Thursday, April 9, 2020

Clark's Pass Hike

Last week I mentioned I was considering a desert hike. Well, I ended up doing it. I had to drive to the location, but I didn't see another human during the hike, so there was zero risk of transmitting or receiving a pathogen. Reflecting back, it probably wasn't the right decision. Had I injured myself and required medical attention, I might have been pulling valuable resources away from someone else. And I don't want to be encouraging people not to follow the rules in their neck of the woods. Thankfully, no injuries and all went as planned. But that will be it for now. I'll be sheltering in place and doing my best to stay healthy. I hope you are doing the same.

With Joshua Tree National Park closed, you have to get creative to find places to hike. For a while now, I've noticed a large wash on the north side of Highway 62 whenever I drive out to east JT for a hike, and thought it might make for a nice hike.
The red arrow in the map above points to the opening of the wash. It looks like if you follow the wash far enough, you come to an area that looks sandy, which is unusual in the middle of rocky hills like this (see map below).
I'm calling this the "Hidden Dunes" hike because of what looks like a sand dune area in the middle of these rocky hills. An interesting place to explore, so join me as we go check it out!
After parking the car, I hiked down into this broad wash that parallels Highway 62. A pretty wash with some nice smoke trees. I saw sunlight reflecting off something underneath a creosote bush, and was amazed to find this old bottle.
What an interesting old bottle and a nice deep amber color! It's common to find broken glass out in the desert, but intact bottles are rare. As I thought about "why would this old bottle be here?", I recall seeing what looked like some old dirt roads in this wash. The location of this old whisky bottle might literally have been right along side the old road or trail that snaked through Clark's Pass prior to Highway 62 being constructed.

There are few markings on the bottle, other than what look like ornate roses, vines, and two flat areas for labels, which have long since eroded away. After some googling around, I learned this looks like a Four Roses whisky bottle. There is nothing on the back of the bottle. The bottom of the bottle says T M REG US PAT OFF and PAT PENDING, so not much help.

There is what looks like a nail or piece of metal sticking out of what's left of the cork stopper, which is deep in the neck of the bottle. I have no idea what this piece of metal is doing. It's firmly in place, as if the metal was embedded in the cork to reinforce it. My limited google searching hasn't turned up anything yet, but I did find a wonderful blog on the topic: www.bourbonguy.com/blog. Yes, definitely a Four Roses bottle, no doubt about it. But I wonder how old it is? On a whim, I sent some photos of the bottle to Eric Burke at the blog. I was surprised and pleased when he answered me right back with some very helpful information. Here's what he had to say: 

This is an interesting bottle you have there. And not just for the nail that was sticking out of it. My initial thought was that this was a  Prohibition Era bottle, because I’ve seen a lot of them with that embossing pattern from that era. But then I remembered that during Prohibition you were limited to pint size bottles and this look to be larger than that. From the size of your hand, I’m guessing it is quart size. 

I know that it isn’t from between the end Prohibition to 1964 because of the lack of government mandated information in the glass. And after 1964 Four Roses was using clear glass bottles. 

So that leaves us with Pre-Prohibition. The scar on the bottom and the quality of the seam on the side points toward this being a machine made bottle. The first bottle making machines were introduced in 1905, so this is after that. But they weren’t common for a few more years. Probably around 1910. I do not see a volume marking in your photo. Those were mandated on all bottles made after September 1914. So that gives us a range of 1905 to 1914 (1919 if it has the volume marking that I am missing) and a probable narrowing of the range of 1910-1914. 

I have no idea about the nail…though it did originally have a cork stopper. That’s a cool find you have there.

Thanks, Eric! So this is a Four Roses whiskey bottle that was made sometime between 1905 and 1914. Over 100 years old! In my minds eye I can see some old grizzled prospector traveling by horseback along this road (perhaps more of a trail back then) with a pack mule, swigging from this bottle, and chucking it in the bushes, cursing that it's empty. 

This bottle has been a major diversion, but a fun one. Let's get back to the hike!


A little ways up the wash, I come across this 4"x4" post in the ground. Very weird. My first thought... could it be a grave marker? The post is weathered, so it's been here quite a while. It's solid and doesn't budge when I push it. Someone went to a lot of trouble to bury this post.

