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The Surprise
I replied to Steve’s inquiry with an email. Steve was in on the surprise we had planned for his wife, Deb. I wrote this, “If I’m able to drive safety to the store this morning, we’ll buy groceries for the trip, and leave in the morning.”
Our friends, the rubberlegs (Deb & Steve), had been on the road for a couple weeks. Deb had several speaking engagements and then they planned a week in Death Valley. The surprise was that we’d join them and then attend Deb’s talk on March 1st at the Shoshone Museum. We’d surprised Deb (and Steve that time) before by attending her talk at the Shoshone Museum in April 2024.
The only one reason we returned home from our last trip, was we each had an initial appointment with a new primary care physician. Our long-time doc, who famously wrote the Lady a prescription to leave and go on an adventure, wrote himself a prescription (for many of the same reasons) and retired. The new doc’s first action with me was to switch to a different hypertension drug. I had severe reactions to the new drug, life threatening reactions. Back on the old medication, I was surprised how long it was taking me to recover. I’m a strong, healthy young fellow. I should have been back to 100% in a day. Damn right. Damn wrong.
I passed the driving test, we bought groceries, loaded up the truck and camper, and left at dawn the next morning. It was a long drive to Saratoga Springs on the south end of Death Valley National Park. We arrived at 1730 hrs. as the sun set. Deb was surprised and we were thrilled to see them. Since we first met them, we’ve spent many days together in the backcountry. They are very skilled outdoor people.
“How are you doing today?” Steve asked me early the next morning. “From one to ten and ten being your best, where are you?”
“Six,” I answered.
We had a good day of exploration ahead of us.
Packs, boots, and we were all ready to go. Our first stop was Saratoga Springs.
Except something distracted us before we got there, petroglyphs very high up on a ridge.
This was a great find that Deb and Steve had spotted the previous day.
We continued on. One vehicle was parked at the Saratoga Springs trailhead proving, once again, the most frightening thing in the backcountry is humans, especially dangerously deranged, pathetically stupid humans.
We enjoyed exploring around the springs – old roads, a past archeological dig site, herons and egrets.
This area, in the first half of the 20th century, was mined for talc. We continued on to check out the old mines. Below the Saratoga Mine, we found a mining dump – cans, bottles, and such – and among those items was an obvious mano – a grinding stone used by indigenous people. It fit my hand perfectly.
We climbed into a side canyon and up to the extensive Saratoga Mine. Mining sites can be dated by the quality of the concrete used for footings and foundations. The Lady administered her own test.
Everyone got into checking out the concrete.
When the mines were operating, there was a system of service roads. Little remains but for a forgotten gate here and there.
It was a climb up to the White Cap Mine. The road was washed out in many places. The vistas were vast and seemingly endless.
It’s quite a climb from the White Cap up to the Superior Mine that sits at the crest of the mountain range.
We climbed down the opposite side of the range and circled back around to our camp. It was a wonderful day and around a nine-mile hike.
The Lady and I were up before dawn. Two ravens dropped down to say hello. The Lady told them, “You’ll have no luck here!”
They waited outside our neighbor’s camper.
I wandered out on the playa, waiting for the sun.
This day’s hike was over to the Ibex Dunes and the several small talc mines beyond.
During World War Two, this area was used for aerial target practice. Finding fifty caliber shell casings and clips are common.
Steve and I followed the girls who did a great job working the varied terrain.
Old claim posts still stand.
Deb made a bee line over to the other prospects. These two wanted to throw in an Ibex Dune summit on the way.
Up one side and down the other.
A radio call from Deb said she had found treasure. We joined her.
The Lady led the way to the top and to several mine shafts.
We headed back mid afternoon.
Half way between the dunes and camp we came upon a monumented section corner, part of the Public Land Survey System.
If you know how to understand the inscribed information, you can pinpoint your location on a USGS 7.5 topographic map. Hint: land survey lines, section numbers, township info are in red.
Deb & Steve suggested we walk over to Saratoga Springs for the late afternoon light. It was a great suggestion.
We moved to a new location the next day.
Our adventure continues. Please click here for Part Two.
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