{"id":4510,"date":"2024-04-24T05:13:05","date_gmt":"2024-04-24T05:13:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/?p=4510"},"modified":"2025-10-02T03:40:56","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T03:40:56","slug":"black-mountains","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/black-mountains\/","title":{"rendered":"Black Mountains and Inscription Canyon Petroglyphs"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-4510\" data-postid=\"4510\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-4510 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_3qy7115 tb_first tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-2 tb_16ej116 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_sf2q117    wow\" data-tf-animation=\"zoomIn\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><strong>The Black Mountains cover a very remote portion of the Mojave Desert northwest of Barstow and make a great one-day exploring trip.<\/strong>\u00a0 Our road trip starts on Harper Dry Lake (where Howard Hughes once tested aircraft), takes you into Black Canyon to look for petroglyphs, past an old stagecoach stop, through an area known for its opals, to Inscription Canyon with it\u2019s large collection of petroglyphs and, all along the way, you can enjoy the beautiful panoramic desert vistas.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-1 tb_3f0m118 last\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_fzuq118 image-top rounded drop-shadow  tf_mw wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInRightBig\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"225\" height=\"225\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtns.jpg\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-4512\" title=\"BlackMtns\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtns.jpg 225w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtns-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtns-192x192.jpg 192w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtns-978x978.jpg 978w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtns-280x280.jpg 280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/>    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_fbfa115 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_vndf118 first\">\n                    <!-- module callout -->\n<div  class=\"module ui module-callout tb_dgab722 button-bottom-center red  rounded embossed shadow wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInLeft\" data-tf-animation_delay=\"1\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <div class=\"callout-inner\">\n    <div class=\"callout-content tf_left\">\n        <h3 class=\"callout-heading\"><\/h3>\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            <strong>Click image<\/strong> to watch Virtual Video Tour and see viewer comments.\nThen come back to get the rest of the story.        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module callout -->\n<!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_bc99105 image-center bordered  tf_mw wow\" data-tf-animation=\"lightSpeedIn\" data-tf-animation_delay=\"1.5\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=05r21FiNtH8\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"977\" height=\"549\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/YouTubeBlackCynPetroglyph.jpg\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-7007\" title=\"YouTubeBlackCynPetroglyph\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/YouTubeBlackCynPetroglyph.jpg 977w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/YouTubeBlackCynPetroglyph-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/YouTubeBlackCynPetroglyph-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 977px) 100vw, 977px\" \/>        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_4bip119   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Trip Specs<\/h3>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_hnsf115 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_5klg120 first\">\n                    <!-- module callout -->\n<div  class=\"module ui module-callout tb_r2qw120  yellow  rounded shadow wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInUp\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <div class=\"callout-inner\">\n    <div class=\"callout-content tf_left\">\n        <h3 class=\"callout-heading\">Length<\/h3>\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            About 50 miles (80 km) one-way        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module callout -->\n<!-- module callout -->\n<div  class=\"module ui module-callout tb_lhfo120  yellow  rounded shadow wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInUp\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <div class=\"callout-inner\">\n    <div class=\"callout-content tf_left\">\n        <h3 class=\"callout-heading\">Attractions<\/h3>\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            <ul>\n<li>Petroglyphs<\/li>\n<li>Desert wetlands<\/li>\n<li>Drive over large dry lake<\/li>\n<li>Historical aviation site<\/li>\n<li>Opal mining area<\/li>\n<li>Long desert views<\/li>\n<li>Modern solar power plants<\/li>\n<\/ul>        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module callout -->\n        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_5rf9121 last\">\n                    <!-- module callout -->\n<div  class=\"module ui module-callout tb_3fvv121  yellow  rounded shadow wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInUp\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <div class=\"callout-inner\">\n    <div class=\"callout-content tf_left\">\n        <h3 class=\"callout-heading\">Difficulty<\/h3>\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            <ul>\n<li>High clearance vehicle, 4WD required<\/li>\n<li>Challenging to navigate<\/li>\n<li>Lots of side roads, easy to make a wrong turn<\/li>\n<li>Very remote area &#8211; cell phones will not work<\/li>\n<\/ul>        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module callout -->\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_j5pz115 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_ia8p121 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_20x3121   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p>As mentioned, this trip is in a very remote area so be sure you leave with a full day\u2019s supply of fuel, water and food.\u00a0 The last time we took this route, we left the pavement in the morning and our tires didn\u2019t touch pavement again until the sun was going down.\u00a0 Part of the route passes over Harper Dry Lake.\u00a0 If it has rained recently and the dry lake appears wet, do not attempt to cross it.\u00a0 Seek an alternate route around the lake or run our suggested route in reverse.<\/p>\n<h3>The\u00a0Trip<\/h3>\n<p>Our trip starts by heading north from the junction of Hwy 58 and Harper Lake Road. \u00a0If you are coming from I-15 and the Cajon Pass, take Route 66 to Silver Lakes\/Helendale, then take Helendale Road north to the junction. \u00a0Once at the junction of 58 and\u00a0Harper Lake Road, reset your odometer to zero.<\/p>\n<p>In 6 miles, you reach Lockhart Ranch Road.\u00a0 Just a quarter mile further used to stand the small community of Lockhart that supported a large family-owned ranch that was known for its quality beef.\u00a0 It once had a small store and several large buildings that supported the farming.\u00a0 The ranch has been replaced by another type of farm \u2013 solar.\u00a0 A large-scale solar power plant was built by an Israeli company in the late 1980s just north of the old community and is still operating today.\u00a0 In 2014, a Spanish company began building a much larger solar power plant which seems to stretch for many miles.\u00a0 Both plants use the same technology \u2013 parabolic mirrors concentrate the sun\u2019s rays onto a tube of liquid that becomes super-heated gas and turns a generator.<\/p>\n<h3>Harper Dry Lake<\/h3>\n<p>Heading east (turn right) on Lockhart Ranch Road, as you pass the countless fields of parabolic mirrors, Harper Dry Lake will come into view on the left.\u00a0 Located on the dry lake\u2019s shore are two wildlife viewing areas built by the BLM. \u00a0The first one is at 7.7 miles, the other one a half mile further. \u00a0The marshes here are popular with migrating birds.\u00a0 However, since the late 1990s, more water has been pumped out of the surrounding area and the marsh has decreased in size.<\/p>\n<p>Continue east on Lockhart Ranch Road, which is now dirt.\u00a0 To avoid driving onto the dry lake, you may have to follow a more improved road that leads off to the right just before the second viewing area.