Joshua Tree, California- Lost Horse Mine/TOPS Knives

B

bearthedog

Joined
May 17, 2006
Messages
4,290
So I got this itch to hit the desert for a quick overnight which would include a visit to Joshua Tree National Park, and a chance to take some gear out for a try. Night time was about 93F and daytime was about 98F. I have backpacked here before but never got a chance to hike the Lost Horse Mine Trail. It’s a hike up to this old abandon mine on top of a hill and not one single part of it was in the shade. Direct sunlight the entire way of the 4 mile hike, but some very beautiful vistas and desert landscape. I don’t know what it is about the desert but I’ve always been drawn to it!

IMG_9285.jpg


IMG_9472.jpg


After about 1 minute, I got this annoying piece of cactus stuck in my shoe. Did I mention these were brand new shoes? No way am I going to touch it. Let the knife do the work.

TOPS Travelin Man
IMG_9236.jpg



What I like the most about this place is the rock piles, to me that is Joshua Tree.
IMG_9291.jpg


IMG_9518.jpg


IMG_9489.jpg


IMG_9517.jpg


IMG_9487.jpg


IMG_9252.jpg


Skull Rock
IMG_9523.jpg



Gear
Adventure Medical Kits Bivy, Survival Kit.
TOPS Knives Nit Picker, Firestarter, Dog Tag Signal Mirror, Victorinox Hiker, 3 function whistle, LED light.
IMG_9458.jpg

TOPS Neck Knives- Sharp 1095!
IMG_9012.jpg
 
Views from the trail
IMG_9362.jpg


IMG_9318.jpg


IMG_9305.jpg


IMG_9332.jpg

A good example of new life after fire!
IMG_9326.jpg

View of Joshua Tree from up high
IMG_9371.jpg


Lost Horse Mine
IMG_9433.jpg


IMG_9396.jpg


IMG_9411.jpg


IMG_9404.jpg


IMG_9415.jpg


IMG_9434.jpg
 
Wow! These are beautiful photographs. I have never hiked in that kind of terrain. The contrast between the dirt / stone and vibrant blue sky is incredible.

Thanks for posting!

- Mike
 
awesome pics Reuben..:thumbup: i love Joshua Tree, not this time of year though.. it's way too hot and there's little to no shade...
 
Great pics, but I have to question your sanity going out there this time of year! We like to head out there, when it snows.

Not much left of the mine these days, except the stamp mill. When I was a kid and the road was still open to jeeps and dirt bikes, the shaft was still open and there were several tanks and out buildings, but over the years stuff got "salvaged", looted, or vandalized, and there isn't a whole lot left anymore...
 
Great pics! You like a sheik in Dubai in the first one :) I really like that area, the desert is a really special place. (You just have to bring plenty of water)
 
Zombie Zeke said:
Great pics, how did you like the knives?
Click to expand...

Great stuff as always from TOPS. I know a lot of people haven't fully accepted them as bush knives or hiking knives but they have so many models, you just have to look according to what your needs are. Who doesn't like handy little necker's made of 1095?

Mentor said:
Wow! These are beautiful photographs. I have never hiked in that kind of terrain. The contrast between the dirt / stone and vibrant blue sky is incredible.

Thanks for posting!

- Mike
Click to expand...

You are right, it is the contrast that I like about the desert. Flowers, rocks, trees, and if we are lucky there is water sometimes which adds another layer to the complex landscape!

HornyToad said:
Very nice pictures. No shade there and back! How much water did you bring along?
Click to expand...
I brought 2L with me on the hike and made sure I cameled up on a quart of Gatorade right as I left the trail head. I hike fast and the 4 miles dodn't take long so I was alright. The only shade was my turbin.

mtnfolk mike said:
awesome pics Reuben..:thumbup: i love Joshua Tree, not this time of year though.. it's way too hot and there's little to no shade...
Click to expand...
You are right, best time for me, no one in their right mind would go out there at this time so I have it all to myself.

reconranger said:
Great pics, but I have to question your sanity going out there this time of year! We like to head out there, when it snows.
Click to expand...

I like the scenery and like with everything else in life, you take the good with the bad. I love this place and as a hiker I know I just have to deal with it and prepare. I am kind of like a chameleon, I can adapt to ANYTHING!

tknife said:
Great pics! You like a sheik in Dubai in the first one :) I really like that area, the desert is a really special place. (You just have to bring plenty of water)
Click to expand...

This is what we wore when I was in Alexandria and Cairo Egypt. It just made sense!
This is me using what is called the "death grip." It keeps the camera a little more sready. so they say.
IMG_9495.jpg
 
Beautiful pictures as usual Reuben. Those stone formations are fascinating. I'm gonna have to drive out that way one day.
 
Grate pictures. ...but I can't stand the desert, I was born in 29 palm's on the marine corps base just down the road from there. but wen I lived there I wasn't into camping or bush craft, so I might actually enjoy the desert now, but there is nothing like the redwood cost in nor cal, that is my favorite place in the world.
 
Wow, very cool... I guess that is the first time I have ever seen a "Joshua Tree".

Learn something new every day.

Ski
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top