Joshua Tree - Berdoo Canyon, Old Dale, Brooklyn Mine Trip Report

[inv3ctiv3]

Thanks to Nwoods and theksmith for all the suggestions!

The GF and I headed out towards Joshua Tree for the weekend, we came into the park via Berdoo Canyon Trail (an easy trail through a wash up into the park and a free way to get in and out just FYI) drove through the park to Old Dale/Brooklyn Mine and camped at "secret camp." Not really a secret by any means it's just up a wash and has been kept up by some people, there is a cave with supplies where you should always leave more than you take, a fire pit, lots of places to set tents up and a fireplace in one of the old buildings.

Berdoo Canyon:

Old Dale Mining District by Jim Bob Barnett, on Flickr

Old Dale Mining District by Jim Bob Barnett, on Flickr

Old Dale Mining District by Jim Bob Barnett, on Flickr

Old Dale Mining District by Jim Bob Barnett, on Flickr

Old Dale Mining District by Jim Bob Barnett, on Flickr

Looking south towards the park:

Old Dale Mining District by Jim Bob Barnett, on Flickr

My GF spotted this absolutely beautiful Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake (Crotalus Mitchellii Pyrrhus):

Old Dale Mining District by Jim Bob Barnett, on Flickr

Old Dale Mining District by Jim Bob Barnett, on Flickr

I **** with rattlesnakes but not spiders lol:

Old Dale Mining District by Jim Bob Barnett, on Flickr

Spent the next day exploring all the mines behind secret camp, the trail is rated moderate in the FunTreks books (Brooklyn Mine) and I wouldn't really say it was except for a couple of areas with very tight turns that are very rocky that can be washed out and steep, just be aware.

Old Dale Mining District by Jim Bob Barnett, on Flickr

Old Dale Mining District by Jim Bob Barnett, on Flickr

Looking down from Los Angeles Mine towards camp:

Old Dale Mining District by Jim Bob Barnett, on Flickr

Old Dale Mining District by Jim Bob Barnett, on Flickr

Old Dale Mining District by Jim Bob Barnett, on Flickr

Old Dale Mining District by Jim Bob Barnett, on Flickr

Chuckwalla!!

Old Dale Mining District by Jim Bob Barnett, on Flickr

Old Dale Mining District by Jim Bob Barnett, on Flickr

This cave was cool to explore, never found the end haha:

Old Dale Mining District by Jim Bob Barnett, on Flickr

Old Dale Mining District by Jim Bob Barnett, on Flickr

Old Dale Mining District by Jim Bob Barnett, on Flickr

Another camp people maintain:

Old Dale Mining District by Jim Bob Barnett, on Flickr

Old Dale Mining District by Jim Bob Barnett, on Flickr

 

[pluton]

Very nice photos. In early October, the NPS employees told us that Berdoo Canyon was impassable except by a rock crawler.

 

[inv3ctiv3]

Very nice photos. In early October, the NPS employees told us that Berdoo Canyon was impassable except by a rock crawler.

Hahaha they probably didn't want you to take it cause you can get in and out of the national park without paying (good!). There is one rocky section which is the first photo of my truck other than that it's just a dry wash, I hate the NPS so if you go back do it via Berdoo!


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[devero4]

Awesome photos. You are brave to be that close to that rattler. Looks like the Tarantulas we have in TX.

 

[inv3ctiv3]

Awesome photos. You are brave to be that close to that rattler. Looks like the Tarantulas we have in TX.

I love rattlesnakes and have the utmost respect for them.

 

[inv3ctiv3]

Threw together a little aerial video from the weekend:

 

[dsm02c]

Threw together a little aerial video from the weekend:

Looks like you're flying an Inspire 1? Great footage...

 

[inv3ctiv3]

Looks like you're flying an Inspire 1? Great footage...

Yup I love the inspire, used to have an f550 and it's a whole different game!


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[SDDiver5]

Awesome pics! Glad you had a good trip. Any sections a stock 4x4 truck couldn't handle?

 

[projected]

Very nice!

 

[inv3ctiv3]

Awesome pics! Glad you had a good trip. Any sections a stock 4x4 truck couldn't handle?

It depends on how low your 4x4 is, the back section of Brooklyn Mine (behind the Los Angeles Mine) has a couple of very sharp and steep turns, if you piled up boulders I'm sure you'd be ok just be aware there are a few spots with some bigger boulders you're gonna have to navigate through! *edit* i just noticed you have an F-150, I'm not sure how long it is but there is one turn specifically past the 2nd camp that goes to the furthest mine I'm not sure you could make it up due to length. I had to do like a 6pt turn while balancing on boulders but I have sliders and all that so I didn't really have to worry about it. That said, you can drive up to that turn and hike a very short distance to that last mine and explore that really deep cave, other than that you should be fine.

Very nice!

Thanks!

 

[Smksignals]

there is a thread here with a youtube video showing the history of the gold rose mine where you stayed. Video is in the first post -

http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...Mining-District-The-Journey-To-Gold-Rose-Mine

 

[1leglance]

Great pics and write up....
While I respect the snakes and spiders I prefer to not see them

I was in the area a few years ago , looks like I need to get the family back out there.
Thanks for taking us along.

 

[justcuz]

I believe your crew cab shortbed Toyota has a 141" WB. As big a Tacomas are these days, I can pretty much follow one anywhere they go with my 1993 Chevy Extracab shortbed. Same 141" WB.
The Chevy is a light duty 3/4 ton with 285/75x16 tires, a rear locker and I'm not afraid of dents!
A mildly built F150 would most likely make it.

Excellent write up and beautiful pictures, thanks.

After El Niño I may have to go out and look for Bill Ewasko.

 

[projected]

I believe your crew cab shortbed Toyota has a 141" WB.

A "short bed" on a midsized truck is 5' which is what the OP has with a 127ish wheelbase. The wheelbase you mentioned is for a crew cab with a 6' "long bed" on a midsize truck.