In early 2026, I visited the Osborne Cabin of the Surprise Mine. There, I found a mildew-infested register containing a history of the folks who had visited since 2002, as well as some of the work that had been done to the cabin after it was adopted. In this case, not all of the entries are pleasant - and some are downright disgusting - but I always like to archive this sort of information, as there's no telling when it will be "borrowed" from the cabin or otherwise meet some untimely demise.
I will transcribe as I have time.
If you've been to the Osborne Cabin, I'd love to hear your story in the comments below.
The [illegible] Trip 9/12/02
Weather was nice and not too
much was done with cleaning
the place up [illegible] a floor/[illegible]
all first [illegible] place/[illegible]
cleaned up all the buildings
[illegible] around the main
[illegible] in the roofs
and the outhouse [illegible] installed/[illegible]
Pink [illegible]
Great [illegible] great weather
and a great time [illegible]
8/6/[19?] — Didn't know this cabin was here!
Out exploring — Dennis & Kriss [illegible]
[margin note: 2 boys]
Team Neanderthal
Camp In — M-I — Joe P — Chris
Jenny kids ride again!
[Illegible] & Dana made an appearance on behalf of FOMC for May 11-12, 20[02]
inaugural work party. We got a lot done, made some good
[illegible] etc some good food! We'll be back.
http://www.geocities.com/fomc_1999
Lycia de Jesus
Dana Cuellette for [FOMC]
Whoo Hoo! Lois
Scootertrash — ECV Bodie 64!
cahrepq@aol.com
PLEASE MAINTAIN & KEEP CLEAN!
ENJOY MY NEW FRIENDS
Scott W[illegible] — Long Beach
Brad Moffet Kyle Dionne
Troy Harper
Danny Poston!
4-23 June 03 — Visited cabin with crew — built the fire, cleaned up site.
Rich [illegible] — Mountainman-Tom
D[illegible] — FOMC
[illegible date] June [illegible]
[illegible] this [illegible] collected many [illegible], clean up [illegible]. New table and fire pit [illegible]. I had a great time, met new friends. I hope to be back soon.
ECV — James Hackett
Murrieta, CA
Okay — Il Kappala, Madera, Calif.
Place [illegible] good order, no apparent damage or theft. Check out grounds & up canyon. All quiet.
9-1-02 — Took MAM + Tacos, Tax, Rebelle 27.
108° coming up canyon. It was raining in the next canyon but not here. Will spend the night — 1st time. Cleaned bird poop.
Oct 24, 2002
Great place
We love to see these old cabins coming alive again with all the great work. Beautiful night, will be back soon.
Love, Rick, Jana and Erica
Oct 22, 2004 6[?] 34° Windy - Snowed
Just came up to check on status of cabin. Great to see it being cared for. Such work to begin [shingling?] on the roofs, windows, and a door in the next few months. [illegible] — pile logs ready to put installed next month. But we will open lower cabin [illegible] to utilize [illegible]. Table testing complete [illegible].
www.desertgeographic.com
Until — next time
Joel Barlow
Friends of the Osborne Cabin
10-27-02 1240
"Fur Scootter Trash" — EK-Dog and Lardog made our way up here. Am impressed with the cabin. And it does have a lot of potential. The road will definitely keep all but the most serious out of here. Let us know when you are going to be working up here so we can help. Thank God for my Topo Cows or we may have not found this place. Good luck — we are going to be F.O.O.C. from now on.
Lardog
10-28-02 1240
Just drove the road [illegible] definitely keep out the [undesirable] party [illegible] / spray painting [illegible] crowd out. Now I know why Scootertrash is always talking about this place. Look forward to next visit.
EK-Dog
Joel — Sorry we missed you.
27 OCT 02 1420 HRS (PST) — Mild out w/ 3[?]
Recent road traffic apparent — otherwise place in good shape. Spent the night & did some cleanup. Nice & quiet.
JM Kazynski[?]
Madera, Calif
10-28-02
Thanks for the keep clean up [illegible]. [illegible] out cleaning up this place for the years past. [illegible] put out beer bottles, flat roofs, putting up new shutters and [illegible]. It was bad mouthing generations. It's the old crowd but please, you leave the area as good or better than you found. Please, be tolerant, all welcome.
Josh, Kevin Brown[?]
5 Nov 02
Two women with their dogs left the husbands (@ home) out for adventure. The cabin is a beautiful site. We did a clean up as everything seemed in place, so we didn't make a mess either. 67° today. The earth is shivering. Road good from Minisetta[?] to cabin. We'd like to come back for another visit and maybe stay longer.
Martha & Nancy
Major & Sarah
Fontana, [California]
Nov [illegible]/02 — Our first time to this canyon. Looks like great weather + sunny + cold. [illegible] mountain love — these great barren [illegible] and respect their history. Be back — nice job!
Jeff + Christie Majauckas[?]
Riverside, CA
Baggart[illegible]@hotmail.com
PS: Does anyone know if the mine is a [shaft?] or occupied?
Nov 8/02
FINALLY ARRIVED — 4XXX ROAD REQUIRES PATIENCE — NICE REMOTE AREA — CABIN HAS POTENTIAL — ADMIRE ORIGINAL MINERS WHO HAULED AND WORKED THESE CLAIMS FOR NOT ¢¢
GPS READING FOR CABIN [redacted — crossed out by later visitor]
GOOD LUCK WITH RESTORATION. APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORT — PROVIDES US "DESERT RATS" A DESTINATION GOAL IN LOCATING THESE CABINS.
BPIC MAX — LAS VEGAS
11/16/02 — Hey Joshie, Received CA
12/29/02 — Finally made it up here thanks to my navigator, [illegible] [illegible] location.
[signature]
11/[??]/02 — Pretty Neat! Keep up the good work
Tim Bradley[?] — Chinatown[?] USA
11/24/02 — Really cool cabin!
Jan Williamson
12/15/02 — Missed the Minisetta decorating party! So just came up for a sec.
Doobie Bro[?]
1-2-03 — Thought Scott + Glenn would be here. Just up from [Irvine?] + Murrieta @ 34° W5[?] 14°. Boomer & Summer.
Doobie Bro[?]
1-25-03 — Terry [illegible] and up anyway. So far, taking it easy. [illegible] + Jerry K.
Maddog & I hiked to Surprise Mine. Good hike w/ trail across ridgeline and across face of peak on east side. Mine in fair condition. No major artifacts remaining. One DEEP shaft w/ ladder; we only looked down.
