Northern part of Toano Mountains of Nevada Exploration February 17, 2013

                        Looking west toward the Pequop Mountains

Location: The area I am exploring is the northern part of the Toano Mountains north of the Shafter exit on Interstate 80 in eastern Nevada.

Nevada and I spent about three hours hiking along a ATV track because it was easier walking. In the pinyon pine and sagebrush there was 10 plus inches of snow on the ground making harder walking. During our hike we met two coyote hunters out for the day who were talkative.  Later on this spring I am going to climb the mountain in photograph number three. It appeared there was a relatively easy way to the top. Enjoy my photographs and remember Nevada is a beautiful state.

                                       Nevada in the snow

                      The mountain I want to climb later in the spring. You can see the band of green to the top

                          Nevada in eastern Nevada

                     Looking west toward the Pequop Mountains and Shafter Valley.

Atomic Testing Museum Las Vegas, Nevada February 9. 2013

 

                                      Timeline highlighting important events in the 50s

Location: The Atomic Testing Museum is located on East Flamingo Road at the Desert Research Institute (DRI). To get to the DRI turn off of Las Vegas Blvd near Tropicana Casino.

General Information: Admission is $14 for the museum and $6 more for the special Area 51 Exhibit. Military and Nevada residents get in for $11.This museum has alot of great information. To see everything I would allocate at least 2-3 hours at the location.

 Exhibits chronicle the develoment  and testing of the Atomic bomb in the United States and throughout the world. In the first part of the museum displays give information about the Cold War and the need to respond to the nuclear threat presented by the USSR. It continues with the development and detonation of the Atomic bomb in New Mexico code named Trinity. After the Trinity Test, the United States Government tested bombs in the Pacific at Bikini Atoll. The rest of the museum gives information on the development of the Nevada Test Site and the approximately 900 above and below ground tests conducted primarily at Yucca Flat and Frenchman Flat. The Area 51 special exhibit has some good information but I do not think it is worth the $6 admission. Museum curators spent way too much information on the UFO conspiracy in New Mexico as well as Groom Lake. (Some information from the Atomic Testing Website). In a later post I will give a comprehensive history of the Nevada Test Site.

                              Craters from underground test at Yucca Flat

                      Diagram showing an underground test in a mine at the Nevada Test Site

                     America's largest underground test was not in Nevada but in Alaska 

                                  Map showing nuclear detonations at the Nevada Test Site

                       Information on the different levels of nuclear waste; Yucca Flat has become a respository for low level waste

                                  Badge used at the Nevada Test Site

                                              Geiger instruments used to monitor radiation 

             An istrument used to take pictures and record scientfic information during an underground   detonation

Organized Crime and Mob Museum Las Vegas, Nevada February 9, 2013

                                 Information panel talking about the end of Prohibition

Location: The Organized Crime and Mob Museum is located at 300 Stewart Avenue in downtown Las Vegas at the old Court House. If driving from The Strip; take Las Vegas Blvd until you reach Stewart Avenue. This can be a long drive in traffic so stay patient. Turn left onto Stewart Avenue and the museum will be on the right. Parking is available next door for a fee however, free parking is available at the Farmer's Market lot.

General Information: Admission is $19.95 for the General Public, $15.95 for Seniors and Military and $10 for Nevada residents. This museum is very informative and I highly recommend allocating a significant amount of time to visiting it. Exhibits tell the story of the mob from its inception around Prohibition to present day. Visitors learn about such mobsters as Lucky Luciano, Al Capone, Bugsy Siegel, Whitey Bulger and many more. Exhibits also tell how law enforcement evolved their techniques to catch and prosecute mobsters through the use of undercover officers and informants. Finally, a large section is devoted to organized crime in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Some information from the Mob Museum website).

                                                    John Roselli information plaque

                        Alcohol Testing Kit and Evidence bottles from Prohibition era America

                                          Prohibition era liquor bottles

                                              A thematic map of early Las Vegas

                       Actual wall from the Valentine's Day Massacre which indirectly led to Capone's downfall

                                A "Tommy Gun." Popular weapon used by hitmen.

                               Performers at the Cotton Club

                                Interesting quote

                               Exhibit on early Vegas

                                   Handgun used by police forces 

Quintin and I at the museum

Randsburg, CA January 3, 2013

                                              Downtown Randsburg

Location: Randsburg is located between Ridgecreat and Kramer junction off of US 395. It is also 69 miles north of Victorville, California. I would suggest not visiting during the summer because daytime temperatures are well in the 100s. During the rest of the year this area is popular with off-road vehicle enthusiasts.

History: The boom began in 1895 when three prospectors discovered gold at the Rand Mine. Despite the heat and lack of water in the area some prospectors came.  However, over a year later in May of 1896 Rand Camp was still small with only three saloons and a boarding house. This would all change in the fall of 1896 when the cooler weather prompted people to arrive in droves. Stage coaches arrived three times a week with prospectors and their families hoping to strike it rich. Within a year builders had built houses, restaurants, a school, churches and post office.

The early camp was known for its general lawlessness. With so little water in the area and so many bars in town the alcohol flowed freely. This led to many skirmishes which resulted in fights, stabbings and murder. There were four murders in the fall of 1896. Later a group calling themelves the "Dirty Dozen" would become implicated with these murders as well as others that occured in Randsburg. Stories permeated western newspapers about the violence; ultimately slowing the development of the town. (Information from www.ghosttowns.com, www.randdesertmuseum.com and www.wikipedia).

