Bandit's Den
This is a pic I took of the "Bandit's Den" out in the desert near Joshua Tree, CA. I found it while out exploring some old trails.
In the late 1890's cattle rustlers were active in this area of the high desert and frequently made their camps and hideaways in these deserted and remote rocky places. This one was the site of a famous gunfight between local ranchers and the rustlers. Not much of the campsite remains except for a few old fire rings and scorched rocks where they built fires to heat the brands they were switching on some of the cattle.
I found a few obvious bullet nicks in the rocks, but no shell casings. I want to go back with a metal detector and see what I can find. Might be some interesting things got dropped in the heat of the shoot out.
This angle was taken from the down hill side that the ranchers would of approached from. Notice how the boulders form a neat little battlement to hide behind and fire from. I wouldn't of wanted to been down range from that position.
I heard a few names mentioned in relation to the identity of some of the rustlers, but I don't want to post them as some of the families still live in the area. I wouldn't want to libel anyone.
Besides, one of the basic tenets of desert exploring is.....mind your own business, pardner!
DB
Posted: Thursday 15th September 2005, 2:15 PM
Back to the Blog