George Robert Johnston – The Ballarat Bandit

A police sketch of the Ballarat Bandit - George Robert Johnston
A police sketch of the Ballarat Bandit – George Robert Johnston

George Robert Johnston, known as the Ballarat Bandit, was a petty criminal who lead police on a chase access the Mojave desert. He was born around 1954 in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Little is known about his early years, but he grew up to become a drywaller by trade. He married a woman named Tommi and together they had four daughters. Johnston was described by those who knew him as a devoted family man, but his life took a tragic turn when his wife was diagnosed with leukemia. To help cover medical costs and support his family, Johnston turned to illegal activities, specifically growing and selling marijuana. This decision marked the beginning of his downward spiral into crime.

In 1997, Johnston was arrested for his marijuana operation and sentenced to eight years in prison. He served only about a year and a half before being paroled. However, his time in incarceration was profoundly damaging; he suffered a severe mental breakdown, possibly exacerbated by medication or the stress of imprisonment. This left him emotionally unstable and unable to resume normal life or provide for his family effectively. By 2000, overwhelmed and desperate, Johnston left his family, telling them he was heading to the United States to seek help from a faith healer. His family would not hear from him again for years.

Descent into Crime

After disappearing into the United States, Johnston’s whereabouts were unknown until 2003, when he resurfaced in the remote desert regions of California, particularly around Ballarat—a historic ghost town in Death Valley National Park. Ballarat, once a bustling mining supply center founded in 1897 and named after its Australian counterpart, had long since faded into obscurity, making it an ideal hideout for someone seeking isolation. Here, Johnston began a series of burglaries to sustain himself. He targeted remote cabins, campsites, and small settlements in the area, stealing an eclectic mix of items including food, tools, clothing, and notably, weapons. These thefts were not for profit but for survival, as Johnston lived off the grid in makeshift camps scattered throughout the harsh desert terrain of Death Valley.

His methods were resourceful and indicative of his deteriorating mental state. Johnston’s camps were cleverly hidden, and he used the stolen weapons for protection or hunting. Authorities later speculated that his elusive behavior might stem from military training, though no evidence supported this. Some even suspected him of being a terrorist, particularly after reports of him observing the Tonopah Test Range in Nevada—a restricted military area—leading to initial mislabeling as a potential security threat. In reality, his actions were driven by paranoia and a desire to avoid returning to prison, fueled by his earlier breakdown and family struggles.

The Manhunt: A Legendary Chase

Johnston’s burglaries soon attracted the attention of local law enforcement, sparking one of the most remarkable manhunts in modern U.S. history. Dubbed the “Ballarat Bandit” due to his association with the town, Johnston evaded capture for approximately 11 months, covering an estimated 1,500 miles through some of the most unforgiving terrain in the American Southwest, including the deserts of California, Nevada, and possibly Arizona.

The pursuit involved a massive multi-agency effort, including the National Park Service, Homeland Security, California Highway Patrol, and sheriff’s departments from multiple counties across three states. Resources deployed were extensive: helicopters (including Black Hawk models with SWAT teams), planes, K-9 units, trackers, ATVs, horseback patrols, and foot pursuits. Despite this, Johnston’s wilderness survival skills and physical endurance allowed him to repeatedly escape.

Key events in the manhunt highlight his remarkable evasion tactics:

  • In one notable incident, a 30-man posse raided his camp near the base of a 9,000-foot mountain at dawn. Johnston fled on foot, sprinting five miles up and over the peak and across a valley without stopping, outpacing pursuers who came within 50 feet of him. An officer later marveled at his stamina, noting that at age 50, Johnston “never stopped once” or rested.
  • Two months later, he trekked 60 miles through snow-covered hills in Nevada to evade another search party.
  • Reports from the time, covered in outlets like the Pahrump Valley Times, described him using night vision gear and setting up early warning systems with mousetraps and fishing line around his camps.

The manhunt gained media attention, with Johnston’s story inspiring comparisons to old Western outlaws. His ability to survive in extreme conditions—enduring scorching heat, freezing nights, and minimal resources—cemented his legend as one of the West’s most mysterious fugitives.