Jan 25, 2003
Cabin still good shape! Brought up more rhodo, brother Abe, & friend for the Main Cabin — things wrapped up in [plastic?]!!! Plan to finish & start on roof next month and main cabin; and getting "Mama's Lair" in shape — to [illegible] bunks and the rest of [illegible] [illegible] session (lighting). Lots to do — but will slowly continue along.
Neil Pulliam[?]
Founder of the [Osborne?]
Jan 25, 2003
First [time?] came up, since I did do not much. Sat around the campfire & enjoyed conversation.
Mike Word[?]
Misc Creek[?], CA
[continued] The "community" spirit [illegible] Mama's Lair brings to the mine [illegible] community of modern[?] first. [illegible] warmly during the day and company at night.
Jim Tavaros[?]
Jan 30, 2003
Third time here, did some clean up, help bring up stove. Had a good time.
Danny Zueda[?]
Had a unique experience — Just [illegible] came up — hope to see this cabin restored [illegible].
Doug, DC, Tony
Ed Duzelek[?] SDJDR7 C [illegible]
1/26/03 — Came and went. One night [illegible] under the [stars?].
Desdan[?]
www.DesertMine.com
1-27-03 — Up from Minetta — 4th Annual Reunion! Good time. Good food!
Desert Dog[?]
2-1-03 — I attended mining classes at Fullerton Jr College and Abraham Chavara conducted by an Ole here — who was in his late 70's in 1960 — the last time I was here the cold dorm was still standing. All we have seen put up by [someplace?]. I believe he may have wife [illegible] Sons operated this mine from the late 40's until the (I have forgotten) late 50's [illegible]. He was a good old gentleman from (Can't remember) and worked for the State Parks — Mine Inspector. He quit the State job for this, and his wife might forgive him. Good luck with this! I would like to be a friend of the Osborne together but cannot stay today there [illegible]/CA, a cache/artist [illegible] for the interior. All the frame still stands, just try putting that sucker up with one man and a boy. Anyway this wife never left him...
[Did spent?] night in Chester's Cast [illegible] in the [illegible]
Marshal [illegible] — Lancaster, CA
SCVSFSA
16 Year Pres, Big Sur — Sen of [illegible], Tommie Guy, [illegible] Guy, Sand Cup/John, [illegible] Guy, Desert Fury Boy/Harry, Welted Wire, Ole Crow, [illegible], Lt. Training, Telstar, Liaison Guys (Counter of Warriors Scouts). Members: Those can [join?] ours — (661) 497-0181
02/08/03 — Lee Pizzarro / Apache Lucy
PS: Location is so [by?] old cons who came here today 01/30/03
02/18-20/03 — Our turn Minerlode [weekend?] & thanked! A Joel's finally, found it! Quite nice! Hike to the top of the mine — what a trip! Cool, windy, will catch up with you soon.
S.L. W Dimmich, CA
2-21-03 — Fire still warm at 11 AM. Friday. Scootertrash here. Notta Sole here. Just rode motorcycle to Minetta. All is well. Here until Sunday. Working on Lazar's Lair. Cool Queen of the Desert will travel soon & we need to get this place rocking!
Dana had to work (confirmed)
Maddog is sick (confirmed)
Al Sprole has to work (confirmed)
Mortarman Rich (wife denied pass) confirmed
Lycia & Paul..... Flakes! No excuses!
Watching Oprah!!!!!
July 26-28, 2002 — [illegible] — overall winds from [SW?]
Made progress — finally! Roof [problem] solved! Installed! Old roof was too rotten to salvage. Will do a [cover?] remove survey out turn it to the [property?]. Will be up in two weeks to complete the rest of the roof — to include installing the first of the propane systems!
Great company, crew, dinner and food!!! Thanks guys!
Scott
Founder of the Osborne
2/23/03
Roofing party & camp-out was a great success! After lee set the shingles had their opinions voiced, the work began in earnest. Good lots of campfire talks.
Jerry K.
3-02-03 [illegible]
Scooter for a couple cheese hazers and enjoyed the great temp[?] [illegible] catches. [Cotton?] support [illegible].
Yaha Lawengrove & Chester Morgan
3-1 3-5-03 — Just passing through & thought we would check out the progress. Looking good! Heading up to the Panamints today. Chilly night with [illegible] for Mr. Sprinkles.
S. Lowe W Dimmich, CA
Windy and rain 40/60°+ 3/10/03
Well — got the rest of the roof on — had as well the bunk room — and filled the walls well. [illegible] bunk room in nice shape — the walls will be up [illegible] of the main roof. Can't believe I got all this done by myself.
— Had night visit from [scooter?] friends of the Osborne cabin — both cabins were filled to capacity. Seen like a party crowd up there and for some strange reason I just wanted to be alone. They where to promise today but [illegible]. It has been too long since I hiked and camped alone. All seem to have fallen into the hectic[?] of our day-urban life; and I have gotten out of practice at being alone. These past 24 hours — beautiful. Time to head pack and go home to my wonderful wife Anne and to celebrate my Birthday with her.
Enjoy,
Joe Briggs
Founder of the Osborne Cabin
www.desertdrifter.com
3/4 — Tarp had blown off the roof, so we placed it in the shed. Love what you are doing to the cabin.
Rick & Dottie Clark rclark@coltelecom.net
3/8/03 5pm 70°
Came up for the day — work was awesome things — getting closer. Pumped up 100 gallons of water, took 2½ hours. Manned lower and [illegible] — will be back next weekend. Nice day.
4/2/03
"Batman" Coach Nickel, "Mad Cowboy" Mark Maki & "Jim" Jim Nickel here. First time to this cabin. Great to see such a dedicated group working on the cabin. Good to see the "Adopt A Cabin" is such a success.
"Batman" — Farmington, New Mexico
"Mad Cowboy" — Maquoketa, Iowa
"Jim" — Las Vegas, Nevada
05 APR 03 — Dee's be no place for me
Warren Errock
April 4-6, 2003 4/6/03 2pm 75°
Yes — much done!!! Tired, dirty, smelly and hung over!!!
Finish the rod, back room extend walls — will be putting old wood back on — please don't burn — cached against out house. Will do some interior walling next trip — so please don't burn wood inside. Lots done and back room should be done on next trip with two doors — bunk type. Enjoy it! And let me know if there are any problems. 909-500-3741
PS: Slight moisture around 230a, had a brief snow flurry — pretty cold!!
Great crew, food, and drink!!
