine

From the crossroads of Thompson's Silver Lake to Goodsprings route and Halloran Springs Road, I returned on Halloran Springs Road to the Wander Mine, sometimes called the Wonder, the Wanderer, Huyten's Mine, or James Hyten's Mine.

Other articles:
• Halloran Springs Road: at Cree Camp Road;

Road Intersection in Halloran Hills

This is the road junction with Halloran Springs Road, the road to Cree Camp, and nearby, a road to Turquoise Mountain.

This photo was taken from a dump of the Wander Mine.

Locations: Wander Mine.

Workings at the Wander Mine

The workings at the Wander Mine are spread over a 1/4 mile or so, on a ridge of low relief, from southwest to northeast.

Other articles:
• BLM Route NN 580 (Cree Camp Road): 38000;

Road to Cree Camp.

From the Wander Mine I headed south for Cree Camp. This is a slow road because it crosses many small watercourses each with a small dip.

Other articles:
• BLM Route NN 580 (Cree Camp Road): above Cree Camp;

Other articles:
• BLM Route NN 580 (Cree Camp Road): near Cree Camp;

Locations: Cree Camp.

Cree Camp

Cree Camp consists of a two room cabin and a second single room cabin a little way away.

Locations: Cree Camp.

Building at Cree Camp.

This cabin was quite small but the metal roof was still in pretty good shape.

The roof and shade porch of the two-room cabin were in pretty bad shape, but the cabin could still be made habitable.

Literature Cited:
- Mann, Bill, 1999.

Other articles:
• BLM Route NN 580 (Cree Camp Road): at Hytens(?) Well;

Locations: Hytens Well.

Location of Hytens Well.

Well near Cree Camp.

On my return to the Wander Mine from Cree Camp, I recognized the wells on either side of the road from a photograph in Bill Mann's (1999) Guide to 50 Interesting and Mysterious Sites in the Mojave. Mann (1999) describes this well as being Hytens Well. It is, however, quite some distance from Hytens Well as shown on the Turquoise Mountain Quadrangle.

Other articles:
• BLM Route NN 580 (Cree Camp Road): at Wander Mine;

Locations: Wander Mine.

Workings at the Wander Mine

Back at the Wander Mine, I checked out some of the lower workings, but did not find anything remarkable.

Other articles:
• Halloran Springs Road: near Turquoise Mtn;

Locations: Turquoise Mountain.

View of Turquoise Mountain from Wander Mine

From the Wander Mine there was a nice view of Turquoise Mountain to the northeast.

Determined to find Hytens Well, I continued east on Halloran Springs Road to the location shown on USGS maps.

Images:
Hoist anchor at unknown mine.

I did not find a "well" at the location shown on the map as Hytens Well.

I did find this mine shaft and hoist anchor. However, this mine is not shown on maps, and I believe is a short distance past the location shown for Hytens Well.

Images:
Mine shaft at unknown mine.

Other articles:
• Halloran Springs Road: 29620;

Locations: Solomons Knob.

Solomons Knob and Bull Spring Wash in the Halloran Hills

While here I had a little lunch and enjoyed the view of Solomons Knob from vicinity of Hytens Well.

Other articles:
• Routes to Water: 207004751;

Old road to Silver Lake.

Returning to Halloran Springs Road, I traveled past the Wander Mine again and turned up the road to Turquoise Mountain. Here I found the junction with the unused route to Silver Lake.

There is a pole here with an orange traffic cone on top.

Road north toward Turquoise Mountain from Halloran Springs Road. I think this might be BLM Route NN 581.

Other articles:
• Routes to Water: 207004700;

Road near Turquoise Mountain

Up in the canyon, where the road climbs toward Turquoise Mountain, I paused for a view to the north west of the road, and to think of people driving their Model T's up this road in the 1920's.

Locations: Turquoise Mountain.

Communications equipment on top of Turquoise Mountain.

I continued up the canyon, then turned up the paved road to the top of Turquoise Mountain.

After enjoying the view for a few minutes, I returned to Turquoise Mountain Road to make my way to Francis Spring.

Other articles:
• Routes to Water: 207004400;

Road to Francis Spring.

I turned off the paved Turquoise Mountain road on Thompson's (1921) route in the direction of Francis Spring.

Other articles:
• Routes to Water: 207004200;

Between Turquoise Mountain and Francis Spring

This was a good little road, if a little narrow. At one point, a creosote bush bent my radio antenna. There was not much in the way of expansive vistas, but some of the local view were nice, such as this view northeast toward a small knob of granite.

Other articles:
• Routes to Water: 207004100;

Between Francis Spring and Turquoise Mountain.

Other articles:
• Routes to Water: 207004050;

Joshua Tree beside the road.

Other articles:
• Routes to Water: 207003820;

Pond near Francis Spring.

