Between the BLKH2O Forks

[John Morrow]

Anyone ever notice a very neat looking miner's trail, switchbacking on gradient, between the Forks of Blackwater Spring and turning into the spring area?  Saw it on an 1885 topo (ListsofJohn) and then went to the GE layer and a major trail was indeed there!

   

It appears to have been a route from Furnace Cr to Harrisburg.

[MojaveGeek]

Yes, John, it is real. I've eyeballed it and like you say I assume it was the route from Harrisburg to Furnace. I'm guessing that especially on the route back up, I think the traveler would have wanted to grab a drink at the spring!

There was also a road down the Dry Fork from Harrisburg. The tracks are pretty clear heading up from Harrisburg, and there are some junk cars. It disappears over the ridge, but just following the obvious route down the Dry Fork wash at one point there is an old sign post (no sign at this point).

Where are the old topos on LoJ? I like finding old routes on them myself..

[John Morrow]

Yes, John, it is real.  I've eyeballed it and like you say I assume it was the route from Harrisburg to Furnace.  I'm guessing that especially on the route back up, I think the traveler would have wanted to grab a drink at the spring!

There was also a road down the Dry Fork from Harrisburg.  The tracks are pretty clear heading up from Harrisburg, and there are some junk cars.  It disappears over the ridge, but just following the obvious route down the Dry Fork wash at one point there is an old sign post (no sign at this point).

Where are the old topos on LoJ?  I like finding old routes on them myself..

https://listsofjohn.com/mapf?lat=47.3114...15&d=y&d=r

go to the map type drop down upper right and scroll to Hist 1885+.  I think the plus means anytime between 1885 and 1945.  This page is "full screen" view of any particular peak page map.

[Beardilocks]

Yep. I’ve hiked that trail actually. It’s pretty hard on the knees even going down, especially with a full pack. Lol. I’m not sure when the last miner used it but the burros are heavy users of it now. And unless you’re looking at a different trail, it heads more in the direction of Aguerreberry’s operation than Harrisburg. Although the naturalist at DV thought it was originally a Native American trail. The trail lower down through the wash is definitely older. I’ll post some pics in a minute if I can dig them up.

[Beardilocks]

Here's a few shots from the walk down the "Wet Trail" of BLKH2O.  At the time I hiked it (Feb 2020) the DV Naturalist said he had no info if the "Dry Trail" down the other fork was hikeable.  Thanks to everyone on here, we know that it probably is.  But we don't have anyone that has actually done it correct?

The old 1900 map is also available as a layer on Gaia.

Part of the old trail in the hanging valley around 5000ft.



Headed North out of the hanging valley.


Headed out onto the ridge on the North side of the spring.


Further out on the Ridge.  Hard to see in the photos but there's a distinct trail most of the way.  Sometimes several as not all the burros have the sense to follow the old original trail.  All of which can be seen on satellite, which is how I mapped out my route.  


Part way down to the spring.


Part of the old trail in BLKH2O wash.


One of the last remaining signs that hasn't been stolen yet.  

[John Morrow]

Here's a few shots from the walk down the "Wet Trail" of BLKH2O.  At the time I hiked it (Feb 2020) the DV Naturalist said he had no info if the "Dry Trail" down the other fork was hikeable.  Thanks to everyone on here, we know that it probably is.  But we don't have anyone that has actually done it correct?

That's awesome, nicely done!  Have you done other "lost" trails of the Park?  I like the looks of the trails dropping into Saline Valley from various points among many others.  Hope to do some of them some day while I still have legs for bigger vertical...

Did you check for surface water at the spring? How did you get talking to the "naturalist" with the knowledge of such a route?

[MojaveGeek]

That sign is awesome! And I'm very impressed that the trail still is very very clear down in the wash - I figured it would have been washed out. I like the reference to the old corduroy bridge too!

I've been some ways down the Dry Fork, starting at Harrisburg, on the old road to which I refer above. I believe this was also used as a route from Skidoo, as there is an old sign post in there (no sign) at the wash junction with the route down from Skidoo. On the way out, I went up that route, and then back to Harrisburg by following the Skidoo pipeline route. Lots of metal clamps and things along that, but no pipe segments.

[DAW89446]

The pipeline was reclaimed for scrap but there are still a few small sections left behind.

[TacoLand]

Amazing photos, thanks for sharing. I need to learn more about these "lost trails" ...

[DeathValleyDazed]

One of the last remaining signs that hasn't been stolen yet.  

Loving your photos and report. This sign post is so cool. Motivation for hiking from Furnace Creek across the Corduroy Bridge and up to Aquereberry Point and surrounding area.