Joe Briggs — Bureau of Land Management
Coord. of the Friends of the Osborne Cabin
www.desertdrifter.com/foo/index.htm
Sunday, April 6, 2003
Good working weekend, holiday. A wind through from Friday afternoon dried out the playa against beautiful blue skies dotted with clouds. Had caravan on & off all the way down from Madera. Arrived 9PM — saw a couple of cactus in flowers, lots of Indio Duro outside road next by. I do have some fresh beef steak, marinated in Madera's finest Basque sauce. Good with Madera's finest Chicken Biscotti Merlot (good job John!). Pounded nails, but wood and made a lot of improvements to the cabin. Hope you all enjoy.
Jerry K.
4 April
Well, did a little more improvement on the cabin. Need younger workers. Us old farts can't hack this.
Maddog
4-6-03
Good trip, a lot of work done. Had so great home grown steak brought by Jerry K. Place is really starting to come together.
Danny Zavala
4-11-03 — Greg Vogt + I (Cindie Davis) [Inolie?] V.G.N. Renol rode, pushed bikes and walked up here from our camp site near Minietta Rd. Turn off on our own. Happy to be here!! Hot outside, cool in the cabin (62° 12:30 PM). You cabin visions are awesome! I am so impressed by your dedication & hard work & generosity, it time, effort & materials. You're doing great work!! Thank you, thank you, thank you.
4-15-03 — I think [illegible] guys cabin looks great! A few years ago a ranger told us about this place, so we came up here and took a look. At that time the place was a dive. We then thought we might start working on it and re-did the crapper because no matter what you do you need a crapper. Then we started working on the chiffler[?] coupe witch you now call "Lara's Lair"; but soon stopped having enough time to come up here and work on it and this is my first trip back here since 1948. Oh well, looks great now!!
Young Runner!!
P.S. Please let me know what I can do to help renovate the cabin.
e-mail: coolman14@AOL.COM
MEET TO 4-24-03 — Improving all the time! Looks great! Cold first day and night down to 38°F. Nice yesterday 60°F in the shade. Heading for Briggs or Green Valley (I hope) Weatherland, CA.
P.S. Anyone "Brain Tattoo"? S.
4-25-03 7pm 65° — Woods, 15-20 mph from South
Came up to drop off more building supplies for next weekend. I was impressed when I turned the corner, seeing it with its first coat of paint. Paint lost tired — really like paint scheme chosen by Joan[?] from film pictures of the roles and mill. Had completed ton my most exciting color. That is how we can. WP WITP THE JOINT!!! TIGHT. Breaking camp very early tomorrow — doing a petroglyph tour on the road.
Well, enjoy it and take care of it.
Joe Briggs / LANDU Coord
Friends of the Osborne Cabin
jo-lb@desertdrifter.com
5/2/03 — A great Adopt-A-Program winner. Did a little road maintenance with the BLM dozer.
Steve Smith — BLM Ridgecrest
5/2-4/03
What a weekend — rain, wind, snow, cold and hot!!! But that is the call of the desert adventure!!!
Finish the roof — BLM brought up a dozer and lead surprises and improved the road. Installed the flagpole, bunks in the back, doors, and some other little things! Cabin is looking nice — finally! Next — put windows and interior walls — painting, etc.
Work group: Bill Mallux, Harvey Hanna, Danny Zavala, BLM Steve Smith, Randy, Rob C.J. — haw the new hopper come up for a few —
Lara made it — took some pictures and videos.
Overall — great weekend!!!
Joel Briggs
Friends of the Osborne Coordinator
BLM Ridgecrest, Calif
First time here, worked hard, had a great time. Look forward to future trips. What a wonderful place.
[signature]
5/4/03 — Man, I am SOAR. Worked hard and had fun. Can't wait to bring my kids.
Danny Zavala
[date] — Parker's Camp up for a deuce, next time here. Not as all as discovered to be by Joel — where's the wine? Joel, we hats for a good way to clean up this scraps as you go? The place looks like a dump w/all the wood scraps and trash. Oh yes, where's the water?
Tom Worker Fee
05-10-03
Up for the evening! Cabin looks great and the bunks — wonderful! Heading to Warrack this morning — Joshua Pass / Death Valley. NPS rangers come up to take us — car rolled! [illegible] West Minerette haro.
Ted
Long Beach, CA
5-21-03 — Looking great up for the day! After the Minerada fiasco!
Al + Dave
Memorial Day! Desert Dog
06-14-03
Muddy Dickes — Glad to see some of the history of the area preserved!
JUNE 2003
07 JUNE 03 — Arrived at 6 PM, plenty hot, but [?] insects attest to the late rains. Birds & bats should have a bumper year as well.
A lot has changed since last trip, beginning with road "improvements" and general work on the cabin and outbuildings.
Had a great time arriving here, by way of Squaw, Papoose Flat, Noble Canyon, Jackass Flats (and Saline Valley, Hunter Mtn. highlands overlooking SV Racetrack, Ulida Flats, Hidden Vly etc.), then Panamint Springs for some gasoline ($2.75/gal?) and cold beer. Lucky their power was restored.
ECU 41-49
Jerry K.
13-15 June 2003 — 90-95 day, 65° at [illegible]. HOT. FULL MOON.
Rob & Randy from the Ridgecrest BLM came up Friday to drop off supplies and did some work on the grounds. Met up with them on the turn off.
Work party included: James H., Randy L., Morris H., Andrew[?]
JUNE 13-15, 2003
THE FULL MOON GAVE US A GREAT SHOW AS IT ROSE ABOVE THE MOUNTAINS. THE CABIN WAS "LIT-UP" AT NIGHT. WORKED ON FENCE AND INTERIOR SIDING. SAW A ♀ ROSY BOA (SNAKE).
ECV
J. Hackett
Cabin Work group: Interior walls installed, exterior walls pulls, [illegible] stairs, [illegible] restoration, ovens [illegible] (wood stove), bunks [illegible] next month party — extended [illegible] [illegible] and ceiling ladder.
Take care of it and enjoy. Keep it clean.
Joe Briggs / Coord
Friends of the Osborne Cabin
7/6/03
It was hot, you[?] worked so hard. Lot's of improvement got made. Always a good time whatever the weather. However the future and the cabin will be completed.
Norris Hanna
[signature] / Laborer
June 15 2003 — First timer. Worked hard, played hard, ate good. Will be back.
Brent LaRue 2R50-32 West Valley SAR
6-15-03 Desert Dog
7/25/03 — Tom Noeker up with Joel for a "Behind the Scenes" tour of the Osborne Project. Adopt-A-Cabin meeting tomorrow.
7/25/03 — Checking out the place and bringing up some supplies.
