Not quite urban exploration, but exploration nonetheless. I've always found ghost towns and mines to be particularly fascinating, so I will be planning expeditions into the deserts in the coming months.

Here's my coverage of the Lost Horse Mine up in Joshua Tree National Park, including the hike up to the mine itself.

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These next few photos stress the importance of minding your surroundings.

There were lots of rusted cables all over the place. I was careful about where I was walking, and yet...

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This little guy managed to surprise me. Look how much he resembles the cabling in the previous photo.

Now, I also surprised him, because he quickly retreated into the shade to take up a defensive coil. But I could just as easily have stepped on him.

Always mind your surroundings.

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The mine was fenced off, but when has that ever stopped people like us?

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Nice shots, and welcome to the forums!

Love all the "rural" explores--and it seems like you've found quite a fair share of stuff not usually seen around here.

I see you had no trouble finding the little crawl-under in the fence there. If you are in that area again and want to check out some of the other mines near Joshua Tree feel free to PM me. I currently live just North of the park by 29 Palms, so this area is pretty much my backyard.

Nice pictures too, by the way!

Nice workings! I have a special affection for old stamp mills. They are getting pretty rare to find out in the wild. Glad that your interaction with the snake turned out well. I've only kicked up one rattler in my expeditions, but we darn near stepped on him as he was sunning himself. Ours never did get excited or coil up. He simply wandered off and down a nearby hole.

Abby Normal

Awesome,been planing a trip for sometime lots to see out that way

Thanks everyone. I had a blast hiking up there, and the rattlesnake encounter made for a good story with which to freak out my grandma.

I plan on taking many more trips to JT, the Mojave, Death Valley, and beyond, so stay tuned this summer. It's no exaggeration to say that I've really been bitten hard by the exploration bug.