\u00a0 Continuing east will lead to a prominent road at about 10 miles from Hwy 58.\u00a0 This road goes straight north and south.\u00a0 Reset your odometer again to zero here, turn left (north) and start over the dry lake.\u00a0 Incidentally, most of these roads were plotted on our off-the-shelf Magellan GPS.<\/p>\n<p>It was on Harper Dry Lake that Howard Hughes tested his secret D-2 airplane in the 1940s.\u00a0 The lakebed also saw the first flight of aircraft using the \u201cflying wing\u201d design pioneered by Northrop, whose design was later in their B-2 bomber.\u00a0 It was also where the first flight by an American rocket-propelled airplane took place.<\/p>\n<p>Continue north on the arrow-straight road and you\u2019ll pass a lone, big athel tree on the left.\u00a0 Eventually you leave the lake bed and at 8.2 miles, you begin to enter Black Canyon and the Black Mountains.\u00a0 Even from Hwy 58, the stark, ancient lava\/basalt flow that is the Black Mountains stands out in the far distance.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_emvf649   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <div class=\"g g-11\"><div class=\"g-single a-29\"><a class=\"gofollow\" data-track=\"MjksMTEsNjA=\" title=\"BackRoadsWest.com\" href=\"https:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/brw\/geology-tour-st-george\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-2382 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Ad-800x500-GeologyTour2.gif\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_d4w1933   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Black\u00a0Canyon<\/h3>\n<p>Just after entering the canyon, there is a patch of petroglyphs on the left that are easy to spot. \u00a0The meaning of these etchings, along with the others you\u2019ll see in this trip, remains a mystery and are part of an intriguing puzzle that historians and archeologists have yet to put together.<\/p>\n<p>More petroglyphs can be found by exploring the half mile section from this point, including\u00a0both sides of the road. \u00a0They are easy to spot in the dark basalt rock. \u00a0One particular unique panel of petroglyphs is across the road from the main panel (near the small sign). \u00a0Here are petroglyphs of stick figures, most likely people, and sheep with bent rear legs (most sheep etchings have straight legs).<\/p>\n<p>Sadly, this is a site where petroglyphs have been removed, stolen and\/or vandalized. \u00a0If you look around, you&#8217;ll see rocks that appear to have been chipped. \u00a0This gives the parts of the rock a lighter color. \u00a0Petroglyphs\u00a0used to exist\u00a0where these\u00a0chipped rocks are today.<\/p>\n<p>There are also many &#8220;modern&#8221; petroglyphs. \u00a0Some are dated 1911 and 1947. \u00a0Most of these graffiti-like etchings were probably done by fools that felt they had to compete with the ancient ones.<\/p>\n<p>Although no known scientific dating has been performed on the etchings here, experts believe that these petroglyphs, and the ones you&#8217;ll see later at Inscription Canyon, are between 500-2,000 years old. \u00a0The band of Native Americans that are believed to have created these etchings are the named the Kawaiisu. \u00a0They lived in the nearby Tehachapi Mountains and the central Mojave Desert (where Black Canyon is located).<\/p>\n<p>Before reaching the next point of interest, the geology along Black Canyon changes from basalt rock to mudstone formations. \u00a0Eroded cliffs on the east\u00a0side of the road rise up about 100 feet. \u00a0Just beyond (east) of these cliffs and out of view from the road are the large basalt flows that makes up the Black Mountains.<\/p>\n<p>More&#8230;<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_vpx270   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Support Us<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Help us fill up our tank with gas for our next trip by donating $5 and we&#8217;ll bring you back more quality virtual tours of our trips!<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Your credit card payment is safe and easy using PayPal. Click the [Donate] button to get started:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><!-- Begin PayPal Donations by https:\/\/www.tipsandtricks-hq.com\/paypal-donations-widgets-plugin -->\n\n<form action=\"https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/cgi-bin\/webscr\" method=\"post\">\n    <div class=\"paypal-donations\">\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"cmd\" value=\"_donations\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"bn\" value=\"TipsandTricks_SP\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"business\" value=\"ilene@backroadswest.com\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"return\" value=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"item_name\" value=\"Help fund our travel cost to create more trips\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"item_number\" value=\"BackRoadsWest Blog Donation\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"amount\" value=\"5.00\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"rm\" value=\"0\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"currency_code\" value=\"USD\" \/>\n        <input type=\"image\" style=\"cursor: pointer;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.paypalobjects.com\/en_US\/i\/btn\/btn_donateCC_LG.gif\" name=\"submit\" alt=\"PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online.\" \/>\n        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.paypalobjects.com\/en_US\/i\/scr\/pixel.gif\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" \/>\n    <\/div>\n<\/form>\n<!-- End PayPal Donations -->\n<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_hisu767   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <div class=\"g g-3\"><div class=\"g-single a-9\"><a title=\"BackRoadsWest Travel Guides\" href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/brw\/death-valley\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-2382 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/AdDeathValley4.gif\" width=\"665\" height=\"200\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<h3>Pictures<\/h3>\n<p>Below are some pictures of what you will see along the way.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><div  class=\"module themify_builder_slider_wrap tf_clearfix module-slider tb_s9mb122  slider-caption-overlay  \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"themify_builder_slider tf_carousel tf_swiper-container tf_rel tf_overflow\" data-lazy=\"1\"        data-visible=\"1\"\n        data-tab-visible=\"\"\n        data-mob-visible=\"\"\n        data-scroll=\"1\"\n                            data-auto=\"4000\"\n            data-controller=\"0\"\n                data-pause_hover=\"1\"\n        data-speed=\"normal\"\n        data-wrapvar=\"1\"\n        data-slider_nav=\"1\"\n        data-pager=\"1\"\n        data-effect=\"scroll\"\n        data-height=\"variable\"\n        data-css_url=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/pinboard\/themify\/themify-builder\/css\/modules\/sliders\/carousel,http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/pinboard\/themify\/themify-builder\/css\/modules\/sliders\/slider\"\n                    >\n        <div class=\"tf_swiper-wrapper tf_lazy tf_rel tf_w tf_h tf_textc\">\n                         <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#1d395e 25%,#498cc1 25% 50%,#457faf 50% 75%,#4275a0 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#938062 25%,#98825d 25% 50%,#92795b 50% 75%,#a77d55 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#cfced4 25%,#e9e7e8 25% 50%,#75645a 50% 75%,#715740 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#c6bdbe 25%,#d3cfd0 25% 50%,#aeb0af 50% 75%,#c4bec2 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr1-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-4513\" title=\"Harper Dry Lake wildlife viewing area\" alt=\"Harper Dry Lake wildlife viewing area\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr1.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr1-300x169.jpg 300w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr1-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-4513\" title=\"Harper Dry Lake wildlife viewing area\" alt=\"Harper Dry Lake wildlife viewing area\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr1.