As I continue my hike, I find two additional posts. They are all identical looking, just different locations. All three are along the east side of the wash. They don't seem to be marking a boundary. If they were up on the rocky hills, I would suspect a mining claim or marker, but these are in the wash. I'll add this to my long list of desert mysteries that will likely never be solved!

I saw no hiker footprints in this remote area, but was disappointed to see someone had recently driven a quad up the wash. This area falls within the Sheephole Valley Wilderness, so no motorized vehicles of any kind are allowed.

My first view of a small sand dune area. 


It's fun photographing the dunes and trying to capture the sand patterns.

As I started my hike up "Hidden Dune", I had to stop to catch my breath and decided it's a good time for another photo. This one is a look-back at the wash I had just hiked up. 

Another look-back shot. The thing I will remember most about this area is the interesting mix of sand dunes and boulders.

Another interesting find: This particular area in the photo above is FULL of quartz rocks, large and small. The photo doesn't do it justice, but they are beautiful rocks. The more I hike in the desert, the more interested I become in geology and rocks. I've heard that "gold follows quartz" and gold, in fact, can be found in quartz. It nestles in the veins or cracks and can sometimes be seen as small particles or scales. Who knows, may be I've discovered a gold mine!!

But someone's been here before me. I found four of these pipes on the ground. They look to be about 1/2" in diameter and 10" long, and capped on each end. I have no idea what they are. I checked in with a knowledgeable friend of mine and he didn't know either. If you think you might know what they are, I would love to hear from you!

Here's a good view of 'Hidden Dune'. While it turns out not to be a true dune, you can clearly make out an area of sandy soil surrounded by rocks. This is as far as I got on today's hike, but there's a lot more to see on the return hike. Check back next week for more photos. I'll leave you with this late afternoon sky shot.
A single pair of headlights heading east on Highway 62.

Linking with Skywatch Friday.
Thanks for stopping by. Stay safe and stay healthy!

51 comments:

  1. That bottle is quite a find. I wondered about your hiking in back of beyond. I'm glad you were able to get out, though. It's nice to get away just for a bit.

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  2. I enjoyed your hike but do agree we all need to be an example of staying home. I am just bored beyond words. I love the old whiskey bottle but can't figure out why there is a nail in the cork. Strange. Take care and Happy Easter.

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  3. From the air it looks like a giant dinosaur with wobbly legs.

    Hmm. That sounded less ridiculous before I typed it out!

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  4. Isn't it fun to find stuff in the desert? Wondering where they came from, what they are, and who left them there. My hikes are short these days and I shouldn't go alone very far, so I enjoy following along on yours. Your always fabulous pictures make that easy.

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  5. wow an old bottle how cool, glad you went away and did some research on it, did you take it home with you?

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  6. ...your last one is magical!!!

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  7. Such an interesting post. The bottle was a great find, the nail a true curiosity!

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  8. Beautiful scenery and interesting photos. I'm glad you will now be sheltering in place though. In my neck of the woods all parks, trails and such like are strictly forbidden because the long weekend is here along with gorgeous weather. Too many people getting out and about and not keeping social distance. Keep safe.

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  9. The vehicle tracks: Don't just hate it when people can't play by the rules? Imagine the lizards scurrying for cover as that quad roared through the wash! Poor creatures!

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    1. I agree. I also worry about destroying all the burrows under the sand, including those of desert tortoises. Unless you've hiked in the desert, you probably don't realize how many of it's creatures burrow underground.

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  10. I looove this post! That bottle is pretty beautiful in itself but having Eric confirm how old it is is just crazy, 100 years! Very lucky find indeed. And I'm so amazed on how you can look for hiking places of your own. I want to do some long walks myself when all this is over, if only I live close by I would ask you to tag me on your trips.

    Happy Skywatch!

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  11. A lot of interesting info in your post! First of all, I forgot you could not have gone to the Nat. Park, which makes it probably harder or riskier, eh? The bottle is a great find. Hope you kept that one as a souvenir? What did you mean you had to rethink some of your images, after seeing my post? The ribs of sand look perfect to me! Sigh, there are always people who think they are above the rules - tiring!
    Amazing in your last shot, how two little lights must have made you not all alone in the desert. Wishing you and yours a very good Easter:) Jesh

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    1. You mentioned "With time this pandemic may be symbolized by the ribs of “sand”. It kind of made me think about the sand dune photos in a different way. Hope your Easter was a good one, and stay healthy!