Joel Briggs — Friends of the Osborne
Tom Noeker — Friends of Briggs Camp
09/12/03 — So, it's 12 noon, Joel — why do we do here? Man — are we depressed. He hasn't come through. No! 90% bull shit, 10% follow through. Man, this place needs work! Help!!!
Little John — Better than — Looking Out[?]
9/12/03 — Yeah OK — Here!!!
Thanks, Joe Briggs
9/15/03 — Maddog was here
9/10/03 — Came up Friday night to meet up with Joel the morning for more filming on the restoration project. Started to sleep in cabin but keep & critters kept me awake so moved down to the car. Very comfortable although I had to figure out how to disconnect the cars light as it does not have a switch to turn [X] when a door is open — like the cargo door so my feet can hang out. Amazing how much light stars put out, [illegible] was truly dark. Did some filming while waiting.
Peter
Joel a no-show — I wouldn't have made the trek alone if I hadn't thought there would be others coming up.
9/26/03
Regret — Window installed!!! Large viewing can come soon[?]. Doors did not come up to [illegible] with south associate [illegible].
Joel B
9/20/03
Help install windows [illegible]. Nice folks.
Joel & [illegible] & David — Nice.
Would have been a perfect trip if Joel's Land Cruiser would not had broken down.
9-21 — Desert Dog
Danny Zavala
9/30 & 10/1/03 — Nice overnight! Thanks for Briggs, brought it. Because of the bed bugs in [illegible] haven't been properly fed in a while, met at out fav blood!
Dave W. & Dal Lost W Mammoth, CA
10/1/03 85° 15mph canyon winds
Installed last of windows and starting on our [illegible] for next weekend. [illegible] in my inner stove until installed properly — can turn down later!!! Will be [ready?] and ready for winter! Hope all enjoy!!
UP WITH WORK CREW
Joel Briggs
Friends of Osborne
Oct 4, 03
Trip to work was fun. Great weather [illegible].
Jerry K.
Oct 4, 03
I enjoyed the bunk beds. Thanks after painting some window frames. Beautiful desert. Lovely dog.
Shelley M. Everett
Oct 4, 03
I was here. Slept on bunk bed and pedal[?] went & held[?].
Anna Briggs
Oct 4, 2003
Place is really coming along. I put in windows and metal cement. Need to be along.
Danny Zavala
Oct 18, 2003
Installed screen over windows and stove. Stove! Smoke pipe was not installed correctly — missing roof piece — please do not use stove/wood burning stove!! Painted windows, frame, and basically did a good thing all around.
Joel Briggs
Friends of Osborne Cabin
909-800-3761
[illegible] Lowell
(parents Richmond, Austin)
Oct 18, 2003
Good time had by all. Installed stove and window screens. Place is coming along.
Danny Zavala
[date] — Dave W. & Dal left in the beautiful over night. Great progress Joel. But where is the plumb & propane fuel. But, where is [illegible].
10/19/03
[illegible] tour [illegible] at an [sonic]. Installing roof & windows.
James L. Tod — Friends of Osborne
Tom Voeker
Joe Briggs
11/1/03
Arrived around 5 PM to a somewhat chilly 55° & wind in the air. Welcomed met. But was quickly pushed out of the cabin by the heat of the wood coal burning stove. Yes — tried out the stove — and it does a great job heating up the cabin. In fact, at 9:22 it was 32° outside and 83° in the cabin. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day — installing the cords/panes pipe for gas stove and lanterns.
11/02/03 6:30 Clear sky — Full Moon
Drove into Ridgecrest this afternoon to pick up [illegible] building supplies. Met up with Steve Smith, BLM official for the Adopt-A-Cabin Program. Picked up
11/02/03 cont.
Flow & cloths, water piping for propane stove and want to finish inside ceiling. Started to prepare interior and quickly felt realized — I was so tired [illegible]. Wash out of my lenses. Drove out of stove and made a place for it. Tomorrow walked thru & put back stove, and pull of stove will burn all night — got up this morning, more coal in, and it heated right up. I meanwhile fed cat, & installed smoke detector and carbon mono[xide]. Did nice work on the "hallway". Will bring electric saw to finish up interior walls of the bunk room next trip.
Lighten side — printed "Mine" who sleep with a farm large mouse this evening has been [illegible] below. Well, I hear my dinner boiling over (really) so I must go!
9:30 pm — Got a fire going — what a beautiful night, full moon and just a chill in the air — time to make hot cocoa!
11/3/03 — A cold night, a cold morning — had to go outside for some fresh [air]. This morning I tidied up the place and finish installing the latches for the windows. It was a productive weekend.
P.S. Coal Stove — I found it works best if you start off with wood — once burning throw on small bits of coal. Only going bigger pieces.
Joe Briggs
Cabin Coordinator
Friends of the Osborne
909-800-3741
Next Scheduled Work Party — December 12-13-14, 2003
Agenda: Install propane system, work on cook stove and interior lantern.
Nov 19, 2003
Stopped by for lunch and to check out the progress. Looking good. So much better than last time we were here about two years ago.
Dinosaur "Mag" & Digger
Toy (Lil Scarey) "Ruane"[?]
[illegible] Desertian — Katz on the kids
PS: The door wouldn't close, the wood swelled up from the rains. We blocked it and used the same door.
Nov 22, 2003
Came [illegible] show in the cabin after trying [illegible]. [Several largely illegible lines describing a mouse encounter, ending:] it fell off behind the plaque.
Mouse Saga — cont.
Found it and put another round into [illegible]. Laid motionless — I pulled the make back [illegible] jumping up and down with joy — tears of glee in my Brazilian Cousins [upper?] for my fist bottle. My eyes and plainly with my senior peers. The mouse is no more — they cried chasers — well!!!
Hmmm! As I sat for the glue with my smarter inside, I notice the mare was gone — what the [hell?] Did my buddies come to my rescue? [illegible] ok. Dashed over to the receive side of line ink[?]. Bloody paw prints. Moving paint, trash cans, I [illegible] the mare shimping along. I quickly re-loaded [illegible]. It went straight down about an inch, was cornered. It headed toward my wife looking frantically at [illegible] look drunk — she screaming "Hit it, it's coming toward me!" as coolly as a duck hunter, I hit it using the butt of the rifle. It stunned, crazed upon my wife. I hit it again. It stopped. Wound up at me and begun I had won. I fired the last round into it. It moved its last time — with luck of him I picked it up by its tail — it was still alive. DAMN!!! I tore it outside. Tossed it out, then wound and spat the rifle muzzle to its head and fired. It twitch once and finally went to mouse heaven. Now I know how it felt from already. I miss its pitter patter so long in the walls w/ silent mouse.