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr1-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Harper Dry Lake<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#307fba 25%,#3489c2 25% 50%,#378cc3 50% 75%,#3488c4 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#3c2c1d 25%,#9d8c70 25% 50%,#b2a489 50% 75%,#afa187 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#968170 25%,#35271c 25% 50%,#b5aba1 50% 75%,#524036 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#5a4b44 25%,#a9998c 25% 50%,#b4a89c 50% 75%,#ac9c8c 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr2-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-4514\" title=\"Crossing Harper Dry Lake\" alt=\"Crossing Harper Dry Lake\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr2.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr2-300x169.jpg 300w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr2-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-4514\" title=\"Crossing Harper Dry Lake\" alt=\"Crossing Harper Dry Lake\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr2.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr2-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Getting ready to drive across Harper Dry Lake<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#5aafac 25%,#aebebd 25% 50%,#575c62 50% 75%,#91a3b1 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#212524 25%,#7f7262 25% 50%,#544e42 50% 75%,#685848 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#2c231a 25%,#483225 25% 50%,#8f989d 50% 75%,#463c3a 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#4c6a84 25%,#3b5c89 25% 50%,#334768 50% 75%,#b1af98 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr3-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-4515\" title=\"Petroglyphs at the mouth of Black Canyon\" alt=\"Petroglyphs at the mouth of Black Canyon\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr3.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr3-300x169.jpg 300w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr3-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-4515\" title=\"Petroglyphs at the mouth of Black Canyon\" alt=\"Petroglyphs at the mouth of Black Canyon\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr3.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr3-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Petroglyphs at the mouth of Black Canyon<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#857e78 25%,#504b47 25% 50%,#a8a499 50% 75%,#6b645a 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#828373 25%,#e0dfdb 25% 50%,#d7d2ce 50% 75%,#4a4643 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#655b5a 25%,#292114 25% 50%,#e1dad2 50% 75%,#9f9a96 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#aca89c 25%,#aaa69d 25% 50%,#9e958e 50% 75%,#a9a099 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr4-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-4516\" title=\"Stagecoach stop in Black Canyon\" alt=\"Stagecoach stop in Black Canyon\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr4.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr4-300x169.jpg 300w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr4-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-4516\" title=\"Stagecoach stop in Black Canyon\" alt=\"Stagecoach stop in Black Canyon\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr4.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr4-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Stagecoach stop in Black Canyon<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#63492e 25%,#38383a 25% 50%,#b4775a 50% 75%,#525662 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#080609 25%,#d9cda7 25% 50%,#393b26 50% 75%,#373a43 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#a4b0ae 25%,#57474a 25% 50%,#523434 50% 75%,#bc6e48 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#a4a8b4 25%,#3e454f 25% 50%,#975532 50% 75%,#585560 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr5-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-4517\" title=\"Rock lichens near Inscription Canyon\" alt=\"Rock lichens near Inscription Canyon\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr5.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr5-300x169.jpg 300w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr5-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-4517\" title=\"Rock lichens near Inscription Canyon\" alt=\"Rock lichens near Inscription Canyon\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr5.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr5-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Rock lichens near Inscription Canyon<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#ccc5b5 25%,#a9a196 25% 50%,#a09494 50% 75%,#9e8974 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#bcb0a4 25%,#897c74 25% 50%,#606166 50% 75%,#3d444e 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#5c5d4f 25%,#5d5759 25% 50%,#525358 50% 75%,#6d625c 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#455161 25%,#c1c8c1 25% 50%,#574d43 50% 75%,#534d4d 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr6-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-4518\" title=\"Petroglyphs at Inscription Canyon\" alt=\"Petroglyphs at Inscription Canyon\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr6.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr6-300x169.jpg 300w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr6-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-4518\" title=\"Petroglyphs at Inscription Canyon\" alt=\"Petroglyphs at Inscription Canyon\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr6.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr6-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Petroglyphs at Inscription Canyon<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#919bd8 25%,#b5c6d8 25% 50%,#716161 50% 75%,#746457 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#775150 25%,#493733 25% 50%,#372e31 50% 75%,#4a5060 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#8b9475 25%,#2f2526 25% 50%,#4a454b 50% 75%,#83747b 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#4d5f6b 25%,#3e353a 25% 50%,#3d3b3e 50% 75%,#2c3135 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr7-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-4519\" title=\"Petroglyphs at Inscription Canyon\" alt=\"Petroglyphs at Inscription Canyon\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr7.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr7-300x169.jpg 300w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr7-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-4519\" title=\"Petroglyphs at Inscription Canyon\" alt=\"Petroglyphs at Inscription Canyon\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr7.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr7-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Petroglyphs at Inscription Canyon<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>            <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_3gem115 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_w7kf122 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_qq80390   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p style=\"text-align: center;\">Help fund our next trip and your next adventure by purchasing a subscription to Gaia GPS. We will receive a small commission from your purchase.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/click.php?tool_type=ml&amp;merchant_link_id=8988a2bc-2458-428a-a722-9a326e4941c5&amp;website_id=cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener sponsored\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/gbi\/bd4517b4-b0f2-4660-8208-2ade3a1fdb4c\/8988a2bc-2458-428a-a722-9a326e4941c5\/a24ae5c1-c37a-45ea-b3f8-5480cc46d529\/cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\/image.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" \/><\/a><\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_5kiu123 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_fje1139   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<!-- Skyscraper160x600 --><br \/>\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7400034802659664\" data-ad-slot=\"8100341909\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins><br \/>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_1gln115 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_3oai123 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_mliv470   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<!-- Skyscraper160x600 --><br \/>\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7400034802659664\" data-ad-slot=\"8100341909\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins><br \/>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module divider -->\n<div  class=\"module tf_mw module-divider tb_xzou899 solid   \" style=\"border-width: 1px;border-color: #000;\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    <\/div>\n<!