Big Bear, CA
I quiet mountain community full of back country adventure.
Frank “Shorty” Harris
Frank Harris was a prospector, desert rat and perhaps the best known character in western mining history. He looked the part, often travelling the desert with his mule loaded to the ears with gear. “Shorty” Harris was named, as one would suspect, due to his limited height. Standing just a little over five feet tall, this prospector casts a long shadow over the desert southwest having discovered and started several mine sights and towns.
Shorty Harris sought is fortune in the desert prospecting and mining for gold. In the summer of 1904 he discovered the Bullfrog Mining District near Rhyolite, with Ed Cross. It is said that Ed sold his interest in the claim for $125,000. Shorty Harris claimed to have discovered that he sold him claim during a 6 day celebration.
One night, when I was pretty well lit up, a man by the name of Bryan took me to his room and put me to bed. The next morning, when I woke up, I had a bad headache and wanted more liquor. Bryan had left several bottles of whiskey on a chair beside the bed and locked the door. I helped myself and went back to sleep. That was the start of the longest jag I ever went on; it lasted six days. When I came to, Bryan showed me a bill of sale for the Bullfrog, and the price was only $25,000. I got plenty sore, but it didn’t do any good. There was my signature on the paper and beside it, the signatures of seven witnesses and the notary’s seal. And I felt a lot worse when I found out that Ed had been paid a hundred and twenty-five thousand for his half, and had lit right out for Lone Pine, where he got married.
Frank “Shorty” Harris
Touring Topics: Magazine of the American Automobile Association of Southern California
October 1930
The discovery led the to the founding of the town Rhyolite.
Shorty Harris had the reputation as a prospector, not a miner. He discovered many mines which produced, but he never appeared to develop the mine sites he found. Perhaps like many, the thrill of the hunt and the lure of saloons and drinking appeared the be his passion. He is known to have been a friend of the women, and loved to tell tall tales and was known to be well liked.
Following his adventures in Rhyolite, Shorty found himself in Furnace Creek where he ran into Pete Aquerebuerry. The two men pared up and decided to do some prospecting in the Panamint Mountains. They arrived in the areas known as Harrisberry Flats where in, one of them found gold. Two gold strikes in two years. He was also involved in mining operations twice in Goldbelt Springs. Once in 1905 mining gold and again in 1916 was a tungsten operation which earned him $1500.00
Frank “Shorty” Harris lived 77 years and passed in Big Pine, CA. At his request, he was buried in Death Valley, and his grave is visited by many travelers each year.
“I hear that Frisco is a ghost town now—abandoned and the buildings falling to ruin. That is what happened to many of the towns where I worked in the early days, but nobody then would have thought it was possible. Even now, it’s hard for me to believe that owls are roosting over those old bars where we lined up for drinks, and sagebrush is growing in the streets.”
Frank Shorty Harris
“almost as hell-roaring a place as Leadville. The boys were all decorated with six-guns and believe me, they knew how to use them. The handiest on the draw stayed in town, but those that were too slow made a one-way trip to Boot-Hill
Frank Shorty Harris – On Tombstone in 1885
Articles Tagged Shorty Harris
 Bullfrog Nevada – Nye County Ghost TownOne of the few remaining structures in Bullfrog, Nevada - Photo by James L Rathbun Located at the northern end of Amargosa Desert, Bullfrog is… |
 Goldbelt SpringsA discovery by the famous prospector "Shorty Harris", led to the founding on the Goldbelt Springs mining district off Hunter Mountain Road in Death Valley… |
 Harrisburg California – Inyo County Ghost TownHarrisburg, California, a now-abandoned ghost town in Inyo County, was a fleeting but significant mining camp in Death Valley’s history. Established in 1905 following a… |
 Keane Wonder Mine – “King of the Desert”The Keane Wonder Mine is perhaps the most visited gold mining facility in Death Valley National Park in eastern California. Mining operations began in December… |
 Pete Aguereberry – A Panamint Valley MinerPete Aguereberry was a prospector and miner who operated around Death Valley National Park, for whom Aguereberry is named. Born in the Basque Region of… |
 Rhyolite Nevada – Nye County Ghost TownRhyolite is a ghost town location just outside of the Eastern edge of Death Valley National monument in Nye country, Nevada. Founded in 1904 by… |
Resources
Utah Trip Fall 2001
Now it was the time to get serious on a Utah Trip. I am been all over California, and have had a bit of success but have yet to capture the jaw dropping color and composition that I have been working towards. I have taken several images that were interesting, but nothing that I have really been happy about.
In October, I took two weeks off, and spent one week on a house boat at Lake Powell with friends. Each afternoon I would hike out into the country looking for the right light. However, I was never able to find the images I was looking for. I found that I had some problems being on the wrong side of the lake, when the sun light began to soften.