DINE OFF APP AD[?] WE!!
11-15-03
Stayed last night with Joel and Anne. Stove took a while to heat up but once it did it did. The place is really coming along.
Danny Zavala
[illegible]
Joel Briggs
Friends of the Osborne/LandOrCabin Team Coord.
[illegible] cabin and wonderful visit on [illegible] to say, enjoyed the ride up and seeing the cabin.
Sean Pearson
Places I see as the Osborne (Cabin) in a continuous location, forever to enjoy!
Adam Cramer
11-25-03
Lar Dog & EK arrived at 0430 impressed by work done on cabin since we put on the roof. Will be here two nights — brought up cooking utensils and cups, plates, silverware for cabin. Plan on being at PSR for Thanksgiving then go to see 5 Kidder. Place looks great — will be back soon.
Lardog — EK-Dog
ECV 64
Nov 27, 2003
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
NO FOOTBALL (yet) NO B.S.
Great weather, food, drinks. Drove up two days ago into a five day trip.
The Osborne Cabin is in great shape. I left some dish pots, pans & condiments. Small contribution to a great spot today. I hiked up the Surprise Mine yesterday — was finally able to convince Lardog he was not going to slide down the cable from Upper Diggins.
The weather was perfect — 70's in the daytime & dipping into the 50's at night. A slight breath of wind to remind you it's winter.
We're heading out to Panamint Springs Resort to stuff ourselves on Turkey (our with Panamint Jedey Mauya[?] his nib[?] [illegible] at PSR — then one more night in the desert.
Eric "EK-Dog" & Kaesman[?]
Larry "Laz-Dog" Forrestan[?]
ECV — Bodie 64
11/4/03 — Desert Dog
1. Desert drifter going — I thought the on way to PSR [illegible]
2. Please don't burn plastic in stove [illegible]
11/14/03
1. [illegible] — Joe Briggs
2. [illegible] — Tom Plunkett[?]
3. Teri, Kerry, Drake — Yucca Valley, CA
4. Tom + Lesley Mahan — Yucca Valley
5. David + Carol Stackitetti — Yucca Valley, CA
6. Jerry + Mikie Wumphreville
7. Matt Dornell — Batlletown, Kentucky
8. Randall[?] + Ryan Whitshire — Yucca Valley, CA
9. David DeJong — came up with Joel — spent 2 [days?], doing propane piping — cabin is much improved since a year ago.
11/20-23/04
Very nice weather — nice crisp days, not chilly night. Was very nice in cabin with wood coal stove again in a pinch(!). Looks like someone burned plastic inside. Came up to take apart piping to fix temporary [illegible] to cut new pipes for a higher "draft" — did manage to remove plastic remains from stove. Finish the last of the propane piping and installed propane lights — thanks Panamint Springs!!!
Lots of visitors today — counted 14 visitors!!! Propane
Next trip — install regulator and move — and should have lighting!!!
11/30/03
Left 4:30 last night!!! Great trip. Progress made! Did find a major problem with bunk rooms — really bad stone wall — large piece fell. Will have to take apart bunks and wall to repair — three day work weekend Dec 11-12-13-14, 2003. Besides that — great trip.
Joe Briggs / Coordinator
Friends of the Osborne Cabin
909-800-3761 Foc@desertdrifter.com
13 Dec 03 — Jerry K & friends drop by from Adopt-A-Cabin meeting at Minietta. Joel & others passed by to visit Minietta. Place is coming along nicely — lots of work done.
13 Dec 03 — Denver & Wayne Howard — stopped by with the above group. Great job, F.O.O.C.!
Denver
12-13-03 — Rough drive — cabin looks nice. A lot of work done here. Stay at the Minietta few nights, just came by to check out.
Beth Chappell
12-12 & 13-03
Helped Joel with the Food Lockers. Checked out the Stove Cabin for Eagle project for Patrick. Had a great time.
Tim + Patrick Koz Ryan
Dec 12-14, 2003
MUCH DONE!!! Propane stove and lights all work — system takes about 5 minutes to charge — coal burning stove does an excellent job hosting up the place. Big Joe's sleeping in two bunks — in bring propane next trip true!!
Desert Dog
12-24-03 Jay Hiet-Johnson
Fresno, CA All's well
[Drawing of two dogs labeled "Chance & Alice"]
Dec 27, 03
[Drawing of four men, labeled below:]
Devil Dog - Dodger Dog - Drivin Dog - Dressed Up Dog
Bumptious - Sleazy - Hilarious - Wise Raiders - Swindlers - Drunks - Explorers - Prospectors and Madmen
[Large stylized lettering:]
JOE
MARTIN
RAY
RICK
After years of exploring the Panamints, we finally made it to the beauty that is Osborne Canyon.
12-28-03 — Wild Bill
Great to see that someone is fixing up the old camp.
12-29-03 — Debur & Vaughan
Great work — looks like you've been at it for awhile. [illegible] guys, get a sealed star 🙂
01-01 to 01-02-04 — Tom & Chantal[?]
Very enjoyable night here. Thanks Joel & all you FOOC for all your work. We will leave the place better than we found it. We will also send a check to the "Coal Fund".
Some bad news, though Joel, your large mouse still lives (see Nov 14/15/03 entry), or at least its ghost. We saw it several times limping around the cabin with a hole in its head. Each time I pointed my gun at it, it would stand on its back feet & smile. Each time it smiled we could see it was holding a BB between its teeth! It would then run for cover. We also encountered 3 blind mice swimming in a tan bucket atop the Blk Barrel. OK, they were dead & just floating. We dumped them in the wash.
Jan 2, 2004 1430 hrs
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Finished the food locker and brought up a carpet for back bunk room and more 2x10s up to hear the rats brother, very upset from this morning!! But no problem — I BB-ed my trusty old BB gun. The battle on and his days are numbered.
Although 5pm and it is 34°F outside (waiting for the window temp. gauge). Got the coal burning stove going — getting low on coal but I will be shipping up 300 pounds next [week] for 2004.
Coal stove is working nicely and heating the cabin up nicely.
01/02/2004 2100 hrs 34°F Degrees Winds are [illegible]
Painted the top of the food locker, the cabin going to bring up a stainless steel plate to cover next trip. Ad siding here, relaxing about [illegible] the wall boxed this year and making [illegible].
1/03/2004 — Last night was cold: 20°F. This morning 0700HRS it is only 30°F. Well, today we will take down picnic table and flag pole (out by my choice either). Cleaned up and one I don't plan to write down here. Afterwards head to the Ruth Mine.