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  12. I keep thinking about that nail. You know, I reckon some lonely thirsty guy was following after your prospector and couldn't get the cork out, so tried being inventive using a nail to dig it out! Who knows LOL.
    Here in New Zealand they have now banned all trekking, swimming, fishing, surfing, kayaking, mountaineering, hunting, anything that might require you to be rescued if you had an accident. The argument is that if you needed rescuing you would be putting your rescuers at risk because they would have to break their own isolation 'bubbles.'
    Take care, Mxx

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    1. I was thinking something similar about that nail. My wife had a guess similar to yours. The odd thing is, if it's a nail, it's the sharp end sticking out of the bottle. My theory is the cork tended to get stuck down in the bottle, so the person drinking pushed a nail through from the "bottom" of the cork out. That would ensure the nail stayed in the cork, and also give the person something to grab on to, which would (in theory) make the cork easier to remove. The more drunk the person became, the more likely they were to stick the nail into their finger!!

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  13. Another excellent adventure of yours. And what a great find. For some reason I was thinking "Four Roses Whiskey" when I first saw the photo.
    I am with you on trying to divert medical attention from those who might need it. So not that I am adventurous, I am trying to be a little more careful.
    I'm glad that our parks are still open.

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  14. Interesting how you find these areas to hike. I enjoy old bottles and have found a few, but nothing that old except in GITMO, we found some very old beer and wine bottles. Should have kept them. The only thing I could think of with the pipes is someone was planning 'pipe bomb?'
    Anyway I certainly enjoyed the hike from my chair. BUT you brought up something I had not considered, the idea of being injured and pulling needed medical sources. Nice thinking. As always THANKS for bringing the desert alive for me.
    Sherry & jack on the first coast.

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    1. Thanks for your comment, Jack. Pipe bomb crossed my mind. Specifically, something used by miners to expose veins in rocks in their search for gold or other minerals. The four pipes I found were very near the area with all the quartz. Perhaps the miners would drill into the rocks and insert these pipes into the holes, add a blasting cap, and see what they find! That's a total guess on my part.

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  15. Interesting post and pics.
    Greetings.

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  16. Wow, what a great find and adventure! We very need such flights in this times!
    Happy Easter from Germany

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  17. ANother fabulous post! I envy you for your proximity to this marvelous place, and for your energy in exploring it. Stay well...

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  18. The dune shot is great.
    Happy Easter weekend to you and your dearest (at home)!

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  19. Very interesting again and beautiful as always.

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  20. You always find the most interesting things in the middle of nowhere on your hikes! That bottle is especially cool - and that it is that old and still totally intact is incredible. Loved going along on this hike with you, virtually. Happy Easter! and stay well.

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  21. Hello,

    Another great hike! The 100 yr old bottle was a great find. I like the first sky and smoke tree photo, the dune is cool too. Great photos! Take care and stay safe! Enjoy your day! Happy Easter to you and your family.

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  22. Thank you for this post. I feel like I too got out in the sunshine. Interesting find and facts about the bottle too.

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  23. Wow! Intriguing hike for you ~ very different and quite the find ~ whiskey bottle is lovely ~ beautiful glass and color ~

    Be Well,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  24. Very scary thinking about being injured out there by yourself. Take care.

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  25. Quite a treck though I have no doubt my wife would have forbidden me to go on it just incase I did get into trouble. Different landscape from what you normaly show but still just as beautiful

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  26. Hi! What a treasure hunt this was! And fortunately you were not harmed on the trip! We also try to avoid trips where we can slip or fall, and now the snow is gone so it helps! Wishing you good health and good Easter!

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  27. What a lot of wonderful mysteries waiting to be solved in the dunes. The bottle is a beauty. If not you, some collectors out there would surely love to have it. What great information was given by Eric.

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  28. I live in KY on the Bourbon Trail and recognized that bottle. That's some good bourbon :)

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  29. I've always been a bit scared of you hurting yourself (as much as I enjoy your photos and hiking stories) I'm glad you decided to stop for the duration. Where I live (upstate New York) we may now only shop or use local parks on an even/odd system contingent on your birth year.

