Eagle Cliff Cabin (revisited)

I've posted on the Eagle Cliff cabin previously (Eagle Cliff Mine (part 1) and Eagle Cliff Mine (part 2)), but since it's one of my favorite hikes and places to visit in Joshua Tree National Park, I don't feel too guilty about posting again! This time it wasn't a solo hike. I had my cousin from Chicago with me. He loves to hike and is a fellow photographer, so the perfect hiking companion.

The old miner's cabin is in a somewhat remote area of Joshua Tree. It's not on any of the JT maps, and the trail going to it is unmarked and in places hard to follow. It's one of those "secret" places that not too many people know about. Perhaps best of all, the cabin is well preserved... no graffiti and hikers respect it and leave it as they found it for other hikers to enjoy.

Photo of yours truly; photo credit S. Wessel

One of a number of old mines (this one is in the Desert Queen mining area). Note the old tracks used for moving the ore.

Along the way, my cousin found this old rusty can with "Union Carbide Co." on the bottom. An internet search revealed that the Union Carbide Company sold calcium carbide which was used in "carbide lamps" by miners in their lanterns and helmet lamps. By slowly adding water to calcium carbide, you produce acetylene, which produces a bright flame for the lamp. Basic chemistry, right? When the can was new, it might have looked like the one in the photo below. After taking the photo, we put the can back exactly as we found it.

Photo credit S. Wessel

Just before reaching the miner's cabin, you will see the opening to the Eagle Cliff Mine. It's actually easy to miss because of the bushes partially obscure the opening. Like all of the mines in this area, there is a gate a little ways inside the mine so you can no longer go inside and explore.

Let's take a look inside the cabin...

And from the outside...

The area around the cabin (Eagle Cliff) is worth the hike all by itself. Beautiful rock formations and spectacular views! Look closely at the photo below and you will see my silhouette up in the rocks.

Photo credit S. Wessel

That little speck of a person in the flat area is cousin Scott!

Hope you enjoyed joining us on our hike to the Eagle Cliff miner's cabin!

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Fog in the Desert

Like rain, we don't get much fog in the desert. When we do, it's a rare treat. The skies aren't pretty, but it creates a nice mood. We drove up to Keys View recently, which is where these shots were taken. The sky was pretty at the lower elevations, but when we got up to Keys View, it was cold, windy, and foggy. This location usually has some of the best views of anywhere in Joshua Tree National Park, but not today!! People say that on a good day you can see all the way to the hills of Mexico.

Hmmm... What view, Grandpa???

Cold and windy, but that didn't slow her down!!

Time to head back to the car!!

Thanks for checking out my moody, gray skies!

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Rain In The Desert

A long time ago, when rainfall used to be more plentiful, hardy folk grazed cattle in what is now Joshua Tree National Park. Dams (sometimes called "tanks") were built to trap rainwater for the cattle, and there are a handful in the park that survive to this day. The best known is Barker Dam. Seems like every time I've hiked the area in the past few years, Barker Dam has been dry or with an underwhelming amount of water. Usually not much more than a mud hole.

Enter the recent rains we've been having, and Barker Dam has been transformed!! I took these photos Sunday morning, before all the rain of Sunday afternoon and evening, so there is even more water now!

The morning started out with a nice view of a rainbow out our kitchen window. It actually looks like the end of the rainbow lands in our front yard! What a nice way to start off our day!!

Not your typical desert view, wouldn't you agree!!?

Start planning now for the spring wildflower blooms in the CA desert. They should be fantastic!

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A Halo of Clouds

I couldn't resist taking a few iPhone shots of my granddaughter while she was playing at the local elementary school playground recently. The sky was beautiful with nice big, fluffy clouds!

Happy dance!!

Backboard for handball

Climbing to the clouds??!!

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