Since I needed to spend a couple of days in Bakersfield taking care of some property business, we decided to continue on to the Mojave. I wanted to revisit more of the Mojave National Preserve, so on the Thursday, Jan 16 we drove to Barstow. But first, we made a stop in Rainbow Basin, a fascinating geological area (as well as mammal fossil area).
Barstow syncline
A syncline is where tilted layers of rock meet in a V (the reverse of this is an anticline). Note that the lighter color layers on top of the V are not tilted, so were likely laid down after the syncline was formed.
We did a short hike in a narrow canyon (I found it on All Trails). It was disappointing to us—perhaps more rock scrambling than we can do was required to go further. On a previous trip I had done a much more interesting hike through a different canyon and then returning over the top seeing the various exposed layers, including several areas where fossil excavation had taken place. (I should mention that fossil collecting by private individuals is not allowed. The excavations were done by universities).
Later that afternoon, we checked in to our currently favorite motel (three free nights courtesy of the motel chain reward card) and set about trying to find a suitable restaurant. Since being diagnosed with celiac disease restaurant choices have become much more limited and I thought there were only two restaurants in town that I trusted. But, surprise, an old favorite Italian restaurant had a few gluten free choices on their menu and we found them delicious.
The next morning, Friday Jan 17, we tried to get away early, but failed. It was a good 90 minute drive to the area I wanted to explore first on Cima road in the Mojave National Preserve (MNP). Our first stop was at the Evening Star Mine with its remarkable head-frame. With remnants of snow on the ground and a blowing wind it was really chilly.
Evening Star Mine
This mine operated from 1939 to 1944 and was the only producer of tin ore in the Mojave desert. The 60′ tall head-frame was one the few that had a crusher on top. There are many mines in the general area of the Evening Star, and several old cabins as well. That’s where we headed next.
J. Riley Bembry was a central figure in prospecting and mining in the area. He staked the claim for the Evening Star Mine, but sold it within a year. His cabin has been restored to a condition that folks overnight in it (in spite of the rodents and possible hantavirus.
Riley cabin
From Riley’s backyard you could sit on a makeshift double or triple swing and check out the vista, including the nearest neighbor.
Geer cabin in the distance
We drove over to the little cabin in the photo above. It is the Geer cabin and has been nicely restored.
Geer cabin
We stopped for a photo at the famous Mojave Cross. Riley Bembry erected this to honor the WWI dead in 1934. In 2002 a lower court ruled the cross illegal because it was on public land. In a land swap deal, Congress transferred a small area around the cross to the VFW. This ended up in the Supreme Court, but in a 5-4 decision it was sent back to a lower court. The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California approved the land exchange in April 2012 and the cross was rededicated.
The Mojave Cross
We drove on down the road to Cima and then across the railroad tracks and out to the Death Valley Mine. It took longer than I expected, but we still got there just before sunset. This area was called Dawson Camp in the late 1800’s. In 1906 J.L. Bright staked a claim and called it Death Valley Mine for unknown reasons. There are several structures at this site, some still in relatively good condition. The mine was reactivated in the 1950’s and perhaps some of the better preserved structures date from that period. A nice write-up and more photos than I took are here at Cali49.
Old cabin at the Death Valley Mine
We did more exploring in the MNP the following day. We visited Kelso, where the old rail depot is now the Preserve headquarters and visitor center. Then we drove out Rock Springs through Cedar Canyon. It seemed so short on the map—it’s easy to be fooled on how long it will take.
The setting sun illuminates the mountains
I’ve more photos in the gallery. Check them out.
Links:
— Mojave Desert January 2020 gallery