1-14
Beautiful day — great hike to the mine and above.
George Hamlet
Ridgecrest, CA
Jan 20, 2004 — Hot sun, no wind, clear blue sky, snow drovers[?] long sleets heavy. Up high > 6000'. On Tues. 73° here, sky over (63°) [illegible] a great week! 1st time here in Surprise, Happy Mount, Middle Park + Snow Cyn's. Had treks in camper. Wonderful [illegible]. If the place would be Sun[?] some time in Death Valley Sul. Tub[?] waterfall — the coal stove, cupboard? In CA? — a beauty, but [illegible] complicated? Kudos to Steve Smith, an amazing guy, who used to be BLM OOFS doing Adopt-A-Cabin? Anyone else who interested in Baker Point Lookout above Kernville & the sequoias N.F. could be persuaded? More fun to just great [?]
Just Ed Greenhorn Mt. eck
[signature] + John, Kernville, net
johalinder@hilipeed.net
Feb 27, 2004
[illegible] months since last visit and was pleased to see it in excellent condition!!! Thanks (Please, sign book though!!) Up here for the day to take inventory and inventory of materials for works going to start on living and patio couch. Also, going to replace coal stove with woodstove, beyond that, not much else!!
Joe Briggs
Cabin Coordinator FOC
3/14/03 Sunday 81°F Clear & Sunny 12:24 PM visit
Spent yesterday in Saline, checking out Beveridge Cabin for Scootertrash. Last night at Boxcar (Buckhorn Cabin) with Dan! You guys are doing a first class job here. Thanks for all of your hard work.
Matt & Pat Swain
mapswain@pacbell.net
3-21-04 — Tim Welts, Doug Welts[?], Wayne Jack visiting site for[?] last visit was in 1994. Wow, job FOOC! Nice to see progress.
Wayne Jack
Sisters, OR.
3-22-04
Barbara Jack & Wayne Jack
Rusty & Riley
3-22-04 — Glad to see all the improvements since I was last here, just one year ago. I'm so pleased that you didn't let hassles from the BLM discourage you from continuing with your work here.
Greg Voge, Lake Tahoe, Nev.
* The BLM hassles are getting worse!!! I hope Joel can keep up the good work! Good luck to FOOC!
4-2-04 — Second visit to cabin. A great amount [of work] done in a year. Nice to see improvements in all areas. What a variance in Adopt-A-Cabins things. We stayed in Minietta, Ichurich (Rainier), Burgess Mine[?], [illegible], and now Osborne on this trip. (I even side trip to Jail Canyon and spent one night crash up there. It is a shame the back side seems to discourage maintenance. The cabin up in Jail Canyon and potential — but is pretty rough. Now this cabin is [illegible] to go [illegible]. That I have talked to or emailed in the last year!!
Gary "Majora" Nickel
[illegible] Valley Luminary's ? Mediation C [illegible]
4-2-04
WOW, lots of projects started since I was out last time! Mouse took a dookie and whiz in my boot last nite. Didn't know it until foot was firmly inserted!! The really embarrassing (oh) thing is now that boot smells better than the other one!! A skunk must have sprayed by the/in the front of cabin recently. It was a little "skunky" here when we arrived late last nite and still smelly this morn.
Best to All
Mad Dog
coyote@caves.net
[date] — Back again. The skunk add to the flavor of the place. My one-eyed dog is looking for Mr. or Miss Skunk. Might be a hairy ride home with smelly dog. Got my driver cutting wood out in front. He's a great help. All I have to do is give him some beer.
Ray X Justion Earth USA
4-10-04 — Desertman Lee, Tiff, Junior, Stay[?]
4/10/04
Hi! I'm glad to see there are people who love the desart like I do. There is a lot of love and hard work going in to this cabin. I hope the spirit lasts a long time. I know Joel Briggs does! And he has lots of help from Pope [illegible] Dog famley. I spent the night here. Didn't do any work. Just cleand up after my shelf. I think the skunk lives here!!
[drawing of Jeep]
Dan
Bakersfield, CA
[drawing of swirling pattern]
Bruce Cronenwett
Madison, WI
4/21/04
Hung a photo of Gram Parsons. Rosso, Bruce, Randy & D-One. Eye're here to the sun is happy today.
Ray
[Earth USA drawing with smiley]
4/21/04 - Cousin Ray (G.P. = Gay Pride) made me take my two wheel drive Toyota up here. I almost made it. I don't have an email address for tumbling. No to leaving food here—except salt + pepper. No to L.A.
X, Chico
[drawing of creature with speech bubble: "Some people prefer dogs, but I prefer a horny toad!"]
[continuation of previous entry]
The smell is from a very bad vent — they smell like skunks, or I have been told.
Looks like he/she lives behind wall where propane stove is located —
Need to seal it off!!!
#Does stink!!!
4-28-04 - Great overnight! Great progress! Where's the water? How's the brain tumor?
Sid & Dana
May 15, 2004 - 8pm - 81°F - wind 5mph south[illegible]
Arrived around 4pm, was delighted to see cabin in excellent shape. Disappointed to see someone has stolen the cabin "Dinners are sharp" metal sign, that Dale had proudly in the hallway. Also, see part of the roof coming has come loose. Will fix tomorrow if not arrested.
Going to meet BLM law enforcement on an allegation that I removed wood from a mining camp in the Panamints and burned it in a bon-fire — Strange, wood found in and atop [illegible] Canyon in the Panamints would [be used to] fix the roof on main beam, and the remaining is outside. I guess there are a few out there that just want to bring this program down — right K.W. — or whatever your name is today. Well — until tomorrow…
JB
May 16 - I fixed roof and door. Front door sticking a bit. Tried to find source of "skunk" smell. Seems to be coming from behind the walls of the sink and propane stove. I know it is not a skunk — but a ringtail will have to do some research to find out more about them and how to rid the cabin of the smell!!!
Met with BLM law enforcement Ranger. Had a great talk. Feel good and maybe we can start up again.
Joel Briggs
Friends of Osborne
June 11, 2004
Checking out the cabin — great job Joel, et al! Looks wonderful compared to what it used to be.
Richard (Steve) Burrell
Ridgecrest, CA
6/11/04 - Enjoying a cabin tour w/ Steve
Larry Greene[s]
8-31-04 - 8am - 84°F
Read numerous emails about problems with cabin — all BS. Do[n't] I'll be back, will be up next week-end to finish up some interior items: walls, kitchen, and finish up the back bunk house.