The road passed across the upper end of a small pond. This pond is not mentioned by Thompson (1921). From the pond the road crossed a small divide into a watershed containing Francis Spring.

Other articles:
• Routes to Water: at Francis Spring;

Locations: Francis Spring.

Francis Spring

Francis Spring is a very unfortunate spring. A pond has been scooped out, into which have been inserted various pieces of portable fencing and orange plastic construction fence. This has had no constructive effect, as the there is nothing to prevent cows or burros from wading into the pond and fouling it.

Other articles:
• Routes to Water: 207003760;

Looking into Shadow Valley from Francis Spring

View down the canyon from Francis Spring, looking northeast across Shadow Valley to the southern Mesquite Mountains.

This was as far as I went on this road, checking out the view, and then returning the way I came.

Other articles:
• Francis Spring Road: near Solomons Knob;

Locations: Solomons Knob.

Solomon's Knob from Francis Springs Road.

Driving down Francis Spring Road toward Halloran Spring, there were varying perspectives on Solomons Knob.

Other articles:
• Francis Spring Road: near Bull Spring;

Locations: Bull Spring.

Bull Spring with Solomons Knob in the background.

Drove briefly into Bull Spring. Did not see any water in the spring. However, there was some fresh green grass growing around the dead cat tails.

Other articles:
• Francis Spring Road: in Bull Spring Wash;

Locations: Bull Spring Wash.

Bull Spring Wash looking northeast.

Francis Spring Road is a good road and easy to drive except for getting a little rough in the limestone allivium near Francis Spring. I wonder why limestone makes such lousy roads?

Other articles:
• Francis Spring Road: in Bull Spring Wash;

Locations: Bull Spring Wash.

Bull Spring Wash, looking downstream to the southwest.

Other articles:
• Halloran Springs Road: 13110;

Locations: Halloran Springs.

Halloran Spring

I stopped briefly at Halloran Spring and then got on US Interstate 15 crossing Shadow Valley and Mountain Pass into Ivanpah Valley.

Other articles:
• Nipton Road: near US I-15;

Nipton across the Ivanpah Valley.

View of Nipton across the Ivanpah Valley.

Other articles:
• Nipton Road: 10710;

Castle Peaks across the Ivanpah Valley.

Castle Peaks to the southeast.

Other articles:
• Nipton Road: near Nipton;

Locations: Nipton.

Hotel Nipton

Locations: Nipton.

Inside Hotel Nipton

Other articles:
• Nipton Road: near Murphy Well;

Locations: Murphy Well.

Murphy Well and the Ivanpah Mountains

Other articles:
• Nipton Road: near Murphy Well;

Locations: Murphy Well.

Murphy Well

Literature Cited:
- Vredenburgh, Larry M., Gary L. Shumway, and Russell D. Hartill, 1981.

Locations: Hytens Well. Wander Mine.

5-May-06

Found the following in Vredenburgh, Shumway, and Hartill (1981):

One other property that was being mined in 1911 was the Jumbo claim of the Wonder (or Wanderer) Mine group 5 miles northwest of Halloran Springs. James S. Hyten with a Mr. Dunwoody worked this mine near Washington Wells. … Today, Washington Wells has been renamed Hyten Well after the man who spent so much time there.

Quoted from Barstow PrinterJune 2, 1911, January 26, February 9, 16, 1912; Calico Print March 1 1885.

Friday, 2 June 2006

Other articles:
• California Highway 120: 18600;

Locations: Don Pedro Reservoir.

Don Pedro Reservoir where crossed by CA Highway 120.

Other articles:
• California Highway 120: 18601;

Don Pedro Reservoir and Jacksonville Road bridge.

Images:
Merced River at Swinging Bridge.

Images:
Merced River just below Happy Isles.

Images:
Tom by the Merced River

Images:
Cheryl by the Merced River

Saturday, June 3, 2006

Images:
Cheryl's photo of the Silver Apron.

Images:
View from top of Nevada Fall.

Images:
Merced River bridge at top of Nevada Fall

Sunday, June 4, 2006

Other articles:
• Wards Ferry Road: 60010;

Wards Ferry Road bridge over Deer Creek.

Other articles:
• Wards Ferry Road: 50010;

Don Pedro Reservoir on the Tuolumne River at Ward's Ferry.

Other articles:
• Wards Ferry Road: 49990;

Don Pedro Reservoir on the Tuolumne River at Ward's Ferry.

Other articles:
• CA Highway 108: at Pinecrest;

Locations: Pinecrest Lake.

Pinecrest Lake

Locations: Pinecrest Lake.

Swimming beach at Pinecrest Lake.

Locations: Pinecrest Lake.

Sailing on Pinecrest Lake.

Other articles:
• CA Highway 108: near Columns of the Giants;

Images:
Columnar jointing at Columns of the Giants.

