Big Bear, CA
I quiet mountain community full of back country adventure.
South Campground
South Campground is one of the most popular campgrounds in Zion National Park, located in Springdale, Utah. It is situated at an elevation of 3,900 feet, surrounded by the towering cliffs of Zion Canyon and offering access to some of the park’s most iconic hikes and attractions.
Amenities and Facilities:
South Campground offers a range of amenities and facilities to make your camping experience as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. Some of the key amenities include:
- Campsites: South Campground offers a total of 127 campsites, including 13 group sites and 4 accessible sites. The campsites are arranged in loops, with each loop offering its own set of amenities and facilities.
- Restrooms: There are two sets of restrooms located within South Campground, each with running water and flush toilets. The restrooms are cleaned daily and are equipped with hand dryers and baby changing stations.
- Picnic tables and fire pits: Each campsite at South Campground comes with a picnic table and a fire pit, allowing campers to enjoy meals and roast marshmallows over a campfire.
- Water: There are several water spigots located throughout, allowing campers to fill up their water bottles and clean their dishes.
- Dump station: There is a dump station located near the entrance, allowing campers to dispose of their waste.
- Camp store: There is a camp store located near the entrance, offering a range of supplies and souvenirs for campers.
Features:
South Campground is known for its stunning natural beauty and its proximity to some of Zion National Park’s most iconic features. Here are some of the key features of South Campground:
- Zion Canyon: South Campground is located in Zion Canyon, which is known for its towering cliffs, narrow canyons, and stunning vistas. The canyon can be accessed via the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, which is closed to private vehicles from April to October.
- Hiking trails: South Campground offers access to a range of hiking trails, including the famous Angels Landing and The Narrows hikes. Angels Landing is a strenuous hike that involves a steep ascent up a narrow ridge to a scenic overlook, while The Narrows is a water hike that takes you through the narrowest section of Zion Canyon.
- Wildlife: The area is home to a range of wildlife, including mule deer, coyotes, and a variety of birds. Visitors are advised to keep a safe distance from wildlife and to store food and other items in bear-proof containers.
- Dark skies: Zion National Park is known for its dark skies, making it an ideal location for stargazing. Visitors can enjoy views of the Milky Way and other celestial objects on clear nights.
Reservations
South Campground is a popular destination, and reservations are strongly recommended, especially during peak season (March to November). Reservations can be made up to six months in advance through the National Park Service website or by calling the reservation line. There are no walk-in sites available and campers are required to have a reservation before arriving.
Campground Map
References
Watchman Campground
Watchman Campground is located in Zion National Park in southwestern Utah and offers visitors the opportunity to experience the beauty of Zion up close while also enjoying the convenience of modern amenities.
History:
Watchman Campground was established in the 1960s and was named after the Watchman rock formation that rises above the campground. The campground was designed to provide a comfortable and convenient base for visitors to explore the park, while also preserving the natural beauty of the area.
Amenities:
Watchman Campground offers a variety of amenities to make visitors’ stay comfortable and enjoyable. These include:
- Campsites: The campground offers a total of 176 campsites, including 95 RV sites and 81 tent sites. All sites are equipped with a picnic table and fire pit or grill, and most sites have electric hookups.
- Restrooms: The campground has three modern restroom facilities with flush toilets and sinks, as well as several water filling stations.
- Dump station: There is a dump station located at the entrance to the campground for RVs to use.
- Laundry facilities: The campground has a coin-operated laundry facility available for guests to use.
- Camp store: The Watchman Campground store offers a variety of camping supplies, snacks, souvenirs, and other items.
Activities:
There are numerous activities available to visitors at Watchman Campground and the surrounding area. Some of these include:
- Hiking: There are numerous hiking trails in Zion National Park that are easily accessible from the campground, including the Watchman Trail, which offers stunning views of the surrounding area.
- Biking: Biking is allowed on the Pa’rus Trail, which is accessible from the campground and offers a scenic route through the park.
- Rock climbing: Zion National Park is a popular destination for rock climbers, and there are numerous climbing routes available throughout the park.