                                           Stamp used at one of the mills used to process the ore

                                       Saloons were prevalent in Randsburg

                                    Old truck in town

                                    Antique shop in town

                                 City Jail

Bernardo Mountain Escondido, CA December 27, 2012

                          My dad on the trail; looking north near the summit

Trailhead and General Information: The trailhead for Bernardo Mountain is located off of I-15 south of Lake Hodges on Bernardo Drive in Escondido, California. Length is about 6.5 miles with 1000 feet of elevation gain. During the weekend the Lake Hodges area is popular with bikers so it is advisable to arrive early. Daytime temperatures during the summer are warm so bring a hat, sunscreen and water. An interesting backpacking trip would be to take the newly created coast to crest trail. This trail would take multiple days.

The hike: Leave the trailhead walking on the concrete path along Bernardo Drive. At the bottom of the hill cross Lake Hodges on the bridge to north side of the lake. After you cross the bridge turn left and hike along the north side of lake. At the San Dieguito River Park turn away from the lake and follow the trail to the backside of the mountain. From the San Dieguito River Park hikers or mountain bikes gain elevation quickly by switchbacks to  the top of the mountain. The view from the top of the mountain is very good and worth your effort. Flora in the area includes california scrub oak, eucalyptus, palms, poison oak; as well as many species of grasses. (Information from www.everytrail.com/viewtripphp?trip_id=949737).

             View toward I-15 (east) from the top of Bernardo Mountain

                             Beautiful picture looking northwest

                             Vegetation with surrounding mountains; very Mediterranean

Iron Mountain and Loop December 31, 2012

                                       Looking back toward the coast near Table Mountain

Trailhead and General Information: The trailhead for Iron Mountain and the loop starts at the Highway 67 Staging Area in Poway, California. This is a popular trailhead so get to the trailhead early. Most people hike Iron Mountain (a 6.4 mile round trip). Another popular hike is a loop on the Elie Lane Trail by Table Rock Mountain. This is an up and down trail with elevation gain and loss over 2000 feet and approximately 10 miles in length. During the summer temperatures are warm during the day so hike the trail only during the early morning or late afternoon and with plenty of water.

The hike: Today my dad and I are hiking the loop and climbing Iron Mountain. It will be approximately 10 miles with over 2000 feet of elevation and loss. Leave the trailhead. Take the first left and hike passed two ponds. After the second pond the trail joins the Ellie Lane trail. Stay right; hiking by Table Mountain. Near Table Mountain the trail climbs ravina to a pass overlooking Ramona and surrounding mountains.  Continue following the trail to the junction with the main Iron Mountain trail. If you want to climb from here to the top of Iron Mountain it is about one more mile. Flora for Iron Mountain includes Yarrow, Sagebrush, Coastlive Oak, California Scrub Oak, Eucalyptus. Information from: www.sandiegoreader.com, www.waynesworld.Palomar.edu/ironmt.htm 

                         My dad hiking on the Elie Lane trail

                  Rocky terrain near Iron Mountain

                     On top of Ramona Outlook looking east

                                  Looking south from the Ramona Overlook

                  Dad on top of Iron Mountain

                             Near the top of Iron Mountain

Looking south

The map of the Iron Mountain trails

Calico, California December 23, 2012

                                                   Antique shop in Calico, California

Directions and general information: Calico is located 13 miles east of Barstow, California, off of Interstate 15. It is a recreated ghost town. The Knott family purchased the townsite in 1950. By 1966 Calico had been restored to former glory. The same year, San Bernardino County brought the town creating a park. To enter it cost $7 for each adult and $3 for each child. Camping is available for $30 without hookups. In nearby mountains opportunities abound for mountain biking and off-road driving. There are two restaurants in town which offer breakfast, lunch and dinner at a modest price. The best attraction in town is the Maggie Mine tour at $3 per person.

History: In Spring of 1881 three prospectors pitched camp in the nearby mountains. On the fourth day they struck a big  silver ore vein. News quickly spread throughout the west and prospectors came rushing in. Within a year a townsite prospectors had built a town site with shops, saloons, and homes. Eastern Calico became the town's Chinatown.

Production was great for 16 years before declining because of the price of silver ore. From 1880 to 1896 the huge producers were the Silver King, Bismark, Waterloo and Occidental mines. They  produced over $86 million worth of silver. Solid rock formations in the surrounding made working conditions favorable where miners were able to tunnel without having to timber the sides and roof. The prosperity would not last  because the mines were linked to the price of their own product. In 1880 the price of silver was worth about $1.29 per ounce. By 1896 it had fallen to 53 cents when the mines closed and Calico dried up.(Information from Calico Ghost Town California's Greatest Silver Camp Copyright Knotts Berry Farm)      

                                     Recreated Blacksmith Shop

                                 Chruch in town

                                    Recreated Calico from above

                           Stone house in Calico town site

                                          Maggie Mining Company: today a tour
                   

                                 Cholla cactus

                                       Historic photo showing ore wagon being loaded

 

                                Tara in Maggie Mine

                             Headstone in cemetery

                                      Headstone in cemetery; this guy a Marine Corps