THE BUTTES OF MOJAVE DESERT- BLACK BUTTE AND THREE SISTERS

 After my fabulous birthday hike, the next day Sean and I wanted to explore some of the Buttes in the area. We decided on Black Butte. A short but sweet, steep hike along a firebreak. 

The road is a little rough. The area is very popular for shooting guns and there is so much trash in the area. 

However, the climb up to Black Butte was very interesting. Black rocks and other colorful rocks are found along the entire route up to the summit. Maybe that is how it got its name Black Butte as Black rock is the main color at the top. 

Anyways, we found two benchmarks that were really damaged but we managed to read the words Black Butte dated 1932. 

I found two registers. One was placed by the Sierra Desert Peaks section dated 2006.

After a few snacks and drinking 805 beers, we descended the way we came and headed back to the car fir the drive towards Three Sisters. 

We drove a short distance and parked at the base of the Three sisters. We decided on bagging the biggest Sister in hopes to finding another benchmark. 

The climb is very steep, rocky and a bit treacherous depending on the side you ascend. One has to just choose the best route and negotiate.

Once we reached the the high point we searched for the USGS benchmark. Someone had removed it and we only found two small county ones. I found the register left by the Sierra Desert peaks section dated 2006.

We took our summit selfies and enjoyed the views before descending on a much easier path back to the car. 

                     BLACK BUTTE

THREE SISTERS

MISSING BENCHMARK

BARBER PEAK MY BIRTHDAY HIKE

 Sean picked me up at 4am on Sunday and we were on our way to Mojave National Preserve. I was so excited because I love hiking in the desert. 

We arrived at the Ranger Station and I was pleasantly surprised by Jeff who showed up for my birthday hike. He made us some hot chocolate and then we were on our way.

I chose to do the Barber peak the traditional way but Sean had other plans for me and it turned out to be a bad-ass, cross-country, rock scrambling adventure up to the peak. 

We started out on the Rings Loop trail. We found some cool Petroglyphs along the trail. After walking a short distance we went off trail. 

Barber peak is a horse-shoe shaped mountain. We had to cross some gullies then hiked up a steep slope toward the South Ridge. This entire area is quite beautiful with so many options for rock scrambling.

There were lots of rock cliffs and cool caves along the way. We found a huge cave and took a break as we admired the scenery. After some more climbing we finally reached the ridge top. The rock formations were spectacular! 

At the top of the ridge we found a huge rock formation that we had to climb over to get to the base of the peak. 

For me this was one of the coolest rock scrambling to negotiate. Although it was a class 2 parts of it were Class 3 that were difficult. 

After the excitement of reaching a flat part of the trail we found another cool little cave just below the summit. 

Finally, we arrived at the Baker Peak! We found three benchmarks but no register.

Sean and Jeff sang Happy Birthday to me and I enjoyed my cupcakes. 

After a soaking in the views we descended the steep ridge on the North side of the summit. Again more breath taking views. We re-joined the Hole in the Wall trail where we found more cool rock formations. 

We never saw wildlife which was a bit disappointing but this hike made up for it and is now one of my top ten bad ass hikes.

MONROVIA AND RANKIN PEAKS

 I was able to get a permit and the combination to the locked gate for the Rincon Road Shortcut from the Glendora Ranger Station. My plan was to bag Monrovia, Rankin and Clamshell which have been on my to do list. Unfortunately, we did not complete all three peaks. 

My friend and I got a late start on a Sunday afternoon. I knew these would be short hikes so time wasn't a big concern. The cool thing was we were able to drive many miles to the base of Monrovia peak and save alot of time and miles trekking on the forest road.

After opening the gate we had only driven a short distance when we were stopped by a sheriff who asked us if we were hunting. He said to watch the road because there were lots of trucks up there as it was the last day of deer hunting season. We didn't know this ahead of time and just decided to go this past Sunday. 

Well he was right! As we were driving up the road, I counted 20 trucks that passed us by. It was crazy we had to keep pulling over. 
 
Anyways we finally arrived at the pullout just below the Monrovia firebreak after driving 10.5 miles. 
 
After climbing the steep firebreak with its false bumps along the way we finally reached the summit. By the way, lots of poodle dog but it can be avoided. 
 
The views were fantastic. We could see the Channel Islands. We signed the register & left some Eispiraten swag at the peak. 
 
After summit selfies, we set out for Rankin. Not much to see except the views and the plaque dedicated to Reverent Rankin. We took the obligatory selfies and returned the way we came. 

We attempted to climb Clamshell by driving further up the road. We parked at the Spring Camp turnout and walked the road a bit but sunset was approaching fast so we just called it a day.

I will return soon because my permit is still good till December.

MONTE CRISTO MINE

II had received a personal invitation for a tour of the Monte Cristo Mine from Lars the current owner. 

Last Saturday me, Ed, Jeff, Dima & Matt met Lars at the locked gate by the Monte Cristo campground. 
 
We followed him in two cars. I've walked this road many times but driving on it was quite a different experience. I was in my friends Jeep and it was so much fun. 
 
We drove past the fork in the road that leads up to Rabbit peak. Finally, we arrived at the entrance to the private property where Lars resides in a trailer a few days a week. He has a care taker that guards the area and carries a gun. 
 
Anyways, Lars was a very gracious host. He showed us everything on his property. He explained how his mining operation worked. He shared information on how he samples certain types of rocks to find Gold and some of his secrets on chemicals/solutions used in the process. He also showed us his secret small lab (that's what I call it) where he actually had a crucible and glass beakers. 
 
He had old equipment & other interesting things. 
 
After the lecture/stories on mining operations we hiked up the road to the entrance of the mine. 
 
It was really cool to get a personal tour that we all enjoyed. Lars is both an Engineer and Chemist and maybe even a geologist. I just think he was very knowledgeable. A pretty smart man. 
 
After the tour we hiked up to the top of the mine. 
 
Lars also shared info on other mines in the area like the Spanish Mine, Mariposa Mine and if course the Black Cargo mine. 
 
After more shared stories and conversations he showed us his dynamite storage stash hidden off trail. 
 
Overall, a great day spending a few hours with Lars.