-- \/module divider -->\n<!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_jr5w124   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Stagecoach Stop<\/h3>\n<p>At about 12.7 miles, there will be a long and skinny cistern \u00a0made of rock and mortar on the left. \u00a0This is the remains of an old stagecoach stop. \u00a0The cistern was to water the horse team. \u00a0Located close by is the well that filled the cistern.<\/p>\n<p>This was one of a couple of stops along a road between the Cajon Pass and Panamint City near Death Valley. \u00a0During the 1870s, there was a silver rush on the west side of the Panamint Mountains near the ghost town of Ballarat. \u00a0The road through Black Canyon that you are traveling on was part of the stagecoach route.<\/p>\n<p>A short distance past the stagecoach stop is wildlife &#8220;guzzler&#8221;. \u00a0It is accessed via a restricted dirt road on the right. \u00a0It can be spotted from a topo map. \u00a0The area is restricted\u00a0as to not disturb the wildlife. \u00a0They\u00a0are designed to catch rainwater and divert it into a catch basin. \u00a0From the basin, birds and small animals have easy access to water. \u00a0Guzzlers are built by conservationists and sometimes, hunters. \u00a0There are 3-4 guzzlers located in the Black Mountains.<\/p>\n<h3>Scout&#8217;s Cove<\/h3>\n<p>At 13.6 miles, a road heading to the right leads to Scout&#8217;s Cove in about one mile. \u00a0Originally, this was the site of the Black Mountain Opal Company. \u00a0Since the 1940s, this\u00a0area, now renamed Scout&#8217;s Cove, has been popular with rock hounds and gem collectors.\u00a0 Green and orange opal used to be plentiful here, as was thomsonite, agate and jasper.\u00a0 Now however, this area is so picked over that you\u2019d be hard-pressed to find anything valuable. \u00a0If you are determined enough, you might find some precious nuggets.<\/p>\n<p>Scout&#8217;s Cove consists of a small valley with mounds of white rock. \u00a0It is the white rock that the opal and other gems are found. \u00a0If you look over the white mounds, many diggings will be found. \u00a0One of the mounds even has a small dugout that miners may have lived in.<\/p>\n<p>From Scout&#8217;s Cove, there are a few options to continue on. \u00a0Continuing north past Scout&#8217;s Cove will return you to Black Canyon\u00a0Road. \u00a0However, the last half mile of this road is rough and difficult but might be fun for people that enjoy challenging 4WD roads. \u00a0A quicker but longer route is to return to Black Canyon Road following the road you came in on, then turn right.<\/p>\n<p>Once back at Black Canyon Road following the way you came in (not using the rough 4WD route), reset your odometer to zero. \u00a0The road will hug the western and northern portion if the Black Mountains until the road is heading due east.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_r9jq367   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <div class=\"g g-11\"><div class=\"g-single a-28\"><a class=\"gofollow\" data-track=\"MjgsMTEsNjA=\" title=\"Snap Shots West\" href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/ssw\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-2382 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Ad-800x500-1b.gif\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_8hxo66   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Inscription Canyon<\/h3>\n<p>At 2.9 miles from the Scout&#8217;s Cove turnoff, take the road that branches to the right. \u00a0At this point, don&#8217;t miss the small panel of petroglyphs on the right, along with some very colorful rock lichen.<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;ve seen many rocks covered with lichen during our travels across the Mojave Desert. \u00a0Most are usually on basalt rock. \u00a0But we&#8217;ve never seen large patches of lichen with\u00a0such vivid colors as we&#8217;ve seen along here and at Inscription Canyon.<\/p>\n<p>At 3.6 miles, the entrance to Inscription Canyon is reached. \u00a0It\u00a0is aptly named because of all the etched petroglyphs found here.\u00a0 Supposedly there are about 1,000 of them. \u00a0It is one of the few petroglyph sites in California that includes classic drawings of big horn sheep.\u00a0 There are numerous designs, including patterns, wiggly lines and various shapes.\u00a0 Although the experts can\u2019t say exactly what they symbolize (except for the sheep), you can certainly take a guess as to what you think they are.\u00a0 We think that some look like baskets, or maybe snakes and one looks like an elaborate teapot.<\/p>\n<p>Interestingly, the canyon isn&#8217;t very long. \u00a0Unlike the entrance to Black Canyon we saw earlier, Inscription Canyon\u00a0didn&#8217;t seem like it would have been a through-traveled route. \u00a0To our knowledge, there is no spring or source of water close by. \u00a0There are other similar and longer canyons close by that have no petroglyphs. \u00a0So why was this place picked over other sites?<\/p>\n<p>One of the sheep etchings has an unusual red color surrounding it. \u00a0Although there are colorful lichens close by, none of the lichens are this color. \u00a0Unfortunately, this color was from red dye that was used by someone to create a &#8220;rubbing&#8221; of the petroglyph, which resulted in unintentional vandalism. \u00a0Hopefully, future visitors to this and other petroglyph sites will respect their historical significance and only view them and not touch them. \u00a0One can only hope&#8230;<\/p>\n<h3>Return to Civilization<\/h3>\n<p>There are a few options for returning to Civilization. \u00a0We opted to find Opal Mountain Road which leads to the paved Hinkley Road, which connects to Hwy 58 and Route 66. \u00a0An optional route is to visit the dry lake beds just east of Inscription Canyon and head to Barstow via Copper City Road.<\/p>\n<p>We opted to take Opal Mountain Road which passes by more small opal mines, dug into the\u00a0aptly named Opal Mountain. \u00a0It is a more direct route back to Hwy 58. \u00a0However, just after leaving Inscription Canyon, there are a few rough spots in the road where 4WD is required.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_ijt3388   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <div class=\"g g-11\"><div class=\"g-single a-28\"><a class=\"gofollow\" data-track=\"MjgsMTEsNjA=\" title=\"Snap Shots West\" href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/ssw\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-2382 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Ad-800x500-1b.gif\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_27f5134   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h2>Trip Map<\/h2>\n<p>To help plan your trip, use our interactive Google Map below. Be sure to switch to Satellite view to see the terrain.<\/p>\n<p>Most of the maps in the video were created using Gaia GPS. Click the ad below to purchase a Gaia GPS subscription and we&#8217;ll earn a few dollars to fund our next trip.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/click.php?tool_type=ml&amp;merchant_link_id=2efe71d3-5569-4c72-a69e-e9258881dd0a&amp;website_id=cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener sponsored\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/gbi\/bd4517b4-b0f2-4660-8208-2ade3a1fdb4c\/2efe71d3-5569-4c72-a69e-e9258881dd0a\/a24ae5c1-c37a-45ea-b3f8-5480cc46d529\/cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\/image.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"728\" height=\"90\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/map\/\">Learn more<\/a> about our maps.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module maps pro -->\n<div  id=\"tb_gc43124\" class=\"module module-maps-pro tb_gc43124 blackMtn-kmlLayer tf_lazy\" data-map-provider=\"google\" data-zoom=\"10\" data-type=\"SATELLITE\" data-address=\"35.056082, -117.271248\" data-scrollwheel=\"1\" data-draggable=\"enable\" data-disable_map_ui=\"\" data-polyline=\"\" data-geodesic=\"\" data-polylineStroke=\"2\" data-polylineColor=\"\" data-trigger=\"\" data-cluster=\"\" data-mapid=\"\" data-legacymarkers=\"\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"maps-pro-canvas-container\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"maps-pro-canvas\" style=\"width:100%;height:400px\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<template>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"34.924735, -117.329884\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tStart of trip\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"35.014312, -117.330844\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-info.