Death and Identification

Cornered in Death Valley National Park near Ballarat in early 2004, with capture imminent, Johnston chose to end his life rather than face imprisonment again. He died by suicide via gunshot wound at the age of 49 or 50. His body was discovered in the desert, but due to decomposition and lack of immediate identification, he was initially classified as John Doe #39-04 by the San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office.

For 18 months, his identity remained a mystery, despite distinctive features like a tattoo. In 2006, fingerprints were sent to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), who matched them to Johnston. The news devastated his wife and daughters, who had held out hope for his return. His remains were buried in an unmarked grave in a potter’s field in San Bernardino, California.

Legacy and Media Portrayals

Johnston’s true motives—whether driven by mental illness, desperation from his wife’s illness, or a deeper psychological break—remain unclear, as they died with him. Posthumous revelations painted him not as a hardened criminal but as a tragic figure: a family man pushed to extremes by personal hardships.

His story has been featured in various media:

  • A 2007 Men’s Journal article by Jason Kersten, “The Bandit of Ballarat,” detailed the manhunt and became a seminal account.
  • In 2008, it was profiled on the TruTV series The Investigators in the episode “Lone Fugitive.”
  • Podcasts like Dark Poutine (2019) recounted his tale, emphasizing his Canadian roots.
  • YouTube documentaries and blog posts, such as those on Reddit’s r/area51, have kept the legend alive, often linking it to nearby military mysteries like Area 51.
  • Ballarat itself was used as a filming location to recreate his story, and presentations like Emmett C. Harder’s 2015 talk at the Mohahve Historical Society highlighted its “heartbreaking irony.”

The Ballarat Bandit’s saga endures as a modern tale of survival, tragedy, and the human limits of endurance in one of America’s harshest landscapes.

Indian Ranch Road

The hottest place on earth, Death Valley National Park is on the order with California and Nevada
The hottest place on earth, Death Valley National Park is on the order with California and Nevada

Indian Ranch Road is a scenic, graded dirt road located in the Panamint Valley within the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands adjacent to Death Valley National Park, serving as a vital gateway to the western foothills of the Panamint Mountains. This approximately 12-15 mile route (depending on extensions into side canyons) runs north-south from near the intersection of Panamint Valley Road and Trona-Wildrose Road, passing by the historic Ballarat Ghost Town and skirting the base of the rugged Panamint Range, offering stunning views of arid desert landscapes, colorful canyons, and distant peaks like Telescope Peak. It’s primarily a driving trail suitable for high-clearance vehicles, with some sections requiring 4×4 capabilities due to loose gravel, washouts, and occasional storm damage; hiking or off-road exploration is common in connecting canyons like Surprise and Jail.

Current Conditions (as of Latest Available Data, August 2025)

Based on reports up to 2024, the road is generally well-maintained as a graded gravel path but can become rougher toward the northern end, with potential for erosion from monsoon rains or winter storms making it impassable for low-clearance vehicles. Expect dry, dusty conditions in summer with extreme heat (often exceeding 100°F/38°C), while winter may bring cooler temperatures and rare snow at higher elevations. No recent major closures have been noted, but always check BLM or NPS updates for flash flood risks; a Campfire Permit is required for any open flames, and dispersed camping is allowed on BLM land west of the road until Happy Canyon Road. Water sources are scarce—carry ample supplies—and watch for wildlife like bighorn sheep or burros. As of early 2024, the road was navigable with high-clearance vehicles, but adjacent trails like Surprise Canyon Road (BLM Route P71) are rocky and demand 4×4.

Trail Description and Difficulty

Starting from Ballarat Ghost Town (about 3.5 miles north of Wingate Road on Panamint Valley Road), head north on Indian Ranch Road for a mostly flat to gently undulating drive along the valley floor, gaining minimal elevation (around 1,500-2,000 feet base). The main route is easy to moderate for experienced off-road drivers, taking 1-2 hours one-way, but side trips into canyons add challenge—e.g., turning east onto Surprise Canyon Road after ~2 miles leads to a steep, boulder-strewn path requiring advanced 4×4 skills and potentially hiking beyond vehicle barriers. Further north, at ~7.8 miles, Jail Canyon branches east for a colorful 4WD route to mining ruins, while the road continues to points like Indian George’s historic ranch site around 11 miles north. No permits are needed for the road itself, but respect private property signs near ranches and adhere to Leave No Trace principles.