Joe Briggs
Friends of the Osborne
poc@desertdrifter.com
10-03-04
Came up Friday with some friends. Cleaned up the place and so on. One of the water drums busted, will bring up another one next time up. Weather was nice and days — just a tide warm.
Joe Briggs
Friends of the Osborne
poc@desertdrifter.com
10-3-04
Came up for another relaxing weekend. Good food, good drink, lots of fun.
Daniel Zavala
Came up with the notorious Joel. Had a great time — great fun. A great place for us guys on a week end.
Doug De Fury 3 Oct 04
I can truly see why Joel enjoys this cabin. My son and I [illegible] amused with [illegible]. Hope to come back up soon.
Sue & Kyle
[signature: RAZO]
11/13/2004
Rang chow bell — no takers! [illegible] swing, ~65°
Rooney Bro Honda Power!
Thanksgiving +1/2004
W/son Eric + G-son Austin Taylor, traveled Long Beach to PSR yesterday + got stuffed @ T Day banquet. Met super couple Ron + Marry, Eric met last year. Always glad to see quality additions to Eric's →
[continuation] already fascinating coterie of friends.
I'm sitting in sun on porch while Eric + his college companion Austin are up probably of the Burros on the heights.
Recalling the wonderfully descriptive Indian name for Kevin Costner, "He Who Danced With Wolves," have decided to change E's name to "He Who Doesn't Have To Walk Alone" now that he's fully grown & happily w/same love of nature and camping as his father.
Watching those two grow closer & closer with the years warms the cockles of my heart.
"Papa John"
01-15-05
Came by for a quick cabin check. The cabin looks great on the south side. The other side needs to be cleaned of debris. I would also like to clean/repair the kitchen area. I hope to be able to plan a work party for this year.
Sprockett, POP [?]
1-16-05 - Jay Hier-Johnsen, Fresno — All is Well
1-21-05 - Kert Van Dusen
1-22-05 - George Hamlett, Phil [illegible]
Great Place - Beautiful Day
Feb 6, 2005 - 7PM - 41.5°F - No wind
Arrived Friday — cabin was occupied!!! That was a first. Told us they would be out sat — and they did.
Attended the adopt a cabin all hands meeting — all of us left more puzzled about the program than ever before!!!
Okay — wait one more — spent two hours picking up trash and shot gun shells? What this fuck??? I guess whore maid service too??
Feb 06, 2005 cont.
Beyond that, had a great weekend, spent Friday night out at Panamint Springs Resort. Great service & room. Hooked up with Randy Baines (editor of www.deathvalley.com) had a great time just shooting the breeze — the way it should be.
Installed a wood burning stove thanks to a $200 donation — so this cool burning stove will become an artifact of this site.
Fixed the front door — plan to come back next month and redo one of the frame boards. Brought up fire wood. Please use it sparingly/wisely.
Now about my camp buddies & Carlos and Rob — GREEN HORNETS, new brews, UGG — was like train the new boy scouts — squeally, we all had a great time.
Joel Briggs
poc@desertdrifter.com
909-800-3761
Will be redoing outer/inner floor later — need to pick up some bricks. JB
Feb 06, 2005
This cabin is great. [illegible] workmanship than expected. Once the renovation is complete, the cabin should be great seat of vacation and relax[ation].
Ron Barrels
Was that some kind of sick joke making the beds 5'11"? Don't you know the average man is 6 feet tall? Whose taken care in charge of this shit hole? Speaking of shit hole, that's the cleanest smelling outhouse I've ever been privy to unload in. I think my wife could take cleaning lessons from this place. Now what the fuck is up with making this a historical landmark. I'm sorry but a mining camp from the sixties (LOL) doesn't qualify as American heritage. This is just a place where a bunch of people who couldn't hack it as hippies came to roost. By the way, I think I saw the ghost of Manson last night while taking a whiz outside. Wait he's still alive … how can that be? Until next time.
Carl Quentin
P.S. You'll be [illegible] degenerate fairly rough.
Feb 2[?], 2005
Superkewl Bunny
IF YOU COULD MEASURE! THE BUNKS ARE 6'3"
P.S. IT MIGHT HELP YOUR VOCABULARY
Scott Rose
REP, MONSTERT, P.J. — came calling. Found cabin in good condition. Left some [illegible] away. Too many people for [illegible] [signature] Area Place 2005-6-2
2-08-05
Joel Briggs and other F.O.O.C. (who ever you are!) - You folks are awesome. I remember this cabin from years back — what a change! I came up this canyon intending to camp but couldn't pass up the chance to sit in front of a wood stove out of the wind … Backpacking up into the Argus Range tomorrow, where sure I'll freeze my ass off in the cold wind. Well worth it, for the solitude of the desert. Keep up the good work. I cleaned up a bit, left a beer and will try to help in the future.
Alec Isabeau ("Doc")
Santa Rosa, CA
2/19/05
Came up to check it out. Good job Joel. but was hoping the SS was hooked up. Oh well, great job here. Raining but inside is nice and dry.
DC[illegible]
COOP
2-20-05
Jay Nier-Johnsen
Fresno, CA
Log 1/2 wet
3-1-05
Mel & Rob hike here from the loading ramp. 6 mile round trip. Everything is so green from the rain! Go Raiders! No stopping us now that we have Randy Moss!
3-2-05
First time up this way — great cabin — Mt. Hat is titled …
Randall [Ingalls]
Petaluma, CA
61° clear haze no wind. The silence is almost deafening — as it should be.
3-6-05
Walt & Wanda
Barstow, CA
This is great place. Thanks.
3/8/05
First time great cabin.
Chuck B
March 17th 2005 - 7PM
We found this place after [Henrietta wasn't] — full — considering the wildflowers — spring breeze [is?]
We found the front door open — interesting since there haven't been people up here more than a week + ½.
The place looks awesome! Joel & FOOC, you guys are doing amazing work! I commend you. I have not the "know how" but I sure appreciate the work.
We came up here thru Sunday the 20th. I've been sick — fever & all for the first few days. It was raining + low cloud layer the first few days, and it was cold — 40's & just plain 40 (cold). (The stove inside was nice — but needs work — also too much smoke from pipe.) Today (Sun) was the first day we actually saw sun, and the hike we went on was nice — except for the curled snake — which didn't strike (thank goodness!).
Glorious Sun! How we missed you these past few days.
* Also, left a flag for hosting. Enjoy!
We came up with my 9yr old — Grant. We enjoyed the wonderful rocks, nature walks (lichen) as well as hikes up the canyons.
We left the cabin in better shape — cleaned the outhouse (potty), left water (a case) and a bunch of [sun cards] since there were none. We also left more firewood and made it ready for the next traveler.
