OK, here we go; I've been looking forward to this hike over the hill into the Bighorn Basin area of the Granite Mountains The old road to the mine is in a Wilderness area, so motor vehicles and bicycles are prohibited. Where they exist, these closed roads serve as excellent hiking trails. Date: April 27, 2008, 13h28 The old road to the mine is in a Wilderness area, so motor vehicles and bicycles are prohibited. Where they exist, these closed roads serve as excellent hiking trails.
A few desert dudleya grow in the rocks along the old road I like these subtly colourful succulents and have a few in my garden of other species. Date: April 27, 2008, 13h35 I like these subtly colourful succulents and have a few in my garden of other species.
The old road crosses the dry creek here in the grasses and then begins its ascent up the hillside Vegetation is now growing in the old road, which is still visible in the centre-left if you look closely. Date: April 27, 2008, 13h35 Vegetation is now growing in the old road, which is still visible in the centre-left if you look closely.
Today, some moisture, mud and algae remain in the otherwise-dry creek at North Coyote Springs When I was here during my Xmas 2007 trip, this stream was flowing with fresh water. I thought that this was Coyote Springs, unaware that the real Coyote Springs is a little further up the road. Date: April 27, 2008, 13h36 When I was here during my Xmas 2007 trip, this stream was flowing with fresh water. I thought that this was Coyote Springs, unaware that the real Coyote Springs is a little further up the road.
The road rises steeply up from the North Coyote Springs creek; I look behind me to see how much I've risen in such a short time A little bit of heart-pounding after hiking up this steep incline... The lower part of the road on the other side of the creek that leads back to my campsite is visible down at the centre-left in the photo. Date: April 27, 2008, 13h45 A little bit of heart-pounding after hiking up this steep incline... The lower part of the road on the other side of the creek that leads back to my campsite is visible down at the centre-left in the photo.

Today's destination is somewhere to the right of the front of the mountains in the background.
After another steep switchback and a bit more climbing, the views get even better My campsite is down at the bottom of this view, somewhere to the left of my hat. Date: April 27, 2008, 13h52 My campsite is down at the bottom of this view, somewhere to the left of my hat.
The steepest part of the climb is over for now and the old road switchbacks gently around the crest of the hill on a ledge It's a steep drop off the ledge on the left side here. Date: April 27, 2008, 13h53 It's a steep drop off the ledge on the left side here.
Flowers growing in the middle of the old road Orange desert mallow and blue Mojave aster. Date: April 27, 2008, 13h56 Orange desert mallow and blue Mojave aster.
I reach the summit of the old road at "Hill 1114" The road that I just ascended from North Coyote Springs arrives from the left, while the road leaving at the right drops down into Devil's Playground Wash. All routes lead downward from here, so I take a short break up here to absorb the wonderful views. Date: April 27, 2008, 14h12 The road that I just ascended from North Coyote Springs arrives from the left, while the road leaving at the right drops down into Devil's Playground Wash, the next segment of today's hike.

All routes lead downward from here, so I take a short break up here to absorb the wonderful views.
From Hill 1114, I get my last glimpse of the Providence Mountains before I head down into Devil's Playground Wash My campsite is down there somewhere in front of that boulder pile in the centre of the photo. Date: April 27, 2008, 14h06 My campsite is down there somewhere in front of that boulder pile in the centre of the photo.
Hill 1114 also offers an excellent view of the Kelso Dunes from above I haven't seen Kelso Dunes from this vantage point before. Date: April 27, 2008, 14h12 I haven't seen Kelso Dunes from this vantage point before.
I get my first view down into the gorge of Devil's Playground Wash and the old mining road that rises up the other side I feel like I'm entering a secret world where nobody goes as I begin the steep hike down the switchbacks to the bottom of Devil's Playground Wash. The road drops 375 feet in just over 1/3 mile. Date: April 27, 2008, 14h11 I feel like I'm entering a secret world where nobody goes as I begin the steep hike down the switchbacks to the bottom of Devil's Playground Wash. The road drops 375 feet in just over 1/3 mile.