Points of Interest

  • Ballarat Ghost Town: At the southern start, explore ruins of this 1897 mining camp, including adobe buildings, old vehicles, and a cemetery— a remnant of the late-19th-century gold rush.
  • Surprise Canyon Wilderness: Access via a short detour; hike the lush, water-fed canyon for riparian oases, waterfalls, rare Panamint daisies, and bighorn sheep sightings, leading to Panamint City ghost town ruins at ~6,500 feet.
  • Jail Canyon: A scenic 4WD side trail to a preserved mining camp and mill, with vibrant rock formations.
  • Indian George Hansen’s Ranch Site: Near the northern reaches, remnants of the Shoshone guide’s homestead, known for its spring water and role in supporting early travelers.
  • Panoramic views of the Panamint Mountains, with opportunities for stargazing in this dark-sky area.

Trail Map

Historical Contributions to the Panamint Mountains

Indian Ranch Road has played a pivotal role in the history of the Panamint Mountains by following ancient Native American paths and facilitating the 19th-century mining boom that defined the region. Named likely after Shoshone ranches like that of Indian George Hansen—a legendary guide who discovered silver in Surprise Canyon around the 1870s, sparking the founding of Panamint City—the road connected isolated valleys to bustling silver camps. Shoshone families, including Hungry Bill (born ~1839-1848) and his brother Panamint Tom, established ranches in nearby Johnson and Anvil Canyons from the 1870s onward, cultivating crops like corn, potatoes, watermelons, and fruit orchards under crude irrigation to supply miners in Panamint City and Ballarat. These ranches, such as Hungry Bill’s at ~5,000 feet in Johnson Canyon, represented seasonal Shoshone habitation and adaptation, providing fresh produce amid the desert’s harshness and bridging Native and settler economies during the silver rush of 1873-1875. The road’s alignment along routes like Johnson Canyon—a direct trail from Death Valley to Panamint City via Panamint Pass—enabled transportation of goods, mining equipment, and people, supporting boom towns like Panamint City (founded by outlaws in 1873) and contributing to the area’s economic surge before its bust in the late 1870s. Indian George, who lived to ~107 (dying in 1944), not only aided in silver discoveries but also healed locals with traditional remedies and negotiated water rights, embodying cultural resilience. Today, the road preserves access to these sites, highlighting the intertwined histories of Indigenous stewardship, mining exploitation, and environmental adaptation in the Panamint Mountains, with areas like Hungry Bill’s Ranch eligible for National Register status as historic districts.

Charles Ferge “Seldom Seen Slim” – A Ballarat Prospector

Charles Ferge "Seldom Seen Slim"
Charles Ferge “Seldom Seen Slim”

Charles Ferge “Seldom Seen Slim” is the last of the known prospectors who lived in the town of Ballarat located in Death Valley National Park, California.

Seldom Seen Slim, named Charles Ferge, was born in Illinois on October 21st 1881. Slim came to Ballarat sometime between 1913 and 1917 not long after the town was abandoned by the miners seeking their fortunes elsewhere.

Ferge became the last resident of Ballarat and had a reputation as a recluse with a cantankerous side. He survived in one of the harshest landscapes living on his own in his town of Ballarat. It is said that he lived in every remaining building of the ghost town. His focus was mining and he just needed enough money to survive as a desert prospector. Slim only needed enough money to buy necessities of food, tobacco for his pipe, water, gas for his car and clothes.

When the water source in Ballarat dried up due to a dropping water table, Slim would haul water into the town using jugs from other sources miles away. The scarcity of water would only allow the man to bathe a few times per year.

While is is the sole citizen of Ballarat, the town had no running water, no electricity or any other services He became an unofficial curator for the ghost town. Slim would often tell stories to visitors and sell them souvenirs of gold ore.

Seldom Seen Slim died of cancer in 1968 in Trona, California. He is buried on “Boot Hill” in Ballarat and his greave is a popular place to stop.

Me lonely? Hell no! I’m half coyote and half wild burro.

