My love for California's Mojave Desert exposed!
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Bismarck Mine...
www.elpasomountains.blogspot.com
More about those tin cans...
It is believed that "Tin Can Alley" was the refuse dump used by the Pacific Coast Borax Co., which operated here from 1888 to 1907.
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
In Search Of The Bismarck Mine..
A few of the prospect holes that were dug at the Bismarck Mine during the 1880's.
In Search Of The Bismarck Mine..
A man by the name of John Daggett owned the Bismarck Mine. During the Calico area's silver boom, Daggett had built one of the first silver ore mills in the vicinity.
Silver was discovered here in 1882, with the Bismarck Mine operating until around 1892. The processed ore was shipped out via the ubiquitous mule teams, but the mail was brought into the camp on the back of a German Shepherd dog (for a time, anyway).
The silver ore was generally close to the surface, the veins followed no particular pattern. The miners simply dug holes-the site is full of them- and followed the ore wherever it led them.
After only ten years, the Bismarck Mine was played out.
Today, only the pockmarked hills remain.
Friday, May 23, 2014
Thursday, May 22, 2014
In Search Of The Bismarck Mine...
Even a wrong turn can yield some interesting sights.
These layers of sedimentary rock indicate that this area was once under water.
In Search Of The Bismarck Mine...
Even with the Back Country Navigation phone application in use, it's possible to make a wrong turn. That's what we did here.
Shortly after turning off from Mule Canyon Rd., the trail became impassable. Here, Joe, who has the more capable vehicle (larger tires and more ground clearance) is returning from his scouting mission to give me the bad news.
There's no shame in straying off course. But, if there is any doubt about one's ability to handle a trail, don't press on! Try to find another route, or turn back.
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
In Search Of The Bismarck Mine....
My friend Joe descends a steep hill, on the way to the Bismarck Mine.
Readers will notice that the surface of the trail is relatively smooth. Nonetheless, four wheel drive in low-range is needed here.
Low-range makes it much easier to control the speed of the vehicle (the watch word is "slow") with minimal skidding and application of the brakes.
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Mojave Desert: In Search Of The Bismarck Mine...
This is how you know that you are in mining country. These cans date back to the late nineteenth century. Essentially, this was a mining operations trash dump.
This particular dump is known as "Tin Can Alley."
Monday, May 19, 2014
Mojave Desert: Looking for the Bismarck Mine..
The exotic part of our trip began as we entered Mule Canyon.
Mule Canyon is named for the mule teams that once hauled borax to the railroad station in Daggett.
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Friday, May 16, 2014
Don't Damage Your 4WD Vehicle.....
A "part-time" four wheel drive system is just that. It is only meant to be used during "part" of the time that you spend driving your four wheel drive vehicle- namely the parts of your trips that are spent on loose, gravelly, or sandy road surfaces.
Why is that? Once you engage four-wheel drive, there is now a solid connection between your vehicle's front and rear axles. The problem is that when you turn your front wheels, the front and rear wheels turn at different speeds. When driving on a surface that allows the front wheels to "slip" when turned- such as the aforementioned gravelly road, this "slippage"absorbs the stress that is placed on the drive line components. On the other hand, there is no slippage on a paved road, even a wet one. Using your part-time four wheel drive on a paved road means that something has to give. And that "something" will probably be the transfer case gear that breaks, resulting in an expensive repair.
The attached video doesn't have much to do with the article; I just thought readers might enjoy it.
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Desert WiIdflower: Coso Range...
A subtle treasure in the wilderness. Here, I used a larger aperture, so that the background is blurred. When photographing close-ups of flowers, the background can be a distraction.
Remember, the smaller the number, the wider the aperture.
The settings used in this photograph were: 1/500th sec. at f.7.1.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Mojave Desert Photography: Valley of the Joshuas....
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| Nikion D70. 1/100th sec. @ f.18. |
Don't be a lazy, "snapshot" photographer. If you have a single-lens-reflex camera, stop your vehicle, get out of it, and take the time to compose your photographs.
Monday, May 12, 2014
Mojave Desert Photography.....
Ever since I stopped shooting weddings, the only setting I ever use on my camera is "Aperture Priority."
The photograph on the right demonstrates the depth of field that is achieved when using a small aperture.
My aperture was set at f.18, and the camera selected a shutter speed of 1/160th of a second.
Notice that the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the distance are in fairly sharp focus.
Understanding depth of field is an absolute necessity if one is to progress beyond the "point and shoot" level of photographic skill.
Thursday, May 8, 2014
More Coso Mountains photography...
Deep in the heart of the Coso Mountain Range, I shot this photograph with my Nikon D70.
1/200th sec. @ f.13.
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Four Wheel Drive Exploration in the Coso Mountains...
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| Photograph by Scott Schwartz. Camera: Nikon D70, 1/125th sec. at f.18. |
Lying on the east side of the Owens Valley is the Coso Mountain Range.
Trails meander all through the area, as prospectors have been searching for minerals here for over a century.
Most of the trails here are accessible with unmodified four-wheel drive vehicles. Of course, it is the individual driver's responsibility to determine whether he (or she) or his (or her) vehicle is suitable for travel in any of the areas that I discuss.
Monday, May 5, 2014
Mysterious Rock Drawings in the Coso Wilderness..
All photographs by Scott Schwartz.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Two Jeeps In The El Paso Mountains...
Into parts unknown...
The new Wranger in the foreground belongs to my friend Joe; this was his first off-road trip in his new Jeep. Note brooding Black Mountain in the distance.
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