Part of the old descending road is visible on the left.
On the way down, but still up high, I pass a mine tunnel that's not indicated on my map Painted on the rock near the tunnel entrance is a word that looks like "Hen." Date: April 27, 2008, 14h25 Painted on the rock near the tunnel entrance is a word that looks like "Hen."
I continue walking down the middle of the old road, which is almost invisible in places Devil's Playground Wash below drains into the area of the Kelso Dunes beyond. Date: April 27, 2008, 14h28 Devil's Playground Wash below drains into the area of the Kelso Dunes beyond.
I arrive at the bottom of the hill in Devil's Playground Wash and look for the road rising up the other side For a few hundred feet, the old road apparently went down the wash before rising up the other side, but there's no longer any trace of it here. Date: April 27, 2008, 14h34 For a few hundred feet, the old road apparently went down the wash before rising up the other side, but there's no longer any trace of it here.
One very small pool of water remains between some rocks in Devil's Playground Wash right now; it's otherwise dry down here Apparently, a lot of water (and rocks) from the mountains runs down this wash during the wetter months. This must have hindered access to the old mine up on the mountainside. Date: April 27, 2008, 14h35 Apparently, a lot of water (and rocks) from the mountains runs down this wash during the wetter months. This must have hindered access to the old mine up on the mountainside.
I walk down the wash a little and locate the old road rising up the hill The lower part of the road here is quite steep, but it was presumably the best route the miners could carve out of such rugged surroundings. Date: April 27, 2008, 14h36 The lower part of the road here is quite steep, but it was presumably the best route the miners could carve out of such rugged surroundings.
As I climb up the other side, I look over to the hill that I just descended The old road passing over the tailings pile and then zigzagging down the hill is very difficult to discern from here because it's so eroded and grown-in. Date: April 27, 2008, 14h39 The old road passing over the tailings pile and then zigzagging down the hill is very difficult to discern from here because it's so eroded and grown-in.
Splashes of colour begin to appear as I get a little higher Pink cactus, orange desert mallow and yellow encelia are fairly common in this area. Date: April 27, 2008, 14h40 Pink cactus, orange desert mallow and yellow encelia are fairly common in this area.
The highly eroded road gets confusing to follow in a few spots Here, the road rises and winds to the right part way up the hill. Date: April 27, 2008, 14h50 Here, the road rises and winds to the right part way up the hill.
I stop for a break and a Clif bar on a small flat area to take in the view of the Kelso Dunes that has been behind me It's so peaceful and quiet here. It doesn't appear that this area gets visited often. Date: April 27, 2008, 15h04 It's so peaceful and quiet here. It doesn't appear that this area gets visited often.
I notice a scattering of scat just behind me Even though I don't see many signs of humans up here, someone obviously comes here often. Date: April 27, 2008, 15h09 Even though I don't see many signs of humans up here, someone obviously comes here often.
Other splashes of colour are provided by the fairly abundant phacelia flowers in the area One could have fun here photographing the various flower colours in the area alongside each other in different combinations. All the colours of the rainbow are represented up here. Date: April 27, 2008, 15h18 One could have fun here photographing the various flower colours in the area alongside each other in different combinations. All the colours of the rainbow are represented up here.
I come around a bend and it looks like the road will end at the mine tunnel and tailings pile ahead Then I notice that the road seems to go beyond and switchback up to a higher ledge straight ahead. Date: April 27, 2008, 15h21 Then I notice that the road seems to go beyond and switchback up to a higher ledge straight ahead.
Approaching the tunnel at the Bighorn Basin Mine It seems that they used the tailings from the mine to construct this flat area that I'm standing on. Date: April 27, 2008, 15h24 It seems that they used the tailings from the mine to construct this flat area that I'm standing on.
An old track leads into the Bighorn Mine tunnel I'm not going in any further than this... Date: April 27, 2008, 15h26 I'm not going in any further than this...
A rock at the entrance to the mine is painted with "Merle Young 74" I know nothing about this mine, when it was last used (1974?), nor its name (maybe I should be calling it the Merle Young Mine?) Date: April 27, 2008, 15h27 I know nothing about this mine, when it was last used (1974?), nor its name (maybe I should be calling it the Merle Young Mine?)
Outside the tunnel entrance on the flat area composed of tailings sits a big tank of some kind The site is high enough to have views over the ridgetops beyond Devil's Playground Wash with Providence Mountains in the background. Date: April 27, 2008, 15h25 The site is high enough to have views over the ridgetops beyond Devil's Playground Wash with Providence Mountains in the background.
I see the remains of something up on the hill above the tunnel, perhaps an old roof It's time to go for a short walk up that hill. Date: April 27, 2008, 15h28 It's time to go for a short walk up that hill.
The views were already great, but now I'm way above the main mine road below as I climb the switchback to the upper area Gee, I can almost see to where my tent is at the base of the other side of the near hills, I think. Date: April 27, 2008, 15h31 Gee, I can almost see to where my tent is at the base of the other side of the near hills, I think.