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSite of Lockhart Ranch.  This is now part of a solar electric plant.\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"35.025803, -117.331863\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-info.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSolar electric plant built around 1989.\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"35.012752, -117.320483\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-info.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSolar electric plant built in 2015.\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"35.010581, -117.292800\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHarper Dry Lake wildlife viewing area\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"35.002928, -117.259825\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tLockhart Ranch Road intersects with road that heads north and crosses Harper Dry Lake.<br \/>Turn left (north) here.\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"35.122327, -117.255250\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tApproximate area of Black Canyon petroglyphs\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"35.166766, -117.232027\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tStagecoach stop\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"35.166289, -117.225077\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-info.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWildlife &#8220;guzzler&#8221;\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"35.185744, -117.211424\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tScout&#8217;s Cove\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"35.206858, -117.200192\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tBear left at this fork.  Rock lichens &amp; petroglyphs on the right.\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"35.198607, -117.193325\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tInscription Canyon\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"35.154445, -117.191290\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tReturn route via Opal Mountain Road\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"34.921873, -117.189003\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tEnd of trip at Hinkley Rd &amp; Hwy 58\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/template>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n<!-- \/module maps pro -->\n<!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_tc4r678   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Comments<\/h3>\n<p>Read and leave comments about this post on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=05r21FiNtH8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_gnvd115 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_4t9a124 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_3laf124   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Support Us<\/h3><p>Help us fill up our tank with gas for our next trip by donating $5 and we&#8217;ll bring you back more quality virtual tours of our trips!<\/p><p>Your credit card payment is safe and easy using PayPal. 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center;\"><em>See all our comprehensive virtual tour guides at<\/em>:<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"BackRoadsWest\" href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/brw\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-2382 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/BRWlogo-300x40.jpg\" alt=\"BRWlogo\" width=\"300\" height=\"40\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/BRWlogo-300x40.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/BRWlogo.jpg 438w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_cle0375   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<!-- Short-wide --><br \/>\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:inline-block;width:728px;height:90px\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7400034802659664\" data-ad-slot=\"1662640655\"><\/ins><br \/>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module callout -->\n<div  class=\"module ui module-callout tb_y9zl126 button-bottom red  rounded gradient shadow wow\" data-tf-animation=\"rubberBand\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <div class=\"callout-inner\">\n    <div class=\"callout-content tf_left\">\n        <h3 class=\"callout-heading\">More Trips<\/h3>\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            Would you like to see more trips to the Mojave Desert?        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n                    <div class=\"callout-button tf_right tf_textr\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/category\/mojave-desert\/\" class=\"ui builder_button rounded gradient shadow yellow\">\n                <span class=\"tb_callout_text\">See more Mojave Desert trips<\/span>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module callout -->\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n<!--\/themify_builder_content-->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Black Mountains cover a very remote portion of the Mojave Desert northwest of Barstow and make a great one-day exploring trip.\u00a0 Our road trip starts on Harper Dry Lake (where Howard Hughes once tested aircraft), takes you into Black Canyon to look for petroglyphs, past an old stagecoach stop, through an area known for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4512,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28,6,23,25,10,32,14,17,19,20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4510","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-barstow","category-california","category-floraplants","category-historic","category-mojave-desert","category-native-american","category-road4wd","category-season-fall","category-season-spring","category-season-winter","has-post-title","has-post-date","has-post-category","has-post-tag","has-post-comment","has-post-author",""],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO 4.9.9 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Black Mountains cover a very remote area northwest of Barstow and known for Native American petroglyph sites, opal mines and is close to Harper Dry Lake.\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"max-image-preview:large\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Cliff Bandringa\"\/>\n\t<meta name=\"keywords\" content=\"black mountains,black canyon,inscription canyon,scouts cove,harper dry lake,howard hughes,lockhart ranch\" \/>\n\t<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/black-mountains\/\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"generator\" content=\"All in One SEO (AIOSEO) 4.9.9\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"BackRoadsWest Trips Blog | A new kind of travel guide for the 21st Century\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Black Mountains and Inscription Canyon Petroglyphs | BackRoadsWest Trips Blog\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Black Mountains cover a very remote area northwest of Barstow and known for Native American petroglyph sites, opal mines and is close to Harper Dry 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03:39:21","updated":"2026-05-13 18:41:56","seo_analyzer_scan_date":null},"aioseo_breadcrumb":"<div class=\"aioseo-breadcrumbs\"><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\" title=\"Home\">Home<\/a>\n\t\t<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb-separator\">&raquo;<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/category\/california\/\" title=\"California\">California<\/a>\n\t\t<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb-separator\">&raquo;<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb\">\n\t\t\tBlack Mountains and Inscription Canyon Petroglyphs\n\t\t<\/span><\/div>","aioseo_breadcrumb_json":[{"label":"Home","link":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog"},{"label":"California","link":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/category\/california\/"},{"label":"Black Mountains and Inscription Canyon Petroglyphs","link":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/black-mountains\/"}],"builder_content":"<p><strong>The Black Mountains cover a very remote portion of the Mojave Desert northwest of Barstow and make a great one-day exploring trip.