- Wildlife viewing: Zion is home to a variety of wildlife, including bighorn sheep, mule deer, and numerous bird species. Visitors can often see these animals while hiking or exploring the park.
- Ranger programs: The park offers a variety of ranger-led programs, including guided hikes, campfire talks, and stargazing events.
Reservations
Reservations for Watchman Campground can be made online or by phone up to six months in advance. The campground is open year-round, although some sites may be closed during the winter months due to snow. During peak season (March through November), reservations are highly recommended, as the campground often fills up quickly.
Fees
The nightly fee for a campsite at Watchman Campground varies depending on the season and type of site. Tent sites are generally less expensive than RV sites, and fees are higher during peak season. In addition to the nightly fee, visitors to Zion National Park are required to pay an entrance fee. The fee varies depending on the type of vehicle and the length of stay.
Accessibility
Watchman Campground is accessible to visitors with disabilities, with several ADA-accessible campsites and restrooms available. The Pa’rus Trail, which is accessible from the campground, is also ADA-accessible.
Conclusion
Watchman Campground is a popular destination for visitors to Zion National Park, offering modern amenities and convenient access to the park’s many activities and attractions. With its stunning scenery, numerous hiking trails, and abundant wildlife, Zion is a must-see destination for anyone interested in exploring the beauty of the American Southwest. Whether you’re camping in a tent or RV, Watchman Campground provides the perfect base for your Zion adventure.
Campground Map
Chilao Campground
Chilao Campground is a popular camping destination located in the Angeles National Forest, in the San Gabriel Mountains of Southern California. The campground is situated at an elevation of 5,300 feet and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Facilities
Chilao Campground features 77 campsites, each of which is equipped with a fire ring, picnic table, and food storage locker. The campground also offers a number of amenities, including potable water, restrooms, and showers. Additionally, there is a camp store on-site that sells firewood, ice, and basic camping supplies.
Activities
The San Gabriel Mountains are a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can explore the nearby hiking trails, including the Silver Moccasin Trail, which offers stunning views of the San Gabriel Mountains. There are also opportunities for fishing and swimming in nearby streams and lakes. Additionally, the campground is located near several historic sites, including the Mount Wilson Observatory.
Location
Chilao Campground is located in the Angeles National Forest, approximately 55 miles northeast of Los Angeles. To get there, visitors can take the Angeles Crest Highway (State Route 2) to Chilao Campground Road. The campground is situated in a peaceful, secluded area, surrounded by trees and mountains.
This is a great destination for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors. With its stunning natural scenery and wide range of activities, it is sure to provide a memorable camping experience for visitors of all ages.
Campground Summary
| Name | Chilao Campground |
| Location | San Gabriel Mountains, Los Angeles, California |
| Elevation | 5335 Feet |
| Number of Sites | 77 |
| Latitude, Longitude | 34.3203, -118.0134 |
Campground Map
References
Jackson Lee Davis “Diamondfield Jack”
Jackson Lee “Diamondfield Jack” Davis who was pardoned for murder in Idaho and moved to Nevada where he founded several mining camps. Davis was a hired gun who worked for the cattlemen “protecting” cattle herds and their grazing land from sheep famers.
In 1895, Davis is hired by the Sparks-Harrell cattle company to keep the sheepherders off of the grazing lands. After an altercation where Davis wounded Bill Tolman in a shooting. Following this incident, he fled south to Nevada to star or of sight. While in Nevada, Davis is known to brad about his exploits.
In February, 1896, Davis returned to Idaho and returned to work for Sparks-Harrell in Idaho. During this time, two sheepherders, Daniel Cummings and John Wilson, are shot and killed. Due to he previous bragging and his being in the area at the time, Davis became a suspect. Davis fled to Arizona and is eventually captured. Upon his capture, he is returned to Idaho, tried, found guilty and sentenced to death for of the shooting.
keep the sheep back. Don’t kill but shoot to wound if necessary. Use what measures you think best. If you have to kill, the company will stand behind you – regardless what happens.
While “Diamondfield Jack” is waiting his execution, two other men, James Bower and Jeff Gray, confess to the killing. During their trial, the two men are found not guilty. Regardless, this trial raised doubt as to the trial and Davis is reprieved one day before his scheduled execution.
