Category: Destination4x4

Marietta Nevada – Mineral County Ghost Town

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Located at 4947 feet above sea level, Marietta was formally established in 1877 near Teel’s Marsh and is now a ghost town in Mineral County, Nevada.   F.M. “Borax” Smith, a silver and gold prospector, found his place in the world, when he established a borax works in Teel’s Marsh in 1872.

Francis “Borax” Marion Smith prospected the Marietta Nevada Area
Francis “Borax” Marion Smith prospected the Marietta Nevada Area

Soon after the town was founded, the populations swelled to several hundred people, however exact figures are unknown due to inaccurate record keeping among the Chinese populations who worked in the borax plant.  The town soon boasted 13 saloons, a post office and several stores.

The town had a rowdy image and due to its remote location made it an easy target for robbers, and for criminals to run free.  At one point in the 1880 the stage was reported robbed 30 times. 

In the 1880’s due to increased demand for borax,  Borax Smith relocate is Marietta location down south to larger deposits found in Death Valley.  This moved singled the end of Marietta due to the loss of its biggest industry and by the early 1900s the town was virtually dead.  The was a period resurgence when other mining concerns prospected the area.

Marietta is currently located on BLM land.

Marietta Trail Map

Marietta Personalities

Francis Marion "Borax" Smith

Francis Marion Smith – “Borax Smith”

Francis Marion "Borax" Smith Francis Marion Smith, also known as "Borax" Smith was a miner and business man who made a fortune in the hostile…

References

French Camp Campground

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Camping in the High Sierras is not as easy as it once was, however this fact offers one the ability to explore and remove oneself from their comfort zone.  French Camp campground was the result of just this fact for me and as result, I found a little gem in the High Sierra.  

French Camp Campground is located along Rock Creek in the Inyo National Forest
French Camp Campground is located along Rock Creek in the Inyo National Forest

On our last trip, we planned on visiting and exploring the High Sierra.  Immediately, we planned on returning to Convict Lake.  Perhaps Lake Mary or Twin Lakes Campground in Mammoth Mountain however all of these campgrounds where sold out for our time period. I did not want to relocate our campsite during the course of our trip.

Each campsite had quite a bit of room and the undergrowth was such that you did have a bit of privacy. There was a lot of trees to offer shade on a warm June day. Each location had a table and fire ring. The soil is sanding and this old campground has quiet a bit of soot and charcoal mixed into to it from years of fires. This could mean an interesting and frequent clean up period with children.

The flush bathrooms were centrally located and cleaned on a regulate basis. Rock creek ran along the northern side of the campground and allowed for easy creek access for fishing.

French Camp , like many High Sierra Campgrounds does have California Black Bear from time to time. During our stay, there was bear activity. One report had a bear come into camp while a family was having dinner. This bear apparently helped itself to several rolls while the family looked on.

French Camp Campground is just one a string the campgrounds along Rock Creek. The campground host at French Camp was a very personable man, who did a great job keeping the place clean and greeting the campers.

Directions

From Bishop go north on Hwy 395 approximately 23 miles to Tom’s Place.  Turn southwest on Rock Creek Road and go approximately one mile to the campground on the right.

Campground Summary

Campground NameFrench Camp
Latitude, Longitude37.552500, -118.679167
Sites86
Elevation7200 ft
AmmenitiesBear Boxes, Fire rings, Table, Flust Toilets, Shower, Water, Camp host

French Camp Trail Map

The Hole in the Wall Ring Trail

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The Hole in the Wall Ring Trail is a short is a 1.5 miles loop trail around a hill top and through a slot canyon in the Mojave National Preserve.  The trail it self is well marked and very easy going, with the exception of 1/4 mile at the north end, through a slot canyon.  Rings are bolted into the rock to serve as hand holds and give the trail its name.

The Hole in the Wall Ring Trail is a short fun little hike in the Mojave National Preserve.
The Hole in the Wall Ring Trail is a short fun little hike in the Mojave National Preserve.

Following the Hole in the Wall Ring Trail from the visitors center south, the trail circles a hill in showcases various plants and cacti in the area.  The trail starts off fairly sandy and remains so until about the time you reach a large rock covered with petroglyphs.  You can spends hours trying to decipher the message left by our Native American community who live in the area long ago.

