The third day of our Thanksgiving trip was spent in the southern end of Mojave National Preserve, exploring some fun rock formations and old mining sights.
The Sheep Corral is a sunken labyrinth of washes, rock piles, and dead ends at the foot of the Granite Mountains in Mojave National Preserve. Back in November, we spent an hour wandering through the rocks and exploring the nooks and crannies. After our visit to the Sheep Corral we explored some nearby mining sights – Hidden Hill, Bighorn Mine, and finally camp at the Vulcan Mine.
Trip Report
We found the Sheep Corral parking area just off of highway 40. The hike into the Sheep Corral started in a wide wash with more animal footprints than human. Whimsical rockpiles look like cartoon backdrops.
We explored to a few dead ends but didn’t scramble further since it was beyond Thor’s capabilities.
On our way back we climbed to the desert floor above the Corral and got a nice view of the area.
Next, we followed a bumpy dirt road along the southern end of the Providence Mountains to the base of Hidden Hill. Some old ruins and mining equipment were scattered around.
We hiked up the old mining roads as they zigzagged up the mountainside. Lots of coyote melon and caved in old pits lined the route.
We drove a bit further as the road deteriorated on the way to Bighorn Mine. We found a wonderfully restored cabin (“Hilltop House“) and enjoyed the views from the front porch!
Imagine relaxing on your front porch with this view every morning. Bring me a coffee!
Finally, we ended the day at the Vulcan Mine. Once a source of iron ore for the Fortuna steel mill, it now is an abandoned pit not far from Kelso Depot. The road is approachable from the West, but the next morning we took the drive out over the Providence Mountains to the east and that was some rough 4×4!
We found a perfect campsite on an old foundation that protected us from the wind.
It overlooked the Kelso Dunes and we were treated to a beautiful sunrise the next morning before the long rough drive.