Locations: Columns of the Giants.

End of the Trail at Columns of the Giants.

Other articles:
• CA Highway 108: at Columns of the Giants;

View of Columns of the Giants

Other articles:
• CA Highway 108: 71000;

Inner-Tubing on Sonora Pass.

Other articles:
• CA Highway 108: at Sonora Pass;

Sonora Pass early in June.

Other articles:
• CA Highway 108: Leavitt Meadows;

Leavitt Meadow from Overlook.

Other articles:
• CA Highway 108: at Leavitt Meadow Overlook;

Locations: Leavitt Falls.

Leavitt Falls from Overlook.

Other articles:
• CA Highway 108: near USMC MWTC;

Locations: USMC Mountain Warfare Training Center.

USMC Mountain Warfare Training Center from Leavitt Meadow Overlook.

Other articles:
• U. S. Highway 395: northwest edge of Bridgeport Valley;

Panorama of Bridgeport Valley

Other articles:
• U. S. Highway 395: northwest edge of Bridgeport Valley;

Bridgeport Valley, just west of Bridgeport

Other articles:
• U. S. Highway 395: at Mono Lake Vista;

Panorama of Mono Lake near Conway Summit

Other articles:
• Mono Lake Basin Flora: Introduction;
• U. S. Highway 395: at Mono Lake Vista;

West shoreline of Mono Lake.

Other articles:
• Kingston Road: near Winters Pass;

GoogleEarth image with aircraft flying over Mesquite Mountains.

Monday, June 5, 2006

Other articles:
• U. S. Highway 395: in Lee Vining; in Lee Vining;

Locations: Lee Vining.

Downtown Lee Vining.

Locations: Lee Vining Creek.

Lee Vining Creek near downtown Lee Vining

Locations: Negit Island.

Negit Island from Mono Basin Visitor Center

Locations: Paoha Island.

Paoha Island from the Mono Basin Visitor Center

Other articles:
• California Highway 167: near US Hwy 395;

Looking east on California Highway 167

Other articles:
• California Highway 167: near US Hwy 395;
• Eastern Mojave Geology: stabilized dunes;

Stabilized dunes along California Highway 167

Literature Cited:
- Pavlik, Bruce Michael, 1985.

Other articles:
• California Highway 167: near Mono Dunes;
• Eastern Mojave Geology: stabilized dunes;

Sand dunes near Mono Lake.

A road to the south gives access to the shore of Mono Lake and the sand dunes. There are sand dunes on both the north and south sides of California Highway 167 for several miles. A description of the Mono Dunes studied by Pavlik (1985) suggests that he studied the dunes to the north.

Other articles:
• California Highway 167: near Bodie & Benton roadbed;

Crossing of the Bodie and Benton Railroad

Bodie and Benton R. R.

Surveyed in March, 1881, and completed in December 1881. With materials hauled from Hawthorne, Nevada, through Bodie to this road bed, at a cost of one million dollars. This narrow gauge railway carried timber supplies 31.74 miles from Mono Mills to Bodie station, rising in grade 2074 feet to an elevation of 8500 feet. Operations continued until 1918, when decreased mining activity caused the railroad to be dismantled.

Dedicated September 13, 1969

Bodie Chapter, E. Clampus Vitus

Mono County Board of Supervisors

Other articles:
• California Highway 167: near Nevada State Line;

Nevada State boundary at end of California Highway 167.

Other articles:
• Nevada Highway 359: at CA state line;

California State boundary at end of NV Hwy 359

Other articles:
• Nevada Highway 359: near Anchorite Pass;

View of Mono Basin and the Sierra Nevada from Anchorite Pass

Other articles:
• Nevada Highway 359: at Anchorite Pass;

Locations: Anchorite Pass.

Anchorite Pass

An anchorite is a person who has retired into seclusion for religious reasons.

Other articles:
• Nevada Highway 359: at Army Demo Area;

US Army Demolition Area.

Other articles:
• U. S. Highway 95: in Luning;

Former railroad roadbed in Luning, Nevada.

Other articles:
• U. S. Highway 95: 35991;

Old house in Luning.

Other articles:
• U. S. Highway 95: 36009;

The Long Branch Saloon in Luning, Nevada

Other articles:
• Candelaria Road: near US Highway 95;
• U. S. Highway 95: at Redlich;

View of Candelaria from US Hwy 95

Other articles:
• Candelaria Road: in Candelaria;

Panorama of Candelaria

Other articles:
• Candelaria Road: in Candelaria;

Location of former mill in Candelaria.

Literature Cited:
- Shamberger, Hugh A., 1978.

Other articles:
• Candelaria Road: in Candelaria;

F. M. Tarpey's stone store building in Candelaria.

I believe this to be F. M. Tarpey's stone store front. Compare to photograph 49 on page 50 of Shamberger (1978).