Debris from an old collapsed cabin, including its refrigerator, sits at the top of the road at Bighorn Basin Mine As is the case with many old desert mines, getting supplies and equipment to a location as isolated as this must have been a lot of work! Date: April 27, 2008, 15h33 As is the case with many old desert mines, getting supplies and equipment to a location as isolated as this must have been a lot of work!
Near the collapsed cabin is a platform in front of another tunnel, which happens to be right above the lower one An old rusty bed frame sits on the platform. Date: April 27, 2008, 15h35 An old rusty bed frame sits on the platform.
Entrance to the upper tunnel at the Bighorn Basin mine The timbers look to be in pretty good condition. Date: April 27, 2008, 15h37 The timbers look to be in pretty good condition.
Just inside the upper mine tunnel is another signature from "Merle Young 74" Perhaps this is just graffiti and has nothing to do with the mine... Date: April 27, 2008, 15h38 Perhaps this is just graffiti and has nothing to do with the mine...
The upper tunnel isn't carved very deeply into the hillside It leads to a shaft with a ladder that presumably drops down to the lower tunnel; I didn't check to see where it goes. Date: April 27, 2008, 15h38 It leads to a shaft with a ladder that presumably drops down to the lower tunnel; I didn't check to see where it goes.
One of the support beams in the ceiling of the upper tunnel has cracked Most of the surrounding wood framing looks fairly stable at first glance, however. Date: April 27, 2008, 15h38 Most of the surrounding wood framing looks fairly stable at first glance, however.
I sit down for a break on a boulder just beyond the upper Bighorn Basin mine and take in the visuals at about 3875 feet I feel like I could sit here for hours and just stare out into the silent openness around me. But what I'd really like to do is continue exploring this area beyond road's end here. Date: April 27, 2008, 15h48 I feel like I could sit here for hours and just stare out into the silent openness around me. But what I'd really like to do is continue exploring this area beyond road's end here.
While sitting here, I ponder the view to my right further up Devil's Playground Wash in Bighorn Basin A spring on my map (possibly dry right now) a couple of miles up the wash in the left fork would make a good target for further hiking through these appealing hills if I had more time today. Date: April 27, 2008, 15h48 A spring on my map (possibly dry right now) a couple of miles up the wash in the left fork would make a good target for further hiking through these appealing hills if I had more time today.
Alas, all good things must come to an end, so I begin my hike back toward camp at the end of my short break I do prefer to get back to my tent before sunset, even though I'm carrying a flashlight in my backpack in case I should need it. I'll drop down to the bottom of the wash, and then over to the other side of the next set of hills. Date: April 27, 2008, 15h49 I do prefer to get back to my tent before sunset, even though I'm carrying a flashlight in my backpack in case I should need it. I'll drop down to the bottom of the wash, and then over to the other side of the next set of hills.
The return hike down into Devil's Playground Wash allows me to walk toward some great views that were behind me on the way up In general, I prefer loop hikes instead of routes that require turning back and retracing my steps at the end. However, this hike is an exception due to the excellent views all around. Date: April 27, 2008, 16h06 In general, I prefer loop hikes instead of routes that require turning back and retracing my steps at the end. However, this hike is an exception due to the excellent views all around.
On the steeper, more eroded parts of the road, it's a bit slippery going downhill and almost like hiking cross-country Of course, there's always the occasional cholla cactus to avoid as well! Date: April 27, 2008, 16h23 Of course, there's always the occasional cholla cactus to avoid as well!
I'm not getting tired of the flowers, rocks and cacti as I walk back down to Devil's Playground Wash The downhill hike is going faster than I expected, but return hikes are always like that. Date: April 27, 2008, 16h28 The downhill hike is going faster than I expected, but return hikes are always like that.
I arrive back down at Devil's Playground Wash in what feels like no time at all Actually, close to an hour has elapsed since I started hiking briskly down from the upper Bighorn Basin mine, but it hardly seems like it. Date: April 27, 2008, 16h43 Actually, close to an hour has elapsed since I started hiking briskly down from the upper Bighorn Basin mine, but it hardly seems like it.
Climbing out of Devil's Playground Wash, I'm starting to feel the heat of the day with the sun shining on my back It has been a fairly warm day in the mid-80s again, but breezes up here in the exposed areas have kept me from overheating in the hot sun. Date: April 27, 2008, 16h48 It has been a fairly warm day in the mid-80s again, but breezes up here in the exposed areas have kept me from overheating in the hot sun.
The climb up the old road over the tailings pile is steep The vertical line of shrubs grows in the middle of the former road. Extinct tire tracks line the shrubs on each side. Date: April 27, 2008, 16h50 The vertical line of shrubs grows in the middle of the former road. Extinct tire tracks line the shrubs on each side.
After crossing the summit again at Hill 1114, I take a short break in the first shade of the day before hiking down to my tent Gee, it only took me 15 minutes to climb that steep hill (375 feet)? While relaxing here, a hummingbird comes over to me and hovers for a while, checking me out from various different angles, apparently attracted to the blue of my backpack. Date: April 27, 2008, 16h59 Gee, it only took me 15 minutes to climb up that hill (375 feet)?