A snake is just one of many petroglyphs on the Ring Trail, Mojave National Preserve.
A snake is just one of many petroglyphs on the Ring Trail, Mojave National Preserve.

Leaving the petrogplyph rock behind, the trail travels through a meadow towards the slot canyon and near the Banshee Canyon primitive campsite.  This area in the spring time is very beautiful with a green valley floor from the low green grass spurred on my a recent spring rain.

A slot canyon begins to form towards the end of the Ring Trail, Mojave National Preserve.
A slot canyon begins to form towards the end of the Ring Trail, Mojave National Preserve.

As you leave Banshee Canyon behind, the walls being to narrow down into a slot canyon.  As you hike into the slot canyon the walls continue to narrow until you reach the points you can touch each side of the Canyon at the same time.    The final push of the hike is about a 50 foot elevation gain and some of the elevation gain is accomplished via the ring hand holds bolted into the wall.

My son Ryan showing the proper technique for climbing the rings, on the Ring Trail, Mojave National Preserve.
My son Ryan showing the proper technique for climbing the rings, on the Ring Trail, Mojave National Preserve.

California Juniper ( Juniperus californica )

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The California Juniper ( Juniperus californica ) is a common tree found in California, western Arizona and southern Nevada at medium elevations between 2,460 – 5,250 ft.  Commonly growing 10 and 26 feet in height, the grayish shredded bark Juniper may reach a maximum height or about 33 feet, although this height is rare.  Growing up in California and frequently camping in the Mojave and High Sierra, the California Juniper has frequents my memory and photographs.

A Juniper bush decorates the Mid Hills Campground in the Mojave National Preserve.
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Mid Hills Campground, Mojave National Preserve

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Located in deep in the heart of the Mojave National Preserve there is an abundance of campsites to suit everyone.  The Mid Hills campground was an after thought on a recent trip in March, 2018, however the location and charm of this spot make it a new favorite destination.

Mid Hills Campsite in the Mojave National Preserve March 2018 after a rainstorm.
Mid Hills Campsite in the Mojave National Preserve March 2018 after a rainstorm.

In March 2018, I decided to take my son on our first father and son camping trip, just the boys.  We scoured maps and picked destinations and points of interest.  He was very excited to hike the Ring Trail and we opted over-night at Hole in the Wall campground.

I picked him up from school with the Jeep loaded and we drove down Nipton Road deep into the isolated areas of the Mojave.  We arrived at Hole in the Wall campground and with the sun starting to set discovered that the campground was full of motor homes and jeepers.  No place to camp.  We opted for ‘Plan B’ and headed north.

We arrived at the campground with just a few minutes to setup before the sun went down.  I was pleased that the campground was mostly empty, and the large campsites were physically spacious and located some distance away from each other.

Our tent located in a large campsite in the Mid Hills Campground in the Mojave National Preserve.
Our tent located in a large campsite in the Mid Hills Campground in the Mojave National Preserve.

That night we focused on dinner and building a campfire, which was a bit difficult with a bunch of wet tinder and fuel.  Fortunately, the Eagle Scout prevailed any my son and I roasted some march mallows and made some smores.  That evening as the cold wet air enveloped us we explored the cosmos with a telescope before falling asleep under a magnificent display.  The morning was a bit damp and silent.  Only now could I appreciate the beauty and drama located in this campground.

The campground sites within a stand of pinyon pine and juniper trees.  Sadly, on June 1st, 2005, lightning strikes started the Hackberry Fire with burned through the campground and 70,736 surrounding acres.  Twelve years later, there are still scars within the campground.  Long dead and burnt juniper trees juxtapose with new growth provides evidence of the enduring properties of nature.

The campground offers pit toilets, fire rings, tables and ample room.  The 5000 ft elevation offers cold nights in the winter months, however would offer some relief from the summers heat.  There are no ultilities, hook-ups or potable water.  There are 26 campsites, which will cost you are $12 a night and are available on a first come first serve basis.

Mid Hills Campground Map