Other articles:
• Candelaria Road: in Candelaria;

Building in Candelaria.

Other articles:
• Candelaria Road: in Candelaria;

Building in Candelaria.

Literature Cited:
- Barneby, Rupert C., 1977.

Other articles:
• William H. Shockley: Intro;
• Candelaria Road: Candelaria;

Locations: Candelaria.

Esmeralda Bank Building in Candelaria.

One of two remaining stone store fronts in Candelaria, I believe this one to be the Esmeralda Bank Building. Compare this photograph to photograph 45 on page 44 of Shamberger (1878). The bank closed in 1884.

Other articles:
• Candelaria Road: in Candelaria;

Northern Belle Pit at Candelaria

Other articles:
• U. S. Highway 95: near Columbus Salt Marsh;

Locations: Columbus Salt Marsh.

Columbus Salt Marsh

Locations: Columbus Salt Marsh.

Spring on Columbus Salt Marsh

Other articles:
• U. S. Highway 6: near Columbus Salt Marsh;

Locations: White Mountains.

White Mountains and Volcanic Hills across Columbus Salt Marsh

View across the Columbus Salt Marsh to the Volcanic Hills and the White Mountains.

Other articles:
• U. S. Highway 6: west of Tonopah;

View of Tonopah from the west.

Other articles:
• U. S. Highway 6: in Tonopah;

Locations: Tonopah.

Main street of Tonopah.

Other articles:
• U. S. Highway 95: 41500;

Stake along US Highway 95.

Other articles:
• U. S. Highway 95: north end of Beatty;

Locations: Amargosa River.

Amargosa River at north end of Beatty

Other articles:
• U. S. Highway 95: at Fluorspar Road;

Locations: Amargosa River.

Amargosa River south of Beatty

Other articles:
• U. S. Highway 95: at Fluorspar Road;

Locations: Amargosa River.

Amargosa River south of Beatty

Literature Cited:
- Trexler, Dennis T., and Wilton N. Melhorn, 1986.

Other articles:
• Singing and Booming Sand Dunes: Big Dune, Nevada;
• U. S. Highway 95: near Big Dune;

Locations: Big Dune.

Big Dune from US Highway 95

Locations: Ivanpah (#1).

View from the site of the original Ivanpah, now called Ivanpah Springs.

Literature Cited:
- Casebier, Dennis G., 1988.

Locations: Coliseum Gorge.

Coliseum Gorge from Ivanpah

This is about milepost 174 in Casebier (1988).

Locations: Coliseum Mine.

The Big Hole at the Coliseum Mine

Locations: Clark Mountain.

Clark Mountain as seen from the Coliseum Mine

Images:
Heading down from the Coliseum Mine.

Images:
Mill alongside the road.

Images:
Utah Agave (Agave utahensis) near Clark Mountain

Images:
Relaxing in Mid Hills Campground.

My sister said this about the photo, "… and the photo of you in the campground looks, well, like you." I wonder what she meant by that?

Images:
Sunset in Mid Hills Campground

June 7, 2006

Images:
Golden Eagle in the Mid Hills Campground

Other articles:
• Hackberry Complex Fire: Purshia tridentata glandulosa.;

Desert Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata glandulosa) resprouting after the Hackberry Complex Fire.

Purshia tridentata (Pursh) DC var. glandulosa (Curran) M. E. Jones resprouting after the Hackberry Complex Fire. There were a few plants of this species resprouting. However, there were not many, and I would suggest they are more likely damaged by fire than other species.

Other articles:
• Frasera albomarginata: 129000; near Capitol Reef; Dormancy;

Yellow 201 at Pinto Mountain on 7-Jun-06.

This is a new seedling in 2006 at Pinto Mountain. It is very small.

Other articles:
• Frasera albomarginata: Establishment;

Yellow 101 at Pinto Mountain on 7 June 2006

Images:
White 142 at Pinto Mountain on 7-Jun-06.

Other articles:
• Frasera albomarginata: Flowering;

Yellow 116 at Pinto Mountain on 7-Jun-06.

Other articles:
• Frasera albomarginata: Establishment;

Yellow 204 at Pinto Mountain on 7-Jun-06.

Other articles:
• Frasera albomarginata: Early Growth Stage;

Yellow 205 at Pinto Mountain on 7-Jun-06.

Other articles:
• Frasera albomarginata: Budding;

Yellow 206 at Pinto Mountain on 7-Jun-06.

Other articles:
• Frasera albomarginata: Seed;

Blue 73 in Fruit at Pinto Mountain on 7-Jun-06.

Other articles:
• Frasera albomarginata: Early Growth Stage;

Yellow 207 at Pinto Mountain on 7-Jun-06.