Following a series of appeals, Davis is again scheduled for execution on July 3rd, 1901. At this point in time, public opinion no longer supported the death penalty. His execution is rescheduled until the Board of Pardons commutes his sentence to life in prisons. Davis is eventually pardoned on December 17th, 1902.
Following his release, Davis moved south into Nevada. In the spring of 1903, when news of promising gold strikes in Goldfield, Davis travelled to the town. After exploring and prospecting he uncovered promising ore ledges on McMahon Ridge northeast of town.
Within weeks of his discovery, prospectors flooded into the area. “Diamondfield Jack”, ever the opportunist plotted a townsite for the location and build a toll road to the new town from Goldfield. In the fall of 1904, the town reached its apex. At that time, it boasted a Post Office, three saloons, restaurants, general stores, schools, church, livery, butcher shop, blacksmith and union hall for the miners, which is impressive for a town just six months old. Public servants such as a sheriff, notary public and lawyer also maintained offices in the new formed district.
Nevada State Historic Marker #251 Text
This historical marker commemorates the lasting notoriety of flamboyant western gunman Jackson Lee Davis (1870-1949), who was better known by the colorful name, “Diamondfield Jack.” As a young man, after unsuccessfully prospecting for diamonds in the nearby hills, Davis was jokingly called “Diamondfield Jack,” a nickname that he carried the rest of his life.
In the late 1890’s, Davis gained a measure of fame as a gunman for the cattle interests, including rancher John Sparks, who would later become a Nevada governor, that were attempting to restrict sheep ranchers from southern Idaho and northeastern Nevada rangelands. Following a sensational trial in 1896, Davis was convicted of murdering two sheepherders. He was sentenced to be hanged, even after others confessed to the murders.
In 1902, Davis was finally pardoned for the crimes. He moved to the central Nevada mining towns of Tonopah and Goldfield, where he became a successful mine operator. He also helped found several mining camps, including one called Diamondfield. In later years, he drifted into obscurity and died in Las Vegas in 1949 after being struck by a car.
Nevada State Historic Marker #251 Summary
| Nevada State Historic Marker | 251 |
| Name | Diamondfield Jack Davis |
| Location | Elko County, Nevada |
| Latitude, Longitude | 41.9847, -114.6720 |
Resources
Carl Mengel – Panamint Valley Miner
Carl Mengel (1868–1944) was a German-born American prospector and small-scale miner whose decades of solitary toil in the rugged Panamint Mountains of California’s Death Valley region epitomized the hardscrabble, post-boom era of desert mining. Though he never struck it rich and died impoverished, Mengel left a lasting geographic imprint on the landscape: Mengel Pass in the southern Panamint Range bears his name, as does the spring and cabin site where he lived for more than three decades. His claims, most notably the Keystone Mine (later incorporated into the Lotus Mine), represent the persistent, low-capital prospecting that continued in the Panamints long after the famous 1870s silver stampede at Panamint City had faded.
Early Life and Path to Mining
Carl Mengel was born in 1868 in Germany (Alsace-Lorraine region according to family lore). His father was from Alsace-Lorraine and his mother Saxon; the family immigrated to the United States when Carl was about six (circa 1874). Both parents died before he turned eleven. An uncle in Ventura, California, became his guardian, but at age seventeen Mengel ran away, working first on a ranch in California’s San Joaquin Valley and later at Angels Camp in Calaveras County during the lingering Gold Rush era. He eventually gained possession of his uncle’s orchard near Visalia. Stricken with Bright’s disease (chronic kidney inflammation), he sold the land and moved to Seattle, where he bought an old rum boat for $75, sailed it, regained his health, and sold the vessel for a profit before returning to California.
By the late 1890s Mengel had turned to prospecting. He claimed to have first entered Butte Valley (on the eastern flank of the Panamint Mountains) in 1898. In the early 1900s he worked claims in Nevada’s Esmeralda and Nye counties (1905–1907) and made a notable strike in the Black Rock Desert of Humboldt County, where he operated “Camp Mengel.” The 1910 U.S. Census confirms his presence in Humboldt County as a naturalized citizen born in Germany.
