joshua tree - day 2
This post is part 3 of the "joshua_tree-2007" series:
We started off the day with a stop at the site of the Queen Valley Mine. This was a profitable gold mine, although all that remains today are several sealed mine tunnels, the foundation of a stone cabin, a bed frame, and some random metal scraps.
Next, we drove a few miles west to the gate of Keyes Ranch. We spent the next 2 hours on a very detailed tour of the ranch, which was inhabited from 1908 through 1968 by the Keyes family. I found the tour to be really interesting, if a bit lengthy. David was somewhat antsy, but overall, well behaved.
Afterwards, we drove down the road a few miles to explore the Barker Dam. Supposedly, it actually holds back a decent amount of water in the spring, but was completely dry today. One really cool thing on the hike back from the damn was a rock with ancient petroglyphs.
We finished off the afternoon with a drive down to Keyes View, the overlook above the Coechella Valley. The sad reality, is that the view is largely obscured by smog from the valley below, as well as from as far away as Los Angeles.
This post is part 3 of the "joshua_tree-2007" series: