Flying Over The Shadows In The El Paso Mountains...

Here's more footage of my beloved El Paso Mountains.  The drone's launching point wasn't far from Burro Schmidt's Tunnel, and its flight path took it south east.

Garlock Road and the Rand Mountains can be seen in the distance.

This will be my last post until July 5, 2018, as I am going out to explore the Cajon Pass area this evening, and I am taking some time off to relax.

I wish you all a happy, healthy, and safe July 4th, and I will talk to you all on July 5th!

Trail into the El Paso Mountains...

This is one of the many trails that take one in and out of the El Paso Mountains.  

The drone was facing north west, when this photo was taken, with Red Rock-Randsburg Road at the drone's "back."  

I have been exploring the El Paso Mountains since 1999, which was when I bought my first four-wheel drive vehicle.  The amazing thing, is that I discover new spots nearly every time I come here.

Cleghorn Study..

My fascination with the rough-country surrounding the 15 freeway in the Cajon Pass grows, each time I explore the area.

This is drone footage that begins down in a wash.  The drone then climbs out, giving a panoramic view of the Cleghorn Range (north-bound side of the 15 fwy.)

Note the birds that are flying in the vicinity of the drone, toward the end of the video.

I used a DJI Phantom 4 to shoot this video.

Sunset over the El Paso Mountains...

This image was taken in July, 2017.  As I have mentioned in previous posts, I take a "part-time" approach to desert photography during the summer months.  By that, I mean that I drive to my chosen spots during the early morning or in the late afternoon/early evening in order to avoid the intense heat. 

Cajon Pass- Drone flight through the Cleghorns...

Currently, I'm working on an article that covers the history of the Cajon Pass.  Most of my readers are probably aware that man has been traversing the area known as the Cajon Pass for hundreds of years. At least.

This video illustrates the ruggedness of the counrtry here, and one can imagine the difficulties encountered by the early pioneers - and those difficulties were not completely assuaged, by the early roads that were built here.

Goler Heights: El Paso Mountains, drone image.

This image was taken over Goler Heights, facing south west toward Garlock Road.  The distant hills are the Rand Mountains.  Drone image.  

May, 2018.

When the Cajon was green...

I filmed this in April, 2018, after the recent winter rains. 



This is a drone flight over the Cleghorn Range, in the Cajon Pass;  it serves as a reminder tha the desert is not always a barren land. 

Dark Chasm: Calico Mountains.

The Calico Mountains.  Known for its mining history, and a favorite spot for off-roaders and recreational shooters.  I too, have been known to plink at targets in this area. 

But, there is much natural beauty to be appreciate, as well.  Un-named gullies and crags abound here, as illustrated in this image that I shot with my drone.

Grove of Joshua Trees...

The advantage of rising early:  which is something that I rarely experience, as I'm not an early-morning person.  It's tough, actually, because the early morning light on a subject is truly a sight to behold.  Most of the time, I capture the afternoon "sweet light."

On the day that I took this photograph, I'd been camping with my wife and our niece near Joshua Tree National Park.  Camping is the best way to get me up early.  My wife and my niece were still snuggled in our tent back at the campsite, when I went into the park to shoot photos on this day.

From April, 2018.

El Paso Mountains unfolding...Mojave Desert...

Southern El Paso Mountains.  Saltdale (note the salt deposits) and Koehn Dry Lake can be seen in the distance. 



The drone was launched from a spot that was within 1/4 mile of Burro Schmidt Tunnel.

Crowder Canyon-Cajon Pass.

Formerly known as "Coyote Canyon," Crowder Canyon is one of the places where the Old Spanish Trail and the Mormon Road passed through the Cajon Pass.



Drone footage filmed on June 17, 2018. This was a nice way to spend my Sunday evening!!

Craggy Canyon: Calico Mountains...

I find these obscure canyons to be very interesting.  I wonder how often human feet have touched the ground here, throughout history.



Calico Mountains.

Cloud wave: El Paso Mountains...

I guess that I'm finally participating in "Throwback Thursday."  I took this photograph in 2009.  Since then, some of the off-road trails in the El Paso Mountains have been closed, but quite a few have been re-opened.  So, there's always something new to see, if one wishes to explore.  

People think that I'm crazy, but I frequent the Mojave even during the summer months.  I time my visits to coincide with the cooler parts of the day-early morning or late afternoon/evening.

Flying a camera over the desert...

El Paso Mountains:  Looking south east toward Red Rock-Randsburg Rd.

May, 2017.

Flying a drone can be fun, in and of itself.  To me, however, it is mainly a tool that enhances my photographic pursuits.  Highly automated, the drone enables me to, ah, "focus" on the photography!

Here, my old (I say "old", because I've had it for almost two years.  During this time, my drone has been superseded by two newer versions) DJI Phantom 4 was used to capture this image.  

Study of a faded trail: El Paso Mountains...

I took this photo in May, 2017.  For some reason, I find the apparently-disused trail that veers toward the top of the image fascinating.  I think that this image illustrates that the marks made by man take a long time to fade away.

El Paso Mountains.  DJI Phantom 4 drone image.

Trains and Cars: Cajon Pass...

I took a quick jaunt to the Cleghorn area in the Cajon Pass, where I shot this short video of a freight train coming through the Cajon Pass, parallel to the 15 Freeway.



June 10, 2018.

Forgotten Trail? Cajon Pass.

There appears to be an overgrown trail, in the right-hand side of the frame.

Could this have been one of the many pack-trails that were once used by freight wagons plying the Cajon Pass?

Calico Mountains Butte...

I filmed this in November of 2017. 



The Calico Mountains; historic mining area, and now a popular off-road/shooting area.  Yet, the stunning beauty of the rock formations and hills are not to be forgotten!

El Paso Mountains Panorama...

The trail in the foreground is the Bonanza Trail, which takes one through the area's historic gold mining district (high ground-clearance and 4WD are recommended.)



Black Mountain can be seen in the distance.



Your author has explored this area many times, over the years.  Feel free to see my older posts on this topic.

Mojave Desert Unfolding-El Paso Mountains...

I was standing in the south-eastern El Paso Mountains, when I filmed this footage. 



Garlock Road can be seen just beyond the hills in the foreground, and the Rand Mountains can be seen in the distance.



I used a DJI Phantom 4 drone to film this.

Mojave Desert; Goler life today...

I got down on my knees in order to photograph this little beauty at Goler Gulch.  Can anyone identify it? 

Mining Ruins: Benson Camp...

Ruins of Benson Camp.
El Paso Mountains.
May, 2018.

I've tried to research the history of this camp, but the most that I can come up with is that Benson himself was one of several prospectors who worked the area during the late 1800's.  Does anyone have any information, that he or she would like to share?