<\/strong>\u00a0 Our road trip starts on Harper Dry Lake (where Howard Hughes once tested aircraft), takes you into Black Canyon to look for petroglyphs, past an old stagecoach stop, through an area known for its opals, to Inscription Canyon with it\u2019s large collection of petroglyphs and, all along the way, you can enjoy the beautiful panoramic desert vistas.<\/p>\n<img src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtns.jpg\" title=\"BlackMtns\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtns.jpg 225w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtns-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtns-192x192.jpg 192w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtns-978x978.jpg 978w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtns-280x280.jpg 280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/>\n<h3><\/h3> <strong>Click image<\/strong> to watch Virtual Video Tour and see viewer comments. Then come back to get the rest of the story.\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=05r21FiNtH8\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/YouTubeBlackCynPetroglyph.jpg\" title=\"YouTubeBlackCynPetroglyph\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/YouTubeBlackCynPetroglyph.jpg 977w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/YouTubeBlackCynPetroglyph-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/YouTubeBlackCynPetroglyph-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 977px) 100vw, 977px\" \/> <\/a>\n<h3>Trip Specs<\/h3>\n<h3>Length<\/h3> About 50 miles (80 km) one-way\n<h3>Attractions<\/h3> <ul> <li>Petroglyphs<\/li> <li>Desert wetlands<\/li> <li>Drive over large dry lake<\/li> <li>Historical aviation site<\/li> <li>Opal mining area<\/li> <li>Long desert views<\/li> <li>Modern solar power plants<\/li> <\/ul>\n<h3>Difficulty<\/h3> <ul> <li>High clearance vehicle, 4WD required<\/li> <li>Challenging to navigate<\/li> <li>Lots of side roads, easy to make a wrong turn<\/li> <li>Very remote area - cell phones will not work<\/li> <\/ul>\n<p>As mentioned, this trip is in a very remote area so be sure you leave with a full day\u2019s supply of fuel, water and food.\u00a0 The last time we took this route, we left the pavement in the morning and our tires didn\u2019t touch pavement again until the sun was going down.\u00a0 Part of the route passes over Harper Dry Lake.\u00a0 If it has rained recently and the dry lake appears wet, do not attempt to cross it.\u00a0 Seek an alternate route around the lake or run our suggested route in reverse.<\/p> <h3>The\u00a0Trip<\/h3> <p>Our trip starts by heading north from the junction of Hwy 58 and Harper Lake Road. \u00a0If you are coming from I-15 and the Cajon Pass, take Route 66 to Silver Lakes\/Helendale, then take Helendale Road north to the junction. \u00a0Once at the junction of 58 and\u00a0Harper Lake Road, reset your odometer to zero.<\/p> <p>In 6 miles, you reach Lockhart Ranch Road.\u00a0 Just a quarter mile further used to stand the small community of Lockhart that supported a large family-owned ranch that was known for its quality beef.\u00a0 It once had a small store and several large buildings that supported the farming.\u00a0 The ranch has been replaced by another type of farm \u2013 solar.\u00a0 A large-scale solar power plant was built by an Israeli company in the late 1980s just north of the old community and is still operating today.\u00a0 In 2014, a Spanish company began building a much larger solar power plant which seems to stretch for many miles.\u00a0 Both plants use the same technology \u2013 parabolic mirrors concentrate the sun\u2019s rays onto a tube of liquid that becomes super-heated gas and turns a generator.<\/p> <h3>Harper Dry Lake<\/h3> <p>Heading east (turn right) on Lockhart Ranch Road, as you pass the countless fields of parabolic mirrors, Harper Dry Lake will come into view on the left.\u00a0 Located on the dry lake\u2019s shore are two wildlife viewing areas built by the BLM. \u00a0The first one is at 7.7 miles, the other one a half mile further. \u00a0The marshes here are popular with migrating birds.\u00a0 However, since the late 1990s, more water has been pumped out of the surrounding area and the marsh has decreased in size.<\/p> <p>Continue east on Lockhart Ranch Road, which is now dirt.\u00a0 To avoid driving onto the dry lake, you may have to follow a more improved road that leads off to the right just before the second viewing area.\u00a0 Continuing east will lead to a prominent road at about 10 miles from Hwy 58.\u00a0 This road goes straight north and south.\u00a0 Reset your odometer again to zero here, turn left (north) and start over the dry lake.\u00a0 Incidentally, most of these roads were plotted on our off-the-shelf Magellan GPS.<\/p> <p>It was on Harper Dry Lake that Howard Hughes tested his secret D-2 airplane in the 1940s.\u00a0 The lakebed also saw the first flight of aircraft using the \u201cflying wing\u201d design pioneered by Northrop, whose design was later in their B-2 bomber.\u00a0 It was also where the first flight by an American rocket-propelled airplane took place.<\/p> <p>Continue north on the arrow-straight road and you\u2019ll pass a lone, big athel tree on the left.\u00a0 Eventually you leave the lake bed and at 8.2 miles, you begin to enter Black Canyon and the Black Mountains.\u00a0 Even from Hwy 58, the stark, ancient lava\/basalt flow that is the Black Mountains stands out in the far distance.<\/p>\n<p>[adrotate group=\"11\"]<\/p>\n<h3>Black\u00a0Canyon<\/h3> <p>Just after entering the canyon, there is a patch of petroglyphs on the left that are easy to spot. \u00a0The meaning of these etchings, along with the others you\u2019ll see in this trip, remains a mystery and are part of an intriguing puzzle that historians and archeologists have yet to put together.<\/p> <p>More petroglyphs can be found by exploring the half mile section from this point, including\u00a0both sides of the road. \u00a0They are easy to spot in the dark basalt rock. \u00a0One particular unique panel of petroglyphs is across the road from the main panel (near the small sign). \u00a0Here are petroglyphs of stick figures, most likely people, and sheep with bent rear legs (most sheep etchings have straight legs).<\/p> <p>Sadly, this is a site where petroglyphs have been removed, stolen and\/or vandalized. \u00a0If you look around, you'll see rocks that appear to have been chipped. \u00a0This gives the parts of the rock a lighter color. \u00a0Petroglyphs\u00a0used to exist\u00a0where these\u00a0chipped rocks are today.<\/p> <p>There are also many \"modern\" petroglyphs. \u00a0Some are dated 1911 and 1947. \u00a0Most of these graffiti-like etchings were probably done by fools that felt they had to compete with the ancient ones.<\/p> <p>Although no known scientific dating has been performed on the etchings here, experts believe that these petroglyphs, and the ones you'll see later at Inscription Canyon, are between 500-2,000 years old. \u00a0The band of Native Americans that are believed to have created these etchings are the named the Kawaiisu. \u00a0They lived in the nearby Tehachapi Mountains and the central Mojave Desert (where Black Canyon is located).<\/p> <p>Before reaching the next point of interest, the geology along Black Canyon changes from basalt rock to mudstone formations. \u00a0Eroded cliffs on the east\u00a0side of the road rise up about 100 feet. \u00a0Just beyond (east) of these cliffs and out of view from the road are the large basalt flows that makes up the Black Mountains.<\/p> <p>More...<\/p>\n<h3>Support Us<\/h3> <p style=\"text-align: left;\">Help us fill up our tank with gas for our next trip by donating $5 and we'll bring you back more quality virtual tours of our trips!<\/p> <p style=\"text-align: left;\">Your credit card payment is safe and easy using PayPal. Click the [Donate] button to get started:<\/p> <p style=\"text-align: center;\">[paypal-donation]<\/p>\n<p>[adrotate group=\"3\"]<\/p> <h3>Pictures<\/h3> <p>Below are some pictures of what you will see along the way.<\/p>\n<img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#1d395e 25%,#498cc1 25% 50%,#457faf 50% 75%,#4275a0 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#938062 25%,#98825d 25% 50%,#92795b 50% 75%,#a77d55 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#cfced4 25%,#e9e7e8 25% 50%,#75645a 50% 75%,#715740 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#c6bdbe 25%,#d3cfd0 25% 50%,#aeb0af 50% 75%,#c4bec2 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr1-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"Harper Dry Lake wildlife viewing area\" alt=\"Harper Dry Lake wildlife viewing area\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr1.