Climbing Above Goler Gulch...

 My drone climbs out of Goler Gulch.  Goler Gulch is named for prospector John Goler, who claimed to have discovered gold here in 1849.  He supposedly left his rifle to mark the spot...

Colorful Ruins...

 The El Paso Mountains are dotted with old cabins.  Some have been so well-preserved, that they are used by campers to this day.  Others are not in such good shape.  What intrigues me about this ruin, are the reddish/orange tile fragments that are scattered about.  

The Varied Terrain Of The El Paso Mountains...

 This photo illustrates the different types of terrain encountered in the El Paso Mountains.  I took this photo while up in the hills, near Burro Schmidt Tunnel, facing north west.  

Note the Yuccas in the foreground, which give way to the barren area in the middle of the photo.  Further in the distance, volcanic rock can be seen.  Looking even further, sedimentary layers are visible!

Santa Barbara In Randsburg...

 This is the Church of Santa Barbara, which is located in Randsburg, CA. Notice how the church is leaning toward the right.  That is not an illusion; guy wires are used to keep the structure from toppling over.  

The Church of Santa Barbara is the second Catholic church to be built in Randsburg.  The first one was built in 1897, but was a casualty of one of the big fires that immolated much of the town in 1898.  

Until a new church could be built, Mass was said at the Miner's Hall; the  Church  Of Santa Barbara was built in 1904 at a cost of $1000.  Although not in regular use today, the Church of Santa Barbara is considered to be the Mother Church to the Parish of St. Ann in Ridgecrest.

Bighorn Sheep...

Surrounded by the San Gorgonio Wilderness, the 2,581-acre Whitewater Preserve is home to Bighorn Sheep.  

My wife and I spotted these guys on a ledge, while we were hiking in the Preserve last weekend.  I used my Nikon D-7200 with a 300mm telephoto lens, to capture these images.

 

Whitewater River Preserve...

A nice Sunday drive;  the Whitewater Preserve is about an hour's drive from my home.  These images were taken along the relatively easy hiking trail through the Preserve.  

 

El Paso Mountains In The Late Afternoon Light...

                                                  Drone image, looking northward.  

Bickel Camp Juxtaposition...

 Walt Bickel was a prospector who lived at this site for decades.  What fascinates me most about this scene, is the shovel that is casually leaning against the antique car.  Did Walt leave that shovel there, in preparation for a task he never completed? 

    I can't help but be fascinated by this rock formation that is so close to my home.  How many people, while whizzing along the 15 Freeway, are aware of how treacherous the journey through here was, during the 19th century?

El Paso Mountains...

     I came across these sheep grazing, during a 2015 trip to the El Paso Mountains.  Not shown in the photo is the shepherd, who was watching over this flock.  Further down the trail, I saw the shepherd's water truck and tent.  

Swarthout Canyon...

                                     Swarthout Canyon,  drone's-eye view.  

The Swarthouts were Mormon pioneers, who homesteaded the area during the 1850's.  I hope to provide a more detailed account in the future.  

                                   

 

The El Paso Mountains: Why?

 Occasionally, I'm asked what sparked my interest in the El Paso Mountains.  My interest the El Paso Mountains is the result of my nearly life-long love of the Mojave Desert, and my reading of any books that I could find on the topic.  

During the late 1990's, a good friend gave a copy of Russ Leadabrand's  "A Guidebook to the Mojave Desert of California Including Death Valley, Joshua Tree National Monument, and the Antelope Valley" to me. 

Leadabrand was a writer/historian, who, aside from writing for several magazines, wrote a series of guidebooks covering California outdoor areas.  

My friend purchased "A Guidebook to the Mojave Desert..." at a used book store, and Leadbrand's folksy, and at times, haunting description of "vanished" mining settlements got me hooked.  After locating the area on an AAA map, I packed my Jeep Cherokee with water, provisions, and my camera equipment.  

That was the first of my many trips to the El Paso Mountains, and, to this day, I spend time there, regularly.  It seems as though I'm always coming across new areas to explore, and my drone provides me with new perspectives on areas that I've already been to.  

As for Leadabrand's books, I think that anyone with an interest s California history, should try to acquire his books.  Leadabrand's works cover outdoor recreation areas throughout the whole state, not just the desert.  

Since the majority of Leadabrand's books were published during the 1960's, you will not be able to rely on them for current road and trail information.  But, they provide fascinating background and historical information that will enhance the enjoyment of any visit to California's scenic areas.