Other articles:
• Frasera albomarginata: Early Growth Stage;

Yellow 208 at Pinto Mountain on 7-Jun-06.

Other articles:
• Frasera albomarginata: Early Growth Stage;

Yellow 209 at Pinto Mountain on 7-Jun-06.

Other articles:
• Frasera albomarginata: Early Growth Stage;

Yellow 210 at Pinto Mountain on 7-Jun-06.

Other articles:
• Hackberry Complex Fire: Lycium cooperi;

Lycium cooperi approximately 1 year after a fire.

Other articles:
• Hackberry Complex Fire: 340149;

Lycium andersonii 1 year after being burned.

Other articles:
• Hackberry Complex Fire: 331100;

Verbena gooddingi 1 year after the fire.

Other articles:
• Hackberry Complex Fire: 340900;

Yucca brevifolia resprouting 1 year after the Hackberry Complex fire.

Other articles:
• Winkler's Cabin Road: 30010;

Road to Winklers Cabin, June 7, 2006

Other articles:
• Winkler's Cabin Road: 29990;

Road to Winklers Cabin, June 7, 2006

Other articles:
• Hackberry Complex Fire: 330350;

Canyon Live Oak (Quercus chrysolepis Liebm.) 1 year after the Hackberry Complex Fire.

Canyon Live Oak (Quercus chrysolepis Liebm.) resprouting after the Hackberry Complex Fire.

Other articles:
• Frasera albomarginata: Establishment;

Yellow 231 at Wild Horse Mesa on 7-Jun-06.

Other articles:
• Frasera albomarginata: Budding;

Yellow 103 at Wild Horse Mesa on 7-Jun-06.

Other articles:
• Frasera albomarginata: Flowering;

White 152 on 7-Jun-06

Other articles:
• Frasera albomarginata: Budding;

White 153 on 7-Jun-06

Other articles:
• Frasera albomarginata: Establishment;

Yellow 235 on 7-Jun-06.

Other articles:
• Frasera albomarginata: Establishment;

White 168 on 7-Jun-06.

Other articles:
• Frasera albomarginata: Establishment;

White 167 on 7-Jun-06.

Other articles:
• Frasera albomarginata: Establishment;

Yellow 232 on 7-Jun-06.

Other articles:
• Hackberry Complex Fire: 7-Jun-07 near Wild Horse Mesa;

Ephedra viridis resprouting one year after the fire.

Other articles:
• Hackberry Complex Fire: 8-Jun-06;

Locations: Mid Hills Campground.

Camp site #25 in Mid Hills Campground 1 year after the Hackberry Complex Fire

Other articles:
• Hackberry Complex Fire: 340930;

Yucca schidigera resprouting one year after Hackberry Complex Fire

Other articles:
• Hackberry Complex Fire: 8-Jun-08 at Transect 5;

Lobo Point plot 1 year after fire.

Locations: Coalinga Mineral Springs.

26-Aug-06

General view of (then) Fresno Hot Springs

Group photo at Fresno Hot Springs

Photograph of hotel at Fresno Hot Springs

Received these photos from Ed Kreyenhagen. Ed writes that, "I am part of the Kreyenhagen Family that still lives in Coalinga. The family started in this area in 1875.

"The mineral springs was acquired from a foreclosure of a loan of just a few hundred dollars. This was a real part of their family business in those early years. They leased it later and finally sold it in the 1930s.

"Kreyenhagen Peak, Kreyenhagen Shale, Kreyenhagen Hills [are] all named after Gustav and Julia and their 5 children, Adolph, Emil, Hugo, Charles, and Bertha."

Friday, September 22, 2006

Other articles:
• California Highway 120: at Olmstead Point;

Locations: Half Dome.

Half Dome from Olmstead Point

Other articles:
• California Highway 120: at Tenaya Lake;

Locations: Tenaya Lake.

Tenaya Lake from Olmstead Point

View of Tenaya Lake from to top of the view point at Olmstead Point.

Locations: Tenaya Lake.

Lunch at Tenaya Lake

We stopped for lunch at Tenaya Lake.

Other articles:
• Saddlebag Lake Road: at Saddlebag Lake;

Locations: Saddlebag Lake.

Saddlebag Lake from the resort area.

Other articles:
• California Highway 120: in Lee Vining Canyon;

Saturday, September 23, 2006

Other articles:
• U. S. Highway 395: near Rush Creek;

View southwest from US Highway 395

We started off Saturday morning, headed south on US Highway 395, and were talking about Rush Creek and the June Lakes area. Cheryl though she would like to go around the loop.

California Highway 158 turns off to the southwest just before Rush Creek. There is a turnoff to Parker Lake, and then the road goes over a little rise to give a view of Grant Lake. I don’t think the canyon has a name in common usage.

Other articles:
• California Highway 158: near Grant Lake;

Locations: Grant Lake.

