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Scott (dezertdog) and I set up a small group to run a sightseeing tour around the El Paso Mountains. We left the Victorville area after breakfast this morning with Scott (dezertdog) and friend Kurt, Kevin (1 Bad F N Z) and wife Chris, and myself (great88) and headed north on Hwy 395 to Garlock. The drive was actually shorter than expected and we were at Garlock by 8:15am. At Garlock we met up with John (Calico Kid), Wayne (in a 88YJ) and their friend Joey (Off road prepped Lexus SUV).
John led us on this trip due to the fact that he goes out here a couple times a month. First stop was at a series of mining claims that John holds. We drove up an old mining trail to a couple of mine tunnels and a nice secluded area to explore. A beautiful canyon spot with lots of wild flowers and lots of old stuff to check out. Next we headed up Mesquite Canyon to an Adopt-A-Cabin on top of Garlock Peak. "Walsh Cabin" has an awesome view above the Fremont Valley floor and Koehn Dry Lake. Salt was once harvested from the dry lake after rains and evaporation.
Next we went to the historical "Burro Schmidt Tunnel" and camp area. We checked out the 2000' hard rock mine tunnel and watched the parade of off-roader quads and motorcycles visiting the area. Next john led us to the "Bickel Camp". Bickel Camp is named after Walter Bickel and is a living museum. The onsite host Mark gave us the complete tour of tons of equipment that Walter Bickel used during his years of mining the area and we also had a tour of the cabin that Mr Bickel lived in and is left in 100 original condition. After our special tour we lft for Gerbract Camp, Colorado Camp, and then to Sheep Spring. The views and colors are just amazing. Just north of Sheep Spring we found some of the scattered Petroglyphs in the area. We continued north to Brown Road and back to Hwy 395 to air up and head home. The trails that we took today were EP100, EP15, and EP26. Thank you to John, Wayne, Joey, Scoot, Kurt, Kevin, and Chris. What a wonderful day! 15 hours after heading out I got back to Hesperia. A very cool way to spend my birthday. Thanks all.....
Mitch
Meeting in Garlock
John's claims
Walsh Cabin
Kevin and Wayne flexing at Walsh Cabin
I finally broke down and put the hardtop on for the road trip
Burro Schimdt Tunnel and Cabin
Bickel Camp and museum
Remains of Colorado Camp
Trail to Sheep Spring
Sheep Spring and Petroglyphs
John led us on this trip due to the fact that he goes out here a couple times a month. First stop was at a series of mining claims that John holds. We drove up an old mining trail to a couple of mine tunnels and a nice secluded area to explore. A beautiful canyon spot with lots of wild flowers and lots of old stuff to check out. Next we headed up Mesquite Canyon to an Adopt-A-Cabin on top of Garlock Peak. "Walsh Cabin" has an awesome view above the Fremont Valley floor and Koehn Dry Lake. Salt was once harvested from the dry lake after rains and evaporation.
Next we went to the historical "Burro Schmidt Tunnel" and camp area. We checked out the 2000' hard rock mine tunnel and watched the parade of off-roader quads and motorcycles visiting the area. Next john led us to the "Bickel Camp". Bickel Camp is named after Walter Bickel and is a living museum. The onsite host Mark gave us the complete tour of tons of equipment that Walter Bickel used during his years of mining the area and we also had a tour of the cabin that Mr Bickel lived in and is left in 100 original condition. After our special tour we lft for Gerbract Camp, Colorado Camp, and then to Sheep Spring. The views and colors are just amazing. Just north of Sheep Spring we found some of the scattered Petroglyphs in the area. We continued north to Brown Road and back to Hwy 395 to air up and head home. The trails that we took today were EP100, EP15, and EP26. Thank you to John, Wayne, Joey, Scoot, Kurt, Kevin, and Chris. What a wonderful day! 15 hours after heading out I got back to Hesperia. A very cool way to spend my birthday. Thanks all.....
Mitch
Meeting in Garlock
John's claims
Walsh Cabin
Kevin and Wayne flexing at Walsh Cabin
I finally broke down and put the hardtop on for the road trip
Burro Schimdt Tunnel and Cabin
Bickel Camp and museum
Remains of Colorado Camp
Trail to Sheep Spring
Sheep Spring and Petroglyphs
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