On one of my recent walks at higher elevation, I noticed a playa off in the distance that I had never seen before.  I’d driven right past it dozens of times but never saw a hint of it.  From my high vantage point I could see it was surrounded on all sides by small hills, making it virtually invisible to passers by.  

So I had to check it out!

Not a single footprint or other sign anyone’s been here in a very long time.  I did see what could have been a set of 1930s era tire tracks.  At the moment I thought “no way, that’s ridiculous”. Now I wish I’d taken a photo at least.  Lol.  






There were 2 of these post that I noticed.  Sort of on opposite sides of the lakebed.  No clue what they once might have said.  But they were quite old.  








Benchmark nearby


Stunning mountain. 


Really interesting rocks nearby 


Found several of these which I couldn’t identify at the time.  Turns out they’re bullet clips for belt fed machine guns.  They must go with the 50cal shells all over the lake as well…


I tried to obfuscate the location the best I could.  If anyone thinks any photo in particular makes it too easy to find, please tell me and I’ll delete it.  I’d hate to see this become a new tourist destination since it’s so close to an easy road.

Is that mountain green? Is that mineral or plants?

MojaveGeek, nice to know there's other fossils about

In regards to LeMoigne, years ago I bought one of those books - collections of research papers - at the Visitors Center that had a piece on Wagons in Death Valley (I believe). This is where I saw it referred to as LeMoigne's wagon. I've read other stories about it but I've never seen a historic photo of LeMoigne with a wagon. The book's buried in one of our bookcases. I should dig it out.....

(2023-01-10, 02:33 PM)netllama Wrote: Is that mountain green?  Is that mineral or plants?

Green-ish yes.  It really popped on a cloudy day like I had.  It’s definitely mineral not vegetable.

(2023-01-10, 02:35 PM)ski3pin Wrote: MojaveGeek, nice to know there's other fossils about

In regards to LeMoigne, years ago I bought one of those books - collections of research papers - at the Visitors Center that had a piece on Wagons in Death Valley (I believe). This is where I saw it referred to as LeMoigne's wagon. I've read other stories about it but I've never seen a historic photo of LeMoigne with a wagon. The book's buried in one of our bookcases. I should dig it out.....

So many gems in old literature.  I’m developing a rather extensive collection that really don’t have room for.  😁

Is that the playa off to the east of Harry Wade Road?

(2023-01-10, 02:38 PM)Beardilocks Wrote:

(2023-01-10, 02:35 PM)ski3pin Wrote: MojaveGeek, nice to know there's other fossils about

In regards to LeMoigne, years ago I bought one of those books - collections of research papers - at the Visitors Center that had a piece on Wagons in Death Valley (I believe). This is where I saw it referred to as LeMoigne's wagon. I've read other stories about it but I've never seen a historic photo of LeMoigne with a wagon. The book's buried in one of our bookcases. I should dig it out.....

So many gems in old literature.  I’m developing a rather extensive collection that really don’t have room for.  😁

Id like to know more about the literature you and ski3pin use to find treasures in DV. Do you have recomendations?

(2023-01-10, 05:10 PM)Daymoth Wrote:

(2023-01-10, 02:38 PM)Beardilocks Wrote:

(2023-01-10, 02:35 PM)ski3pin Wrote: MojaveGeek, nice to know there's other fossils about

In regards to LeMoigne, years ago I bought one of those books - collections of research papers - at the Visitors Center that had a piece on Wagons in Death Valley (I believe). This is where I saw it referred to as LeMoigne's wagon. I've read other stories about it but I've never seen a historic photo of LeMoigne with a wagon. The book's buried in one of our bookcases. I should dig it out.....

So many gems in old literature.  I’m developing a rather extensive collection that really don’t have room for.  😁

Id like to know more about the literature you and ski3pin use to find treasures in DV. Do you have recomendations?

Likely threads in the archives here regarding best books. Here's a thread with hundreds of books over at the Panamint Valley.com site.

Book Lists - PanamintValley.com

(2023-01-10, 02:31 PM)Beardilocks Wrote: I tried to obfuscate the location the best I could.  If anyone thinks any photo in particular makes it too easy to find, please tell me and I’ll delete it.  I’d hate to see this become a new tourist destination since it’s so close to an easy road.

Looks like a pretty cool place. I haven't figured out where it is so I don't think you've revealed too much!
I have seen clips like that while wandering around on approaches to the Owlsheads, and plenty of those big shells out there too.

(2023-01-10, 02:31 PM)Beardilocks Wrote: Found several of these which I couldn’t identify at the time.  Turns out they’re bullet clips for belt fed machine guns.  They must go with the 50cal shells all over the lake as well…

Ah, bullet clips!  I found one of these near the summit of owlhead benchmark and thought it was an old hinge.  I couldn't fathom what somebody was doing so far up a mountain with a piece of equipment that had such a large hinge on it.