Grant Lake from the north shore.

The road hugs the west side of the canyon, and there is a marina and campground on Grant Lake.

There is a short, narrow section of the canyon, and then it opens up to Silver Lake. The Rush Creek trailhead is just at the lower edge of Silver Lake.

We drove by the power station and saw a little bit of the tram tracks. The tram does not run any more.

Then I tried a few side streets between Silver Lake and Gull Lake. I was hoping to get a view of Rush Creek where it comes down from Agnew Lake into Silver Lake. There is one house that is built right on the rock outcrop. It looks like this might be possible place to climb up on the rock, but one would have to work around some private property.

Other articles:
• California Highway 158: at Gull Lake;

Locations: Carson Peak. Gull Lake.

Gull Lake, in the June Lakes Loop.

We stopped at Gull Lake for a view, and we drove through the neighborhoods a little bit. It may be possible to rent a small house during the summer. This might be an alternative for me to staying in the shared housing at Lee Vining. I will have to make some inquiries.

From Gull Lake, past June Lake, and then north on US Highway 395 to the Vista Point for the West Portal.

Somewhere near here, the water from Grant Lake enters a tunnel under the Mono Craters. It then comes out in the Owens River near Owens River Road.

Other articles:
• U. S. Highway 395: near Aeolian Buttes;

Locations: Aeolian Buttes. West Portal.

Aeolian Buttes

Took some photographs of the Aeolian Buttes from the Vista Point. The buttes are composed of Bishop Tuff, i.e., the big eruption from Long Valley caldera. I don't think the interpretative sign gave the thickness of the Bishop Tuff at this location. In Anza-Borrego, I remember it to be about 6 inches thick, and I believe it is on the range of a quarter to half-inch in Nebraska.

Turned right off of US Highway 395. At this intersection there was a whimsical Tomb of the Unknown Fisherman. The intersection has been re-aligned, and now it has been replaced by the Grave of the Unknown Miner. I did not take a photo because the light was bad.

Other articles:
• California Highway 120: near Panum Crater;

Locations: Panum Crater.

Panum Crater

Back on California Highway 120, we continued to a spot opposite Panum Crater. Here, I climbed part-way up the hill for a photo of the crater to the north. While this view is OK, it sould be better from higher on the hill. While it took me about 20 minutes to climb the hill, I was back at the car in about five minutes.

Other articles:
• California Highway 120: near Panum Crater;
• Mono Lake Basin Flora: Walker Lake;

Locations: Bloody Canyon. Bloody Canyon (upper). Mono Pass. Mount Gibbs. Mount Lewis.

Bloody Canyon

Nevertheless, there was a good view of Bloody Canyon to the west in the morning light.

Literature Cited:
- Chesterman, Charles W., 1968.

Other articles:
• California Highway 120: near Panum Crater;

Locations: Mount Biedeman. Paoha Island.

Paoha Island from small hill near Panum Crater.

In the center of Mono Lake, just to the right of Panum Crater, is the white Paoha Island. Just behind and a little to the left, Negit Island can be seen. Across the lake, the highest peak is Mount Biedeman. Bodie would be just to the right and behind Mount Biedeman.

Other articles:
• California Highway 120: near Panum Crater;

Locations: South Tufa Area.

South Tufa Area from a small hill near Panum Crater.

Also to the right (east) of Panum Crater is the South Tufa Area. The parking lot is behind the tree branch.

Other articles:
• California Highway 120: near Panum Crater;

Locations: Cedar Hill.

View of Cedar Hill acress Mono Lake.

Further to the right (east) of Panum Crater, and across Mono Lake is Cedar Hill.

Literature Cited:
- Likes, Robert C., 197x.

Other articles:
• California Highway 120: at Mono Mills;

Locations: Mono Mills.

Mill site at Mono Mills.

Location of turntable at Mono Mills.

Continuing on CA Highway 120, we pulled off again at Mono Mills. There is a plaque on the flat above the site of the former lumber mill. All that can be seen are a concrete foundation and some timbers. We drove a little way to the north, looking for the site of the turntable and engine house. I believe we found it. At least we found a likely spot that had a 3 inch shaft and a squared off top. There were other timbers laying around. They had been notched in various places.

Other articles:
• California Highway 120: near Big Sand Flat; near Big Sand Flat;

Locations: Big Sand Flat.

Big Sand Flat, from the southwest.

Big Sand Flat, looking into the Mono Basin from near Sagehen Summit.

From Mono Mills, we passed over an unmarked divide, and then dropped down into Big Sand Flat. There were no flowers, as this is late September. When Steve and I came through Big Sand Flat, in mid-July 2005 there were many flowers.