After a week on the lake, I was finally able to relax from the office, and wind down. The second week of my trip was spent with my good friend John and his wife. John has been taking photographs for several years, but only began after I stopped. So this is the first time we have ever taken pictures together. A truly fine photographer, John has taught me much in the last year and has been instrumental in helping me develop my technique and style.
The Slot Canyons
Our first day was spent around page Arizona, We got ourselves organized, and headed off to Antelope Canyon. Each toting two cameras, several lenses, tripods, multiple rolls of film, we jumped on a Native American truck and drove up the road to Upper Antelope Canyon. Upper Antelope is a truly amazing place, and I consider myself fortunate to have visited this place.
The light at midday was inspiring and I found it difficult to shoot as I was just content to look. However, after a quick walk through the canyon we went to work with the cameras with some good results. The only negative thing that I could say about Upper Antelope Canyon, was that it has become quick popular, and was rather crowded. There was only 25 people or so in the canyon, and this may not seem like many, but when you are in a canyon that is only 3 feet wide, you are constantly moving and relocating to let someone pass.
Lower Antelope canyon is just across the road from Upper Antelope, but could not have been more different. Upper Antelope is known for it’s Grandeur, Lower Antelope Canyon is a much more intermit place to visit. The whole time that we were there, we only saw two other people. I could not have planned it better. Lower Antelope canyon starts literally as a small crack in a river bed. It opens up into one of the prettiest places on earth. Words can not do it justice, and the images that can be capture are beyond description. Hours past in an instant
Escalante & Bryce
After leaving Page Arizona, we head North West on our Utah trip, and took a dirt shortcut up to Bryce. We spent the next day exploring Escalante Canyon. We got a late start, and we did not really have a good plan of attack for Escalante Canyon. I took some good shots of around Calf Creek Falls.
Zion
I had not been to Zion in many years. It had been so long, that I was not too sure what to expect. However, John knew exactly where to go, and had previously obtained all the back country permits. Our Utah trip was made when we discovered that we would be in the same valley as one of our mutual influences. We hiked down into the small river canyon that contain our goal. A tubular structure carved into the canyon wall known as the subway. The nine mile hike into the subway is strewn with a lot of boulder hoping along a “trail” that is missing most the time. It was rough going, but was truly worth the effort. Leading up to the subway itself is a series of cascades. It was on these cascades that John and I met the man who has so influenced our work.
After a quick lunch we started shooting the water falls, and let the other photographer work further up the valley unimpeded. Although careful, I quickly was completely soaked with water from the knees down. Continuing up the canyon, we found our goal, the subway itself. Standing in near freezing water, for hours at a time had its toll, but the time continued to fly by. However, the longer we waited the better the light became.
After just four short hours we had to leave. The climb out of the canyon is steep up a heavily eroded trail that is best navigated with some remaining light.
The next two days were spent relaxing a bit. On the hike out of the subway, I aggravated an old knee injury, and my knee had quickly swollen and became painful. It was worth it though. I captured some good photographs, and met one of my influences out in the field, doing what we both love. Truly a great Utah trip.
Boulder Beach Campground
Located within 45 minutes to the Las Vegas strip, Boulder Beach Campground offers a camping opportunity near the shore of beautiful Lake Mead. The campground is located on a bluff overlooking the shoreline and Lake Mead. The campground offers views of the lake and amazing sailing, boating, fishing, swimming, fishing and hiking trails.
This is a year round campground which offers group camps, tent and RV Accommodations. During the summer moths the desert heat can be a factor, so be sure to plan ahead. Each site is equipped with fire rings and tables and palm trees may offer a break from the sun. Due to the location of the campground and the lower lake levels, the beach is located a bit further than normal.
Boulder Beach provides quick access to Hoover Damn, the Hoover Damn Bypass Bridge, the Visitor Center. The River Mountains Loop Trail and the Historic Railroad Trail provide are quick hikes which are also located near by.
The weather can vary from freezing temperatures in the winter months with summer heat the temperature of easily capable of over 110 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a first come first serve campground
Campground Summary
| Name | Boulder Beach Campground |
| Location | Lead Mead, Clark County, Nevada |
| Latitude, Longitude | 36.036901,-114.802604 |
| Elevation | 1,280 feet |
| Sites | 154 |
| Ammenities | Tables, Fire Rings, Water, Bathrooms, |
Campground Map
Resources
Marietta Nevada – Mineral County Ghost Town
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.
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 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
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.
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 Name | French Camp |
| Latitude, Longitude | 37.552500, -118.679167 |
| Sites | 86 |
| Elevation | 7200 ft |
| Ammenities | Bear Boxes, Fire rings, Table, Flust Toilets, Shower, Water, Camp host |