El Paso Mountains-craggy rocks...

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El Paso Mountains, four-wheel-drive trail.

Nikon D70, 1/125th sec. @ f.16.

Bickel Camp in the spring.....

The wildflowers were stunning, when I was at Bickel Camp, earlier this month.

For more information about Bickel Camp, access the link that is shown at the bottom of this page.

As for the photograph itself, I shot it with my Nikon D70 as follows:

1/125th sec.@ f.16

http://elpasomountains.blogspot.com/search?q=Bickel+Camp

Jeep Cherokee in the Coso Mountains....

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I don't know much about the old wooden structure in the photograph.  But, I want people to see that a modified vehicle is not needed in order to explore many places in the wilderness.  Of course, it is up to the the reader to determine if he, she, and/or his or her vehicle is capable of negotiating a particular trail. I take no responsibility for anyone's injuries or damages, here.  I resent the fact that I have to write such a disclaimer, but we live in a lawsuit-friendly society.

At any rate, the reader will notice that my old Cherokee's rear axle has swiveled to match the terrain.  Seasoned off-road drivers (not that I claim to be one of those) refer to this as articulation.  As in:  "This vehicle has good axle articulation."  As a matter of fact, I would say that a stock Jeep Cherokee, like the one in the photograph does, indeed, demonstrate good axle articulation.

El Paso Mountains-More About Colorado Camp...

Johannesburg's Justice of the Peace, a man by the name of Charles Knight, was the original owner of Colorado Camp.

After World War One ended, a returning veteran by the name of C.C. French (i.e. "Frenchie") went to work for Knight at Colorado Camp.

The camp, which is adjacent to Black Mountain, didn't seem to produce much, but there was enough gold dust ("color") in the shoveled dirt to keep Frenchie interest.  Ultimately, Frenchie became the owner of Colorado Camp.

Using his "colored dirt" as bait, Frenchie tried to attract investors in the camp-he even carried a gold nugget with him.  He did get a fair number of people to "grubstake"  (finance) his operation- usually in the amount of $25 per month.

Once he received his grubstake money, Frenchie and his dog, "Bow Wow" would pile into Frenchie's truck and drive down to Mojave for supplies.   Typically, Frenchie used the money for gambling, allowing himself enough to buy minimal food and supplies.

During these trips to Mojave, Frenchie would pick up a hitch-hiker and, citing the need for a helper at his camp, convince the hapless passenger to work at Colorado camp in exchange for food and half the gold found.

Usually, the "employee" found himself doing all of the underground digging, while Frenchie-who claimed to be in poor health-stayed outside and ran the dry washer.  This arrangement lasted as long as the helper was content with food, shelter, and some flecks of gold.

Frenchie operated this way for years.  Between grubstakes and hitch-hikers, Frenchie spewed rants from his typewriter about taxes (which was ironic, because he didn't pay any), the government, and, of all things, the weather.  He submitted his work to the Saturday Evening Post, but the editors refused to publish any of his material.

Eventually, C.C. "Frenchie" French faded into the mists of history, leaving behind only the ruins of his camp.

Colorado Camp Ruins, El Paso Mountains...

A crumbling fireplace and chimney mark the location of Colorado Camp.

Cracked rock-El Paso Mountains...

Drone Over Burro-Schmidt's Tunnel

Once again, more footage from my Parrot AR drone...

Burro Schmidt Tunnel-from a drone...: http://youtu.be/R_aU-CCYS0Q

More drone footage...

The camera appears to be tilted, because it is.  The little aircraft was battling 15- knot winds, so the drone (which is essentially a flying camera) automatically tilts into the wind, in order to maintain its position.

Copy the link:

El Paso Mountains, as seen from a drone..: http://youtu.be/gDTyCb4B_f0

El Paso Mountains screen image: Mormon Gulch.

I've consulted several books on the Mojave Desert, and I have not been able to find any material on Mormon Gulch.  I imagine that the area was given its name in honor Mormon pioneers who may have passed through the area during the early nineteenth century.

Drone over the El Paso Mountains...

Aerial footage of Mormon Flats, from April 4, 2014. 

Parrot AR Drone over the El Paso Mountains: https://youtu.be/KIShhxcQVSg

El Paso Mountains-drone footage...

After leaving Benson Gulch, we meandered toward the interior of the El Paso Mountain Range. 

With fifteen knot winds, I had to keep my Parrot AR  Drone at a relatively low altitude, and I couldn't let it get too far away.

The little aircraft just doesn't have the power to penetrate strong winds.  Nonetheless, I was able to obtain some footage of the outskirts of Mormon Flats. 

Just click on the link below:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/u4tl5vgkvx2t8o2/video_20140404_103909.mp4

See the attached screen image, too.

El Paso Mountains: Benson Gulch.

Evidence of recent mining:  The area is a favorite of weekend hobbyists, who come out with their metal-detectors and dry washers.

El Paso Mountains: Benson Gulch.

Benson Gulch was our first stop.  I'd rendezvoused with my friend Joe at approximately 8:00 AM, near Garlock Rd. 
Our plan was to enter the interior of the El Paso Range via Benson Gulch.

I refer the reader to the screen image from my phone's back country navigation application.

Mojave Desert: The obligatory Jeep photograph...

Photograph by Scott Schwartz.

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I was making my way through Goler Gulch (in the El Paso Mountains), when I took this photograph.

The reader can see that my Jeep Cherokee is completely stock.

I am more interested in exploring in my Jeep than I am in working on it, and I've found that the vehicle can take me almost anywhere without the need for any modifications.  Still, one has to be prudent; if there is any doubt whatsoever about the vehicle's or the driver's ability to negotiate a given trail, the driver should stop the vehicle, get out, and walk ahead.  The driver can then ascertain whether the trail, or section thereof, is within his or his vehicle's capabilities.

When in doubt, turn around, or check your map (you do DO carry a map of the area that you're exploring with you, don't you?) for alternate routes.  If there are none, enjoy where you are, take some photographs, and then head back.

That is what I have done here; those large rocks were a concern.  I checked the area on foot, and "plotted" my course after determining that the trail was passable.

Abandoned Homestead-Mojave Desert.

Photograph by Scott Schwartz.

Someone once made a home here.   His identity is lost to the mists of time.

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