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr1-300x169.jpg 300w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr1-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"Harper Dry Lake wildlife viewing area\" alt=\"Harper Dry Lake wildlife viewing area\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr1.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr1-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> Harper Dry Lake <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#307fba 25%,#3489c2 25% 50%,#378cc3 50% 75%,#3488c4 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#3c2c1d 25%,#9d8c70 25% 50%,#b2a489 50% 75%,#afa187 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#968170 25%,#35271c 25% 50%,#b5aba1 50% 75%,#524036 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#5a4b44 25%,#a9998c 25% 50%,#b4a89c 50% 75%,#ac9c8c 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr2-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"Crossing Harper Dry Lake\" alt=\"Crossing Harper Dry Lake\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr2.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr2-300x169.jpg 300w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr2-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"Crossing Harper Dry Lake\" alt=\"Crossing Harper Dry Lake\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr2.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr2-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> Getting ready to drive across Harper Dry Lake <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#5aafac 25%,#aebebd 25% 50%,#575c62 50% 75%,#91a3b1 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#212524 25%,#7f7262 25% 50%,#544e42 50% 75%,#685848 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#2c231a 25%,#483225 25% 50%,#8f989d 50% 75%,#463c3a 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#4c6a84 25%,#3b5c89 25% 50%,#334768 50% 75%,#b1af98 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr3-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"Petroglyphs at the mouth of Black Canyon\" alt=\"Petroglyphs at the mouth of Black Canyon\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr3.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr3-300x169.jpg 300w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr3-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"Petroglyphs at the mouth of Black Canyon\" alt=\"Petroglyphs at the mouth of Black Canyon\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr3.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr3-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> Petroglyphs at the mouth of Black Canyon <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#857e78 25%,#504b47 25% 50%,#a8a499 50% 75%,#6b645a 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#828373 25%,#e0dfdb 25% 50%,#d7d2ce 50% 75%,#4a4643 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#655b5a 25%,#292114 25% 50%,#e1dad2 50% 75%,#9f9a96 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#aca89c 25%,#aaa69d 25% 50%,#9e958e 50% 75%,#a9a099 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr4-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"Stagecoach stop in Black Canyon\" alt=\"Stagecoach stop in Black Canyon\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr4.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr4-300x169.jpg 300w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr4-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"Stagecoach stop in Black Canyon\" alt=\"Stagecoach stop in Black Canyon\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr4.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr4-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> Stagecoach stop in Black Canyon <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#63492e 25%,#38383a 25% 50%,#b4775a 50% 75%,#525662 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#080609 25%,#d9cda7 25% 50%,#393b26 50% 75%,#373a43 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#a4b0ae 25%,#57474a 25% 50%,#523434 50% 75%,#bc6e48 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#a4a8b4 25%,#3e454f 25% 50%,#975532 50% 75%,#585560 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr5-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"Rock lichens near Inscription Canyon\" alt=\"Rock lichens near Inscription Canyon\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr5.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr5-300x169.jpg 300w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr5-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"Rock lichens near Inscription Canyon\" alt=\"Rock lichens near Inscription Canyon\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr5.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr5-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> Rock lichens near Inscription Canyon <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#ccc5b5 25%,#a9a196 25% 50%,#a09494 50% 75%,#9e8974 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#bcb0a4 25%,#897c74 25% 50%,#606166 50% 75%,#3d444e 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#5c5d4f 25%,#5d5759 25% 50%,#525358 50% 75%,#6d625c 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#455161 25%,#c1c8c1 25% 50%,#574d43 50% 75%,#534d4d 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr6-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"Petroglyphs at Inscription Canyon\" alt=\"Petroglyphs at Inscription Canyon\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr6.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr6-300x169.jpg 300w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr6-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"Petroglyphs at Inscription Canyon\" alt=\"Petroglyphs at Inscription Canyon\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr6.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr6-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> Petroglyphs at Inscription Canyon <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#919bd8 25%,#b5c6d8 25% 50%,#716161 50% 75%,#746457 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#775150 25%,#493733 25% 50%,#372e31 50% 75%,#4a5060 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#8b9475 25%,#2f2526 25% 50%,#4a454b 50% 75%,#83747b 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#4d5f6b 25%,#3e353a 25% 50%,#3d3b3e 50% 75%,#2c3135 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr7-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"Petroglyphs at Inscription Canyon\" alt=\"Petroglyphs at Inscription Canyon\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr7.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr7-300x169.jpg 300w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr7-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"Petroglyphs at Inscription Canyon\" alt=\"Petroglyphs at Inscription Canyon\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr7.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BlackMtnSldr7-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> Petroglyphs at Inscription Canyon\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Help fund our next trip and your next adventure by purchasing a subscription to Gaia GPS. We will receive a small commission from your purchase.<\/p> <p><a href=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/click.php?tool_type=ml&amp;merchant_link_id=8988a2bc-2458-428a-a722-9a326e4941c5&amp;website_id=cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener sponsored\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/gbi\/bd4517b4-b0f2-4660-8208-2ade3a1fdb4c\/8988a2bc-2458-428a-a722-9a326e4941c5\/a24ae5c1-c37a-45ea-b3f8-5480cc46d529\/cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\/image.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><br \/> <br \/> <ins style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7400034802659664\" data-ad-slot=\"8100341909\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins><br \/> <\/p>\n<p><br \/> <br \/> <ins style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7400034802659664\" data-ad-slot=\"8100341909\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins><br \/> <\/p>\n\n<h3>Stagecoach Stop<\/h3> <p>At about 12.7 miles, there will be a long and skinny cistern \u00a0made of rock and mortar on the left. \u00a0This is the remains of an old stagecoach stop. \u00a0The cistern was to water the horse team. \u00a0Located close by is the well that filled the cistern.