Decided to head up to Barstow/Lucerne area to get in some camping, watch a bit of racing and as always, explore. Drove out Friday night and found myself a solid camp site within a safe distance of the upcoming race in the morning. The M.O.R.E Shreddy/Gravel Kings 200 was going on and it’s always nice to be around some local racing every now and then. I do miss it and would love to eventually build another vehicle to compete in.

 

I only hung around for the first few hours then decided to cross over the 247 and go check out some new stuff. I’ve taken a route from Lucerne to Slash X countless times but it’s always been the same trail and have always noticed all the dirt roads branching off. I’ve known that the Ord Mountains are home to numerous mines and springs so the goal was to visit as much as I could, and plan something in the future to cover the spots I missed.

 

First stop was Foster Well.

 

A bit further down is the New Deal Mine. It appears as if it’s still being worked. Newer supplies, chain and padlock keep people from entering. I’d be stoked to have the opportunity to come out to a mine and be apart of working it. If anyone has a mine themselves or knows of something, let me know!

 

Drove around the hills and scoped out the area, which mostly seems to comprise of private property.

 

Made my way up to Goat Spring which provided a killer view of the valley below. Old water tank, outcroppings and concrete foundations which appear to have supported a stamping mill at one point are all within the vicinity. The spring itself had water and a completely fenced off structure was intriguing. Mine entrance or something to do with the spring?

 

Made my up past the radio site and down into the next canyon.

 

Next up was the Gold Belt Mine which features some massive foundations and numerous audits up the hillside. The property is comprised of 9 claims and operated during the period 1930 to 1932. The main audit is mostly filled in/collapsed and would require you to crawl in – maybe an adventure for another time.

 

Down the shelf road and decided to take a quick look at Taylor Spring and a mine that was just past it. The spring was dry, at least above ground but there must be moisture in the dirt with the amount of vegetation growing.

 

Off to the Joker Spring. Nice clear water here and even hosted a couple living fish that someone had obviously put in there.

 

There were a few more things I wanted to check out on the northern slopes as well as the eastern portion of the Ord Mountains. Originally I was going to make my way by working towards Ericksen dry lake bed, but the trail I had mapped out deteriorated a little too much for my own comfort level being alone. Not that it was bad and was totally doable, just one of those things about eliminating potential possibilities.

 

Backtracked a bit and headed up and over a small ridge where I eventually dropped onto the gas line road.

 

Gold Banner Mine

 

The Aztec Spring has some fascinating history attached to it – you can read about it here https://www.desertusa.com/ind1/william-edwin-smith.html.. Like mentioned on the page, I too often wonder of the people and the life they had to endure to chase their dream. And to think that those who were brave enough to venture into the unknown didn’t have a smartphone or GPS. There wasn’t a Home Depot nor a Stator Brothers down in town where they could pick up supplies. No comfy and capable vehicle to travel back in forth. It was all done with determination and a dream. So cool to see a glimpse into the past.

Aztec Spring

 

I would have loved to walk back and check out where the old cabin was, but there were some others hanging around a little too close for comfort that made me think twice about my decision…

 

Off to the East Ord Mountains….

 

There are quite a few old ranches and homesteads in this portion of the valley, and a equal amount of gates and signs of private property. Numerous sites that I wanted to check out where blocked off or gated. Bummer but understood.

 

Once on the east side, it was getting late. One more spot to check out prior to finding camp for the night. A couple vehicles up on the slopes of the mountain. How they got there? Who knows. What an adventure it must have been.

Original windshield in this ol’ steed. Might be time for a replacement.

 

The sun was starting to set and I was getting tired of driving all day. Relaxing for a bit sounded solid around a campfire with some music, food and cold beers. I made my way to a place that was familiar to post up for the night.

 

In the morning, quick breakfast, coffee and head back to Camp Road Rd to air up and make the trek back to San Diego. Still so much more to explore in this area! Let alone having backup and explore some of the mines.

The Adventure Continues…