While relaxing here just below the summit, a hummingbird comes over to me and hovers for a while, checking me out from various different angles. He must be attracted to the blue of my backpack since I'm not wearing any other bright colours.

I'm always intrigued by the hummingbirds that I see in the desert because it seems that there might not be enough flowers of the correct sort for them to survive out here.
Back at my tent well before sunset, I rest and eat a little, then take a few photos before the sun fades away Well, I drank all of the 3.5 litres of water that I carried with me on today's hike. Once the sun goes down, the temperature drops almost instantly and it's clear that I'll want to wear clothes inside my sleeping bag. Date: April 27, 2008, 19h13 Well, I drank all of the 3.5 litres of water that I carried with me on today's hike.

As soon as I arrive at the tent, I eat the pouch of Trader Joe's Vegetable Jambalaya that I left outside to heat up in the hot sun. I'm surprised it's not very hot, but its still tasty at room temperature.

Once the sun goes down, the temperature drops almost instantly and it's clear that I'll want to wear clothes inside my sleeping bag tonight. What a shock to the system after an almost-hot day!

The cool air seems to be discouraging to the bugs that were flitting on my tent last night; not many of them have returned to revisit me.

It's a dark, peaceful Sunday evening with no moon, and I write in my journal, review photos and sip brandy to a background of singing crickets again. Toward the end of the evening, I prepare a pouch of Mountain House Beef Stew: yum.
Bighorn Basin Mine hike as viewed in Google Earth Date: July 21, 2008, 21h21
Mojave National Preserve map, Day 5: Bighorn Basin Mine day hike from Coyote Springs Continue to Day 6: Coyote Springs to Butcher Knife Canyon via Kelso Depot and Death Valley Mine Road, Mojave National Preserve. Date: July 23, 2008, 20h01 Continue to Day 6: Coyote Springs to Butcher Knife Canyon via Kelso Depot and Death Valley Mine Road, Mojave National Preserve.
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