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  30. How fun to find a pretty bottle and then find someone who could date it for you. I would put it on a windowsill and enjoy the sun coming through it and be reminded of your hike during Covid-19. We have some wildlife preserves and a whole national forest still open for walking. We seldom see anyone else and it sure feels good to get out in nature.

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  31. Interesting post as was your hike as well. I do like the dunes. In Eastern Washington in a strange area are the dunes and of course the Oregon Dunes are famous or at least noteworthy. In Oregon the sand just grows and moves and in places is up against homes and crossing the road. Very interesting. Oregon Dunes~~https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oregon_Dunes_National_Recreation_Area
    Washington dunes~~https://www.google.com/search?q=washington%20dunes&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS893US893&oq=washington+dunes&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l7.3655j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&npsic=0&rflfq=1&rlha=0&rllag=46753340,-121507376,206918&tbm=lcl&rldimm=8978439050495675235&lqi=ChB3YXNoaW5ndG9uIGR1bmVzWhkKBWR1bmVzIhB3YXNoaW5ndG9uIGR1bmVz&phdesc=qaRIZfbicYA&ved=2ahUKEwjkrpiF7d7oAhXWqp4KHZWGDsAQvS4wAXoECAoQKQ&rldoc=1&tbs=lrf:!1m4!1u3!2m2!3m1!1e1!1m4!1u2!2m2!2m1!1e1!1m5!1u15!2m2!15m1!1shas_1wheelchair_1accessible_1entrance!4e2!2m1!1e2!2m1!1e3!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:1&rlst=f#rlfi=hd:;si:8978439050495675235,l,ChB3YXNoaW5ndG9uIGR1bmVzWhkKBWR1bmVzIhB3YXNoaW5ndG9uIGR1bmVz,y,qaRIZfbicYA;mv:[[48.5229311,-117.0902165],[46.2329959,-124.57733250000001]];tbs:lrf:!1m4!1u3!2m2!3m1!1e1!1m4!1u2!2m2!2m1!1e1!2m1!1e2!2m1!1e3!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:1
    Weird try it anyway
    MB

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  32. Sorry I didn't mention all the neat stuff you found. I am impressed by the whiskey bottle.
    Stay home and stay safe
    MB

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  33. Great captures and a marvelous find of the century old bottle!
    Stay safe.

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  34. WOW, your last picture is stunning!! The far-off pair of headlights only add to the beauty and interest. Who knew there were so many mysteries and treasures in the desert? I hope you kept the bottle and have cleaned it up. I have loved my trip with you, and now I can say I have been to the desert.

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  35. Interesting find in the desert. Thank you for taking us with you on your hiking tour.

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  36. What an interesting hike with lots and lots to see and discover. That bottle is amazing and Eric was very knowledgable in figuring out it's age. I love sand dunes so I would enjoy seeing this place. I thoroughly enjoyed looking at your photos.

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  37. The pipe with ends could be a place to put your mining claim location notice.. never actually seen that done, but I have seen a lot of other things used, tobacco cans, bottles, medicine bottles and on etc. I looked up the BLM records and there hasn't been a mining claim filed here since BLM began keeping records in 1979.

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    1. Thank you Larry. I hadn't considered a storage location for a mining claim. Also appreciate you looking up the BLM records for mining claims. I guess that means these are not mining claims, or they are pre-1979.

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  38. What a fabulous hike! I always enjoy your wonderful photos and the interesting sidetracks are a bonus!


    Feel free to share at My Corner of the World

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  39. not only a great nature, but you also find treasures on your hikes!

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  41. So, I am curious - did you leave the bottle there? What a fabulous historic find!

    As one who does a lot of hiking in the wilderness, it is tough to imagine ceasing all hiking activity for fear that we divert resources fighting the pandemic. But I suppose I am being selfish! A dilemma to be sure. What a complex world we are living in!

    Thanks for sharing this trip with us, as we might not get another one soon.

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  42. Mysteries abound in this post. I’m glad your readers helped you solve the bottle and possibly the claim stakes . One of the first things I thought of when all this started (or rather when we first heard about it) was not only to hope we didn’t get *the* virus, but also that nobody in our family needed a Dr or the ER ward for any other reason.... hospitals aren’t a safe place to be now.

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  43. Those are wonderful trip and photos you got here. I love sand dunes! We went to the Death Valley back in 2017 (feels like ages agooo) and really had an adventure in Mesquita

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