A Full Day

Stop #1 - Salt Creek, an ACEC (Area of Critical Environmental Concern). Part of the Old Spanish Trail, a blacksmith shop was located at this site. The Amargosa River comes to the surface here which provided the necessary water. The Athel trees provide a shady shelter from the heat of day. Of course that isn't a problem for us in December. Stop #2

Saratoga Spring in Death Valley National Park - surely a land of diversity. We had no idea when parking that this would be our view at the top of the small hill. Past mining activity is evident center right.Desert HollyJim inspecting the remains of an old cabin. This one and another similar may date over 100 years to the 20-mule team borax period.

Prehistoric man lived here from 1-1100AD in relatively large numbers.

The next stop ....

Ibex Spring - This was the location of a large mining camp during the talc mining boom.I've found no information on the actual size of this camp but the number of buildings leads one to believe it was extensive. Another good site for a picnic lunch.....

Ibex Mill - In 1883 a mill was set up to process silver ore. After 8 years the ore ran out and the mill was shut down. A new boom in the early 1800's brought renewed interest but that one also went bust. In the 1930's the demand for talc, a major ingredient of ceramic tile which was gaining popularity, brought the reopening of the mine. Extensive talc deposits were found in the Ibex Hills. This mine lasted from from 1940 to the 1970s and was the area's biggest producer.

This wasn't a big deal to drive but was fun and made for a good photo op.

The last adventure of the day - definitely tense at times but beautiful too.

Note the switchback above the two vehicles and it kept going up and up....

The uppermost part of the drive back down after the track ended. It was getting late.