Charles Ferge “Seldom Seen Slim”

References

Pete Aguereberry – A Panamint Valley Miner

Pete Aguereberry was a prospector and miner who operated around Death Valley National Park, for whom Aguereberry is named. Born in the Basque Region of France on Oct. 18, 1874, Jean Pierre “Pete” Aguereberry sailed to America with his fater in 1890.

Pete Aguereberry
Pete Aguereberry

Aguereberry struggled to learn the English while working an assortment of odd jobs to make a living. He worked as a handball player, sheepherder, cattle driver, milk truck driver, ice delivery man, ranch hand, and stage driver. A a stage driver he found his was to Goldfield, Nevada around 1902.

A few years later, he and fellow miner Frank “Shorty” Harris struck gold at Harrisburg Flats, 55 miles southeast of Lone Pine on July 1, 1905. Aguereberry worked the the northern edge of a ledge, while Harris worked the southern side. Within a month, over 20 different groups were working the area which later became Harrisburg. Aguereberry transformed that claim into the Eureka Mine, which he worked until his death on Nov. 23, 1945 at Tecopa Hot Springs at age 72.

Aguereberry is perhaps best known for the road he built to Aguereberry Point so visitors could enjoy its spectacular view of Death Valley.

Though he wished to be buried at the point in Death Valley, government officials, citing the 1933 monument status of Death Valley, denied his final request. Augereberry’s remains were buried in Lone Pine. A plaque in Lone Pine, California honors the life and memory of Pete Augereberry. Pete is remembered amount friends as a modest, hardworking, honorable man and a true legend of Death Valley.

References

Charles Milles Maddox

Charles Milles Maddox AKA Charlie Manson was a serial killer and most of the bad parts of the Old Testament sort of criminal. He briefly lived in the Panamint Mountains on the western edge of Death Valley National Park.

The booking photo of the dimunutive Charles Milles Maddox.  Inyo County October 1969.
The booking photo of the dimunutive Charles Milles Maddox. Inyo County October 1969.

Introduction

As a preface, I would like to say that I have been extremely reluctant to include Maddox on my website. I do not wish to glorify him in anyway. Growing up in the 1970s, just a few miles from the La Bianca house, I can not remember when I first heard of Manson. Our family loved the 395 highway and knew some law enforcement officers in Lone Pine, Inyo County.

Long Story Short

Most books and movies of Manson tend correctly focas on the Tate-La Bianca murders. In summary, Manson, a career criminal, is release from prison. He meets young women and uses the girls to attack young men with sex a drugs. Over the coarse of about two years, he forms them in a cult of followers who live at Spahn movie ranch.. On August 9th and 10th, 1969, Manson orders these followers to slaughter 7 people in their homes.

After the murders, the family cult moves to Barker Ranch in Goler Wash, in Death Valley. It is here that he is captured for vandalizing some earth moving equipment and auto theft. Once captured, he is connected to the murders in Los Angles, tried and convicted by Vincent Bug

Panamint Charlie

Myers Ranch, Panamint Mountain
Myers Ranch, Panamint Mountain

Mansons original destination is the Myers Ranch in the Panamint Range. In October, 1968, he started to look for a desert location to move his “brood”. He choose the desert because “Out there, things aren’t so crazy”. (Ironic) One of his followers is Cathy (Cappy) Gilles is a grand daughter of Bill and Barbara Myers. “Cappy” obtained permission from the family matriarch for her and some girls to come up and stay at the ranch. One can not help to wonder if the true purpose of moving them to the Panamint mountains is to further isolate his followers from society.

Additionally, Manson supposedly discussed operating out of Barker Ranch with the owner Arlene. He convinced her he was a musician working on a record and would maintain the property for her. He gave her a Beach Boys gold album in payment, which would undoubtably prove his claims of being a musician. Between 40 acres at Myers Ranch and 5 acres at Barker, he had control over 45 acres of property in the sparsely populated Panamint Mountains.

The family stayed in Goler Wash from October 1968 to about January 1969. The family of nineteen people travelled using a school bus to the mouth of Goler wash, and would hike in with supplies up the ranch house. During this time, they made regular trips back down to Los Angeles or over to Las Vegas. The family would regularly shop for supplies in Ballarat which still had a small population and general store.

In the winter months of 1969, Manson and his followers returned to Los Angeles. They stayed at several other locations beside the infamous Spahn movie ranch. During this time, they continued to steal cars, deal drugs, probably prostitution and all in all anything to make money and “acquire” supplies.

Desert Deterioration

Barker Ranch - The building complex was heavily vegetated with trees, with a sparsely planted understory. Note the Charles Milles Maddox bus in the left hand side of the image. View northwest, 1969 (DEVA collection). - NPS
Barker Ranch – The building complex was heavily vegetated with trees, with a sparsely planted understory. Note the Manson bus in the left hand side of the image. View northwest, 1969 (DEVA collection). – NPS

After the Tate-La Bianca murder in August of 1969, Charles Milles Maddox and his cult travelled back up to Goler Wash. This time he setup operations around Barker Ranch. Paul Watkins was a former follower who left the family before the murders. His book is fascinating.

Prior to Charlies arrival, Watkins and some prospectors where living at Barker Ranch. Watkins received guidance from a prospector named Crockett who helped Watkins leave the family. Manson knew of Crockett’s influence over Watkins and recognize an adversary. Upon his arrival, Manson asked permission to enter the area. As Watkins et al where living in Barker Ranch, the Manson Cult moved into the Myers Ranch.

Over the next few weeks, Charlie Manson continued his mental downward spiral. At the time, the neighbors at Barker Ranch knew Charlie was dangerous, however did not know about his guilt in the Los Angeles Murders. Crockett would have philosophical conversations and push the boundaries of Manson. This prompted the unstable Manson to come visiting the occupants at Barker ranch in the middle of the night. On at least two attempts he was caught trying to sneak into the ranch house while the occupants slept. He was greeted with the muzzle of a shotgun and left into the night.

Manson is said to have driven around the area of the Panamint mountains and Death Valley looking for a hole in the earth. These excursions opened the door into the capture of the psychopath. During this time he continued to prepare for a racial war he thought was coming.

Investigation

Jim Pursell at the Manson Trial, L.A. Superior Courthouse, 1970
Jim Pursell at the Manson Trial, L.A. Superior Courthouse, 1970

The beginning of the end for Manson started with a report of a fire on a Michigan front loader out at Racetrack valley. The front loader was moved to the playa in Race Track Valley to repair damage to the playa surface by off-roaders. On September 19th, 1969, Manson ordered the some family members to burn the machine because he construed it to be the device of environmental damage. Oddly enough, it was there to repair environmental damage…. This decision by Manson set in place a series of events which led to his capture and a life time in jail.

Inyo County officials were extremely upset about the loss of their newly acquired $35,000 earth moving equipment. They quickly dispatch officers and launched an investigation.

Park Rangers arrived at the scene of the fire sometime later. They noted several tire tracks leading away from the fire. One set of tire tracks belonged to a Toyota Land Cruiser. Follow up investigation included reports of a Red Toyota Land Cruiser driving around in the area. It was reported this Red Land Cruiser is driven by some hippies who lived up at Barker Ranch.

October 9th, 1969

On October 9th, CHP Officer Jim Pursell and Park Ranger Dick Powell drove up to Barker Ranch approaching from Mengel Pass. They ran into two of Mason’s girls and lacking evidence moved on down Goler Wash. In doing so, the came across Brooks Poston and Paul Crocket. When questioned why he was hauling supplies for the groupd Crocket replied, ‘‘I think my life might depend on it.’

The two men are instructed to return to Barker Ranch. On questioning about Manson, Brooks and Crocket told the two men about the families activity. According to Paul Watkins, Crocket left the ranch for fear of Manson was going to attract law enforcement. This event s probably because Crockett told law enforcement. Pursell noted that a VW was hidden beneath a purple nylon parachute beneath a trash heap. nd recorded the VIN number.

The two men left the ranch again and travelled down Goler Wash they stopped at a draw. Dick Powell started up the draw and was soon within a group of naked young women, one of who is Squeaky Fromme. Fromme claimed to be part of a girl scout troup from San Francisco and with no other evidence, the two officers continued down the valley.