The only marked pass on this portion of California Highway 120 is Sagehen Summit. I can't remember how high the highway sign said the pass was. The GNIS does not list Sagehen Summit. From the Delorme atlas, I would estimate it is about 8127 ft. There were roads leading south to Crooked Meadow, and we could see some pretty yellow and green foliage on the hills in that direction.

Other articles:
• California Highway 120: near Dobie Mdws Rd;

California Highway 120 begins climbing out of Adobe Valley.

Other articles:
• California Highway 120: near Dobie Mdws Rd;

California Highway 120 southeast towards the White Mountains.

Other articles:
• Dobie Meadows Road: near CA Hwy 120;

The southern end of Dobie Meadows Road.

Immediately upon entering Adobe Valley, we turned northeast on Dobie Meadows Road. It was actually quite some distance, farther than I had expected through the hills to the Adobe Valley Spillway. We went through a few closed basins, on a road that was mostly light sand, with very little rock.

Other articles:
• Dobie Meadows Road: 78010;

Looking into Adobe Valley.

Other articles:
• Dobie Meadows Road: 78000;

Look ahead on Dobie Meadows Road

Looking north on Dobie Meadows Road.

Other articles:
• Dobie Meadows Road: near spillway;

Adobe Hills Spillway from a distance.

View of the spillway area from the ridge immediately to the south.

Other articles:
• Dobie Meadows Road: near spillway;

Adobe Hills Spillway from the south,

Closer view of the spillway.

Other articles:
• Dobie Meadows Road: near spillway;

Looking downstream from the spillway.

Other articles:
• Dobie Meadows Road: at Adobe Hills Spillway;

Looking north across the spillway.

The spillway was easy to recognize, as we came through a small cut, and then saw it before us.

The spillway itself is not very dramatic. It is not incised, and does not drop away steeply in the direction of the current, to the south.

The elevation of the spillway is 7203 feet, by the bench mark just off the road.

Other articles:
• Dobie Meadows Road: 38000;

Looking north, north of the Adobe Hills.

In fact, the land drops away much more steeply to the north, and very quickly we were on the former lake beds of Mono Lake. Here the road was a little more sandy, and I could understand the warning that the road was not appropriate for conventional automobiles.

Other articles:
• Dobie Meadows Road: near Alameda Well;

Locations: Alameda Well.

Alameda Well and buildings, from outside the fence.

We did a drive-by of the location of Alameda Well, but it was signed and posted as property of the Flying M Ranch.

Other articles:
• Power Line Road: in Alkali Valley;
• Forest Road 058: in Alkali Valley;

Back up California Highway 167 we turned east, crossed the stateline into Nevada, and continued on Nevada State Route 359 a short way. At the power lines we turned north on a combination power line road and Toiyabe Forest 058. While Forest Road 058 diverged slightly to the east, we stayed on the power line road, as it seemed to be the better road.

At a four-way junction, we turned right, returning to Forest Road 058 as it made its way east and a little north across Alkali Valley.

Other articles:
• Forest Road 058: 54000;

Mount Hicks Spillway north across Alkali Valley.

The view of North Alkali Valley, also known as Aurora Valley, was dramatic, as was the road where it dropped into the valley.

Other articles:
• National Forest Developed Road 058C: in Alkali Valley; in Alkali Valley;

Alkali Lake from the north.

Spillway at pass to north.

I could see the shack at Buckram Well to the east, but we continued north on what was not Forest Road 058C. We met our only traffic here, two pickups, one with a trailer, that were returning from a wood gathering expedition.

The driver of the lead pickup warned us not to continue through on 058C, because there was a burned area with very difficult travel.

The last part of the road to the spillway was very rough, made of basalt cobbles.

Other articles:
• National Forest Developed Road 058C: near Mt Hicks Spillway; at Mt Hicks Spillway;

Locations: Mount Hicks Spillway.

Mount Hicks from the spillway bearing its name.

Mount Hicks Spillway, looking downstream

The top of the spillway was just a gentle pass, with no incised channel. Again, the steepest slope was on the upstream side, rather than the downstream side.

Other articles:
• National Forest Developed Road 058C: near Mt Hicks Spillway;

Looking across Mount Hicks Spillway

We went up a little side road looking for a place to eat. We found one, but were beset by yellow jackets, as soon as the car stopped. The yellow jackets were not particularly aggressive, but we ate our lunch in the car and moved on rather quickly.

I did get out and looked around. There were many obsidian flakes at this location. It's in a pass, there is probably water, and there are pinyons for nuts, and to hunt game.

Our return trip went via Buckram Well. The shack is pretty dilapidated, and looks as though it could fall over any time. There is a corral that had a small barn or shed, now also collapsed.

On our way out, I found the well. It has a casing of 2 ft diameter corrugated pipe and there is water in the pipe at 6 to 7 feet depth.

