Johnny Lang Mine

 If you google "Johnny Lang Mine", nearly all of the search results direct you to Johnny Lang and the Lost Horse Mine. The Lost Horse Mine is a popular destination within Joshua Tree National Park, and it's perhaps the best preserved mine in the Park. Johnny Lang discovered the Lost Horse Mine, so I guess it's not surprising that this is where Google directs you.

 

And yet, there is a location called "Johnny Lang Mine". It shows up on some maps. In the desert blog sites and social media pages I follow, I can't recall seeing a post, or even a photo, of the Johnny Lang Mine. I love a good mystery, and places that are off the beaten path and rarely visited, so join me today as I try to find the Johnny Lang mine!

 

The drive in to the spot where I'm going to begin my hike is absolutely stunning. Driving this old dirt road through the Joshua trees was one of the highlights of my day. Unfortunately, this day turned out to be hot (upper 80's). The hike would lead me up a mountainside, so lots of elevation change. I was hiking solo in an area I've not hiked before, so important considerations were to proceed with caution and carry lots of water. I am also carrying a Garmin InReach (since there is no cell service in the park) so I can send my wife my location on a regular basis.

 

I spot this interesting arch on my drive in.

 

Throughout this hike, I would be seeing dead Joshua Trees. In 2009, the so called "Lost Horse Fire" burned 450 acres in this area. It destroyed many Joshua trees, pinion pines, and junipers. The area is still in recovery mode, and it's encouraging to see new sprouts coming from some of the damaged Joshua trees.

 

There is no trail to follow to get to Johnny Lang mine, so I'm hiking across open desert, following a route I've saved to my handheld GPS. My track is being recording on my Garmin GPSMAP 64st and also on my phone using the Gaia GPS app. In theory, the data recorded at the end of the hike should be identical.

 

Interesting rock formations.

 

Beautifully balanced boulder!

 

The rocks in this area are getting interesting and colorful.

 

This rock catches my attention. First of all, it looks as if it was placed here. Secondly, it's got a lot of interesting color in it (predominantly gold, although hard to see in the photo). I have no idea what a gold nugget would look like in nature, but perhaps something like this?? It's quite large, and requires two hands to lift it. Have I struck it rich?? 😉
 

Scallop rock. My climb to the top of this small mountain is starting to begin. It's steep, it's hot, and I'm huffing and puffing. For this kind of hiking, you take your time. One step at a time, rest as often as you want, and enjoy the scenery along the way!

 

After a long uphill slog, I finally make it to the top. I think that's Mt. Minerva Hoyt in the distance. Somewhere up here is where the mine should be, but I don't see it yet.

  

 

The views are nice, but where the heck is the Johnny Lang Mine??

 

Finally, my first view of the mine! I'm going to have to climb down to it. My legs feel like noodles from the long climb up, but I think I can make it. It's a long hike back so I have to be smart and keep some gas in the tank.

 

I'm disappointed, but not surprised, that the mine has a protective cage over it. It will make it hard to get any decent photos. But these mines are extremely dangerous and often very deep.

 

I'm sticking the lens of my camera through the iron cage grates to get this photo. What an interesting old crank and cable. I can't tell how deep this vertical shaft descends, or how someone would get down there to dig. Is there a horizontal shaft somewhere in the area that connects to this shaft?

 

My friend Steve C. told me that this cage wasn't here in the '80s and before. He has memories of crawling on hands and knees to the edge to look down. Both scary and dangerous!!

 

After a little more exploring, I need to start thinking about the hike back. I'll sign off here, and share photos from the hike back on my next post. Thanks for joining me on this adventure!!

 

Linking with Skywatch Friday.

Stay safe & stay healthy!