A Series of Raids

Enroute to Trona, the two law enforcement officers found out over the radio that the car was stolen and a predawn raid is slated for the following morning. Looking forward to a long night, the two men hand dinner in Ballarat before parking at the mouth of Goler Wash.

October 10th

The first raid took place on October 10th, 1969. Just before dawn, a small task force made up of officers from the California Highway Patrol, Inyo County Sheriff’s Department, and the National Parks Service maneuvered into position around Barker Ranch. The cult members had pilled rocks up along the road, which necessitated the officers travel on foot.

At first, it seemed the operation was a success. The task forced found several stolen cars and dune buggies. Weapons suchs a pistol, knives, food, gasoline, and other survivalist supplies confirmed that the cult was building a stronghold in the desert for the long haul. They arrested three men, ten girls, and two babies, one of them just a few weeks old. A count of the number of sleeping bags informed the task force they had not captured everyone involved.

October 12th

On the evening of October 12, the small force of park rangers headed back to Barker Ranch. From an observation point, the witnessed four people walking towards the cabin and entering the building. One of the people is covered head to tow in a buck skin outfit and obviously the leader.

The task forced stormed the ranch with guns drawn. The ordered the occupants inside to raise their hands. They met no resistance. The man dressed buckskin is nowhere to be found.

Charles Milles Maddox Capture

Barker Ranch, CCharles Milles Maddox’s hiding place  Vernon Merritt III Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock
Barker Ranch, Charles Manson’s hiding place Vernon Merritt III Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Following the raid, Jim Pursell search for the buckskin man. He enters the bathroom where is sees a very small cabinet. The door is slightly open and he notices a few long hairs sticking out. In the failing evening light, armed with a candle and a .357 revolver, Pursell noticed some fingers wiggling inside.

Pursell later recounted “I put the candle way down, and this figure starts unwinding and coming out. How he got into that cupboard, I’ll never know. He’s not big. I’ve had a lot of people ask me, ‘Why didn’t you shoot the son of a bitch?’ But again, we really didn’t know what we had, and you can’t just shoot somebody that climbs out of a little cupboard, and says [cheerily], ‘Hi! I was pointing the gun at him and told him exactly what I wanted him to do, and what not to do. ‘Make one wrong move and I’ll blow your head off.’ I ask his name, and he said, simply, ‘Charlie Manson.’ Right off. I led him out to the guys outside”

The raid of October 12th lead to arrest of six males and three more females. All in all the bravery of the CHP, INYO Sheriffs and Park Rangers led to the apprehension, conviction and sentencing of one of the worlds most notorious people, Charles Milles Maddox. The cult or family that Manson started literally killed many and ruined the lives of hundreds of people. The story of Mansons life in the Panamint Mountains of Death Valley is more fascinating that the typical most people will understand and his activities in Death Valley are far larger than “Barker Ranch.”

Manson’s Locations in and around Death Valley

Ballarat, California - Marriedtofilm at English Wikipedia - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by Malafaya using CommonsHelper.

Ballarat California – Inyo County Ghost Town

Ballarat, California Located in Inyo County, Ballarat California is a ghost town which supposedly has a few residents living their dream within the town. Ballarat…
This image, taken circa 1940, shows the main residence, workshop, retaining walls, and ornamental vegetation. Note the windmill located behind the workshop. View north (DEVA collection) - NPS

Barker Ranch

Thomason/Barker Ranch is a five-acre property within Death Valley National Park. This historic site is located off of Goler Wash in the southern Panamint Range…
Myers Ranch, Panamint Mountain

Myers Ranch

Myers Ranch is a privately owned ranch located in Goler Wash in the Panamint Mountains of Death Valley National Park, California. The forty acre ranch…
The Racing stones.

Racetrack Valley

TeaKettle Junction lets you know you are starting to get close to the Racetrack. Racetrack valley is a rough graded road which departs the Ubehebe…
Looking down at the Lippencott Mine Road from the Lippencott Mine, with Saline Valley in the distance.

Warm Springs Road

A short side trip from the Saline Valley Road to the Saline Valley Warm Springs in Death Valley National Park, California. The road is used…

References