<\/p> <p>This was one of a couple of stops along a road between the Cajon Pass and Panamint City near Death Valley. \u00a0During the 1870s, there was a silver rush on the west side of the Panamint Mountains near the ghost town of Ballarat. \u00a0The road through Black Canyon that you are traveling on was part of the stagecoach route.<\/p> <p>A short distance past the stagecoach stop is wildlife \"guzzler\". \u00a0It is accessed via a restricted dirt road on the right. \u00a0It can be spotted from a topo map. \u00a0The area is restricted\u00a0as to not disturb the wildlife. \u00a0They\u00a0are designed to catch rainwater and divert it into a catch basin. \u00a0From the basin, birds and small animals have easy access to water. \u00a0Guzzlers are built by conservationists and sometimes, hunters. \u00a0There are 3-4 guzzlers located in the Black Mountains.<\/p> <h3>Scout's Cove<\/h3> <p>At 13.6 miles, a road heading to the right leads to Scout's Cove in about one mile. \u00a0Originally, this was the site of the Black Mountain Opal Company. \u00a0Since the 1940s, this\u00a0area, now renamed Scout's Cove, has been popular with rock hounds and gem collectors.\u00a0 Green and orange opal used to be plentiful here, as was thomsonite, agate and jasper.\u00a0 Now however, this area is so picked over that you\u2019d be hard-pressed to find anything valuable. \u00a0If you are determined enough, you might find some precious nuggets.<\/p> <p>Scout's Cove consists of a small valley with mounds of white rock. \u00a0It is the white rock that the opal and other gems are found. \u00a0If you look over the white mounds, many diggings will be found. \u00a0One of the mounds even has a small dugout that miners may have lived in.<\/p> <p>From Scout's Cove, there are a few options to continue on. \u00a0Continuing north past Scout's Cove will return you to Black Canyon\u00a0Road. \u00a0However, the last half mile of this road is rough and difficult but might be fun for people that enjoy challenging 4WD roads. \u00a0A quicker but longer route is to return to Black Canyon Road following the road you came in on, then turn right.<\/p> <p>Once back at Black Canyon Road following the way you came in (not using the rough 4WD route), reset your odometer to zero. \u00a0The road will hug the western and northern portion if the Black Mountains until the road is heading due east.<\/p>\n<p>[adrotate group=\"11\"]<\/p>\n<h3>Inscription Canyon<\/h3> <p>At 2.9 miles from the Scout's Cove turnoff, take the road that branches to the right. \u00a0At this point, don't miss the small panel of petroglyphs on the right, along with some very colorful rock lichen.<\/p> <p>We've seen many rocks covered with lichen during our travels across the Mojave Desert. \u00a0Most are usually on basalt rock. \u00a0But we've never seen large patches of lichen with\u00a0such vivid colors as we've seen along here and at Inscription Canyon.<\/p> <p>At 3.6 miles, the entrance to Inscription Canyon is reached. \u00a0It\u00a0is aptly named because of all the etched petroglyphs found here.\u00a0 Supposedly there are about 1,000 of them. \u00a0It is one of the few petroglyph sites in California that includes classic drawings of big horn sheep.\u00a0 There are numerous designs, including patterns, wiggly lines and various shapes.\u00a0 Although the experts can\u2019t say exactly what they symbolize (except for the sheep), you can certainly take a guess as to what you think they are.\u00a0 We think that some look like baskets, or maybe snakes and one looks like an elaborate teapot.<\/p> <p>Interestingly, the canyon isn't very long. \u00a0Unlike the entrance to Black Canyon we saw earlier, Inscription Canyon\u00a0didn't seem like it would have been a through-traveled route. \u00a0To our knowledge, there is no spring or source of water close by. \u00a0There are other similar and longer canyons close by that have no petroglyphs. \u00a0So why was this place picked over other sites?<\/p> <p>One of the sheep etchings has an unusual red color surrounding it. \u00a0Although there are colorful lichens close by, none of the lichens are this color. \u00a0Unfortunately, this color was from red dye that was used by someone to create a \"rubbing\" of the petroglyph, which resulted in unintentional vandalism. \u00a0Hopefully, future visitors to this and other petroglyph sites will respect their historical significance and only view them and not touch them. \u00a0One can only hope...<\/p> <h3>Return to Civilization<\/h3> <p>There are a few options for returning to Civilization. \u00a0We opted to find Opal Mountain Road which leads to the paved Hinkley Road, which connects to Hwy 58 and Route 66. \u00a0An optional route is to visit the dry lake beds just east of Inscription Canyon and head to Barstow via Copper City Road.<\/p> <p>We opted to take Opal Mountain Road which passes by more small opal mines, dug into the\u00a0aptly named Opal Mountain. \u00a0It is a more direct route back to Hwy 58. \u00a0However, just after leaving Inscription Canyon, there are a few rough spots in the road where 4WD is required.<\/p>\n<p>[adrotate group=\"11\"]<\/p>\n<h2>Trip Map<\/h2> <p>To help plan your trip, use our interactive Google Map below. Be sure to switch to Satellite view to see the terrain.<\/p> <p>Most of the maps in the video were created using Gaia GPS. Click the ad below to purchase a Gaia GPS subscription and we'll earn a few dollars to fund our next trip.<\/p> <p><a href=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/click.php?tool_type=ml&amp;merchant_link_id=2efe71d3-5569-4c72-a69e-e9258881dd0a&amp;website_id=cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener sponsored\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/gbi\/bd4517b4-b0f2-4660-8208-2ade3a1fdb4c\/2efe71d3-5569-4c72-a69e-e9258881dd0a\/a24ae5c1-c37a-45ea-b3f8-5480cc46d529\/cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\/image.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"728\" height=\"90\" \/><\/a><\/p> <p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/map\/\">Learn more<\/a> about our maps.<\/p>\n<template> Start of trip Site of Lockhart Ranch. This is now part of a solar electric plant. Solar electric plant built around 1989. Solar electric plant built in 2015. Harper Dry Lake wildlife viewing area Lockhart Ranch Road intersects with road that heads north and crosses Harper Dry Lake.<br \/>Turn left (north) here. Approximate area of Black Canyon petroglyphs Stagecoach stop Wildlife \"guzzler\" Scout's Cove Bear left at this fork. Rock lichens &amp; petroglyphs on the right. Inscription Canyon Return route via Opal Mountain Road End of trip at Hinkley Rd &amp; Hwy 58 <\/template>\n<h3>Comments<\/h3> <p>Read and leave comments about this post on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=05r21FiNtH8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Support Us<\/h3><p>Help us fill up our tank with gas for our next trip by donating $5 and we'll bring you back more quality virtual tours of our trips!<\/p><p>Your credit card payment is safe and easy using PayPal. Click the [Donate] button to get started:<\/p><p>[paypal-donation]<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">Subscribe<\/h3> <p>[mc4wp_form]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>See all our comprehensive virtual tour guides at<\/em>:<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"BackRoadsWest\" href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/brw\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/BRWlogo-300x40.jpg\" alt=\"BRWlogo\" width=\"300\" height=\"40\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/BRWlogo-300x40.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/BRWlogo.jpg 438w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><br \/> <br \/> <ins style=\"display:inline-block;width:728px;height:90px\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7400034802659664\" data-ad-slot=\"1662640655\"><\/ins><br \/> <\/p>\n<h3>More Trips<\/h3> Would you like to see more trips to the Mojave Desert? <a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/category\/mojave-desert\/\"> See more Mojave Desert trips <\/a>","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4510","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4510"}],"version-history":[{"count":27,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4510\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7951,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4510\/revisions\/7951"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4512"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4510"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4510"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4510"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}