I love trip reports! You can learn so much about a place and what to expect by reading others' reports. And often, it is just plain fun reading, isn't it? I wanted to include some reports here.
If you are interested in taking a mule ride, you might want to read these individuals' reports on their experiences found on the following pages:
Wayne Ranney - Wayne is an instructor for the Grand Canyon Field Institue as well as for some other highly respected organizations. As a geologist, instructor, and guide with a great sense of humor, Wayne makes trips tons of fun! He leads trips throughout the world, although he is truly gifted in sharing his knowledge and passion of the Southwest. Check out his website to read trip journals and upcoming classes and trips.
During the month of November 2007, I was caretaking a historic ranch in the rocky highlands of Joshua Tree National Park! I was set up in a remote campsite at the entrance to Key's Ranch. The ranch was homesteaded at the beginning of the 1900s, and its exciting history included gold mining, cattle rustling, claim jumping, gunfights, murder, and even San Quentin prison! It is said that this episode in history at Joshua Tree was the "last breath of the Old West." Nobody goes away unimpressed! I've put together a slide show of some highlights of the ranch.
"When I was very young and the urge to be someplace was on me, I was assured by mature people that maturity would cure this itch. When years described me as mature, the remedy prescribed was middle age. In middle age I was assured that greater age would calm my fever and now that I am fifty-eight perhaps senility will do the job. Nothing has worked. . . In other words, I don't improve, in further words, once a bum always a bum. I fear the disease is incurable." - John Steinbeck