Other articles:
• Trench Canyon Road: at CA/NV boundary;

California State Border near Larkin Lake

From there, we continued straight out, back to the four way junction, and then straight across toward Larkin Lake.

Other articles:
• Trench Canyon Road: edge of Larkin Lake;

Locations: Larkin Lake.

Larkin Lake from the south edge.

From a distance the lake appears red, but this is because of the red leaves on the dried up vegetation.

Other articles:
• Trench Canyon Road: at Larkin Lake; at Larkin Lake;

Pollywogs, dead pollywogs, and yellow jackets at Larkin Lake.

Mud hole in Larkin Lake.

In the center of the dry lake, a hole has been scooped out, and resulting hole contained some very green water. There were pollywogs in the water, some of which had front and back legs. But many had died. The yellow jackets were swarming to eat the dead pollywogs.

Later, having returned home, I reviewed the collections of frogs at the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology (MVZ). There are four species of frogs that have been collected in Mono County. They are:

Great Basin Spadefoot Toad (Spea intermontana).
Mountain Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens).
Mountain Yellow-legged Frog (Rana muscosa).
Pacific Tree Frog (Pseudacris regilla).

Of the four species, it seems more likely that the species I found at Larkin Lake is the Great Basin Spadefoot Toad. The true frogs (Rana sp.) and the tree frog (Pseudacris regilla) have been collected in the Sierra Nevada of Mono County, or at the Sierra front, but not out in the Great Basin of Mono County.

Literature Cited:
- Dohrenwend, J. C., 1982.

Other articles:
• Trench Canyon Road: at SW of Trench Cyn;

Locations: Trench Canyon.

Trench Canyon from the southwest.

From Larkin Lake, we headed west through Trench Canyon. The road was easy as it went over a little rise, but then got very sandy, crossing some dunes, across a lake bed, and then up a much higher hill through some deep sand. We made it, but I was beginning to have some doubts on the steepest part of the sandy hill.

Other articles:
• Trench Canyon Road: 17050;

West of Trench Canyon.

From there on, the road was more or less sandy, but nothing that was particularly threatening.

Other articles:
• Dobie Meadows Road: at Lime Kiln;

Locations: Lime Kiln.

Lime Kiln, north shore Mono Lake.

We stopped at the Lime Kiln, having missed the Bodie and Benton Roadbed. I noted that there were some excavated tufa deposits here that must have been the source material for the kilns.

Kirkwood Spring appeared to be occupied by a house, and we continued on Dobie Meadows Road until we reached Cottonwood Canyon Road, also the road to Bodie.

We took a little shortcut on Cemetery Road from CA Hwy 167 to 395.

Other articles:
• Cemetery Road (FR 02N40): near Mill Creek;
• Mono Lake Basin Flora: at Mill Creek;

Locations: Mill Creek.

Mill Creek near Mono Lake.

Stopped to take a photo of Mill Creek, on its way to Mono Lake.

Other articles:
• Cemetery Road (FR 02N40): at Mono Lake Cemetery;

Locations: Mono Lake Cemetery.

Mono Lake Cemetery

Then we stopped in the cemetery for a little while to view the headstones.

Other articles:
• Cemetery Road (FR 02N40): at Mono Lake County Park;
• Mono Lake Basin Flora: at County Park;

Locations: Mono Lake County Park.

Boardwalk to Mono Lake shore at Mono Lake County Park.

Mono Lake at Mono Lake County Park on north shore.

At Mono Lake Park we took the boardwalk down to see the tufa and the birds. There were many gulls, a few grebes, lots of starlings, a few ducks (ruddy ducks?), and a black bird of robin size with a yellow or orange neck and bib. That one we not sure what it was.

From there, we came back to the motel, where I am making these notes, while we wait for dinner time.

Sunday, September 24, 2006

Other articles:
• California Highway 120: at Ellery Lake;

Locations: Ellery Lake.

Ellery Lake in the morning.

The metamorphic rocks behind Ellery Lake were lit up by the morning sun.

Locations: Cathedral Peak.

Cheryl near Lembert Dome with Cathedral Peak in background.

Cheryl on the flanks of Lembert Dome with Cathedral Peak in the background.

Locations: Soda Springs.

View of Soda Springs

Some springs at Soda Springs

We parked at the Lembert Dome trailhead parking lot, and set out for Soda Springs. We got started in the wrong direction and learned the we were headed for Dog Lake. Catching on, we returned to the road cross country. There is a half-mile hike down a dusty road to the real trailhead for Soda Springs. Then another half-mile hike on a flat trail to the springs.

At Soda Springs there is a small spring mound with red algae around. From there, we walked down to the bridge over the Tuolumne River, and then on a small trail cross country to the Tuolumne Meadows Grill, then back to the Lembert Dome along the highway.

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Date and time this article was prepared: 4/24/2026 5:06:51 PM