The Mining Accident and Move to the Panamints
Sometime before 1912 Mengel suffered a devastating mining accident—most likely in Nevada—that cost him part of his left leg. Accounts vary: one places it at Silver Peak, Nevada, around 1905, when a rock fall crushed his leg and required amputation; another claims he performed a self-amputation with a tourniquet while awaiting rescue; a third dates it even earlier, to about 1888. Whatever the exact circumstances, Mengel survived, was fitted with a wooden peg leg (later replaced by a mechanical prosthetic), and continued prospecting with remarkable agility. The injury did not deter him; if anything, it cemented his reputation as a tough, one-legged desert rat.
In 1912 Mengel settled permanently in the Panamint Mountains west of Death Valley. He purchased the Oro Fino claim in Goler Wash and refurbished an abandoned cabin at a spring (later called Mengel Spring or Greater View Spring) that Mormon prospectors had left in 1869. The site, about half a mile south of Anvil Spring in Butte Valley, offered commanding views across the valley floor. Here he made his home for the rest of his life, staking and working claims in the surrounding canyons and washes.
Role in Panamint Mountains Mining History
The Panamint Range had already seen its share of boom-and-bust cycles. The 1873–1876 silver rush at Panamint City in Surprise Canyon had drawn thousands before collapsing. Later gold strikes at Skidoo and other districts brought renewed activity in the early 1900s. By the time Mengel arrived, however, large-scale operations had largely given way to individual prospectors and small partnerships working marginal deposits of gold, silver, lead, and zinc.
Mengel became a fixture in the Butte Valley–Anvil Spring–Goler Wash district. In October 1924 he filed a cluster of claims south and west of Anvil Spring: the Topah Nos. 1–4, Topah Extension, and Mah Jongg Nos. 1–6. His most significant holding was the Keystone Mine, high above Goler Canyon on the west slope of the Panamints. Though never a major producer, the Keystone represented Mengel’s determined search for ore in the mineralized veins of the range.
In 1935, at an advanced age, Mengel sold majority interest in the Keystone to the Monte Cristo Mines company. They expanded the property into six unpatented claims. Shortly afterward the holdings passed to Lotus Mines of Burbank, California. The Lotus operation drove tunnels from the opposite side of the mountain to tap the same ore body Mengel had been pursuing, installing an aerial tram and other infrastructure. The Lotus/Keystone complex thus stands as a direct legacy of Mengel’s early work, illustrating how lone prospectors’ claims sometimes seeded later, modestly capitalized developments in the remote Panamints.
Mengel was no recluse. He maintained friendships with legendary Death Valley figures such as Shorty Harris and Pete Aguereberry and was a frequent visitor to the nearby communities of Shoshone and Tecopa, where locals remembered him as an elusive but colorful storyteller. He lived frugally in his stone-and-wood cabin at Greater View Spring, sometimes called the Stella-Mengel Cabin, surrounded by the stark beauty of the Panamints.
Final Years and Legacy
Mengel’s health declined sharply in 1943. He died on April 28, 1944, at age 76 in the San Bernardino County Charity Hospital from complications of tuberculosis. True to his desert life, he left no fortune—only his claims, cabin, and prosthetic leg. Friends Barbara and Bill Myers scattered his ashes atop the pass between Goler Wash and Butte Valley and built a stone cairn there, placing his old wooden peg leg on top. The site, roughly fifty feet outside the then-boundary of Death Valley National Monument, became known as Mengel Pass and remains a modest but poignant memorial within what is now Death Valley National Park.
Carl Mengel never achieved the fame or wealth of the region’s earlier mining barons, yet his story endures as a classic tale of the twentieth-century desert prospector. In the Panamint Mountains—where silver bonanzas had long since played out—he embodied the gritty persistence that kept small-scale mining alive amid isolation, injury, and economic hardship. Today, hikers and backcountry explorers still pass his namesake pass, visit the ruins of his cabin, and trace the tunnels of the Keystone/Lotus Mine, reminders of one man’s lifelong gamble on the mineral riches hidden in the Panamints.