We are looking forward to finding the rest of the BLM adopted cabins & also look forward to sending my very able bodied / very capable hubby (w/ a general contractor's lic.) to help in work parties. (Hoorah!)
So, unless my cutie; Chuck; AKA "Southwest Chuck" has anything to say ~ until next time ~
Kristina Stone <kc_in_newporte@yahoo.com>
Grant Weston
Charles Sutterfield <chuchswk@sprynet.com>
Costa Mesa, Orange County, CA / Newport Beach
P.S. Hey Joel ~ [illegible] next volunteer
3-21-05
Great cabin, great work done to it. Left a flag "OLD GLORY" — a little faded but still proud. Got to go — or I'd write more —
Thanks.
Chuck Sutterfield AKA Southwest Chuck
chuckswk@sprynet.com
3/18/05
Can't believe we found it! Glad we kept going! Great adventure for sure! You guys are awesome!! Keep up the great work!
God Bless!
M-Bear - Fresno CA lopinpepin@yahoo.com
Whit - Treehouse CA
3-24-05
Not sure on the date. 13 jeepers came through here. We stopped to enjoy lunch in front of the awesome cabin. You've done a great job. Thanks for the scenery and nice day.
Carmen Needham
Bakersfield, CA
March 27, 2005 - Easter Sunday
Out for a Sunday drive & here's where we [are]. This is a really nice place. 1st time here & I'm sure we'll be back. Also want to give thanks to my Lord Jesus for going to Calvery for us & coming back from Death Hell & The Grave to save us all. Have a wonderful Easter.
William & Candace [Voke]
March 28-31-05
Dave Harding & Scott Rose came here 1st time. We originally went to Minietta cabin, but was occupied. Really impressed w/ the labor of love invested here. We thank you sincerely for all thats been done. We left some food & fire wood.
P.S. If you want to solve the smokin stove syndrome? First problem don't neck down 6" to 4" for vent cap. Next put a water heater or [drawing] this type of cap on stove pipe! I'm not sure of the dia. but it's still the same solution.
April 1-2, 2005
We found this gem by accident — was driving around, trying to avoid the crazy tourists on the main roads. Great place! Amazing quiet. The moon appeared over the mountains at [4am] this morning and have created an amazing light in the canyon. Loved the view from the rocky hill to the north, looking over the valley to Telescope and the Last Chance Range. The flowers and birds (falcons, chukars, owls, poorwills and [illegible] finches) made the best company.
We'll be back (and will [owe] supplies!).
Left some firewood and raked the "yard".
Leaving this place in the good hands of Desert Dog → Thanks!
Bing & Alvin
Oakland, CA
4/2/05
Desert Dog — left a new pen
4/3/05
Desert [Rah] herium outing to see some of the adopt-a-cabins in the Argus Range. Camping here tonight. Enjoying weather and staying at all the different AAC's. The BLM Desert Advisory Council passed a resolution of support for the AAC program yesterday in Barstow.
Richard (Steve) Smith
P.S. The AAC/DAC strategy meeting will be on June 4th at one of the AAC's.
April 2[?]/05 Sunday
Excellent cabin. Thanks Steve
4-8-05
Nice place. Spent one night and may have lost my car keys. If found mail to B.R. Box 772, Yosemite, Ca. 95389
4/9/05
Spent the night. I was glad to be in out of the wind. Had 60 mi per hour gusts. Also I fixed the vent. So the stove drafts properly now. There is screen wire in the pipe to stop the sparks, but it could use more wire. I would fix it but I'm afraid of the ladder. Great commitment F.O.O.C. and good work.
Vernon Watts
Cerritos, Cal.
April 10, 2005
On Vern's recommendation we spent our 3rd and best night of our Panamint trip here in the cabin. This is a hidden jewel!
Julie and Dawn Saffren
Los Alamitos, CA
P.S. We left some wood and a utility table we bought at the start of the trip. It was useful in serving up our outdoor kitchen.
April 10, 2005
From the Bay Area, we arrived Panamint Valley Thursday night. We camped the first night in a wash in the SW end of the valley, then made our way up Osborne Canyon after a brief visit to Minietta. We camped 2 miles before the cabin and spent our last night in the cabin. What a wonderful gem this little cabin in the high desert. After 2 nights of windy wilderness camping, the Osborne cabin was a wonderful treat. We'll be back.
J, H, D, J — The Saffrens
April 12, 2005
Here for my annual pilgrimage to Panamint Valley. Glad to see all the improvements, Joel! The entries in this journal attest to the appreciation other visitors feel.
Greg Voge, Lake Tahoe, Nevada
P.S. Was just leaving when I encountered a large rattlesnake on the front porch!
April 14th, 2005
Last year my husband & I discovered this beautiful Panamint Valley. We have a two tent trailer for boondocking. We spent some time down at Minnietta in our rig & were treated to a night at that cabin. What a delightful surprise. We did what we could to fix up the place & donate some provisions — & also, by a fluke, had a quick lunch at the "Barker" — left some food there as well…
We were so impressed with this program! You all are doing a fantastic job!
In July/Dec 04, we were boondocking with another couple who use this area as well. We found this amazing little cabin that although a bit rough on the exterior looked, it had ornate dedication behind it — we'd left some extra provisions behind on our truck, but sure would be back to drop off some pots, pans & utensils, etc. the next time around. We didn't today but just checked out the mine.
Fast Forward — after a flat tire halfway out we managed to limp/make it back with enough to our delight — the cabin was available. AND GONE!!! — so much work has been done since we last visit! — We brought a bunch of cooking supplies, food, and firewood, etc. (My carpentry skills are not so good but we'll do what we can to pick up around the place [sleeping shells?]).
S, S, S, H, I, D. Staunton — [Haselman] [Jarlin] etc…
April 16th, 2005
This is one of the best experiences I have had desert camping. And I hope it stays around for years to come.
[peace sign]
P.S. We couldn't find the mine today, but we sure tried anyway.
Now for one of my favorite poems,
The Lizard King
by Jim Morrison
I am the Lizard King
I can do anything
I can make the Earth stop in its tracks
I made the blue cars go away
For seven years I rode
In the loose palace of exile
Now I have come again
To the fair, and strong and wise.
Desert!!!
Stephen Staunton
April 17th, 2005 (update)
Cabin - My husband Steve limped out back home to pick up cousins [Gary? Debbie?] & get a new tire (gift). Upon their return we all enjoyed a delightfully warm weather, fun plinkin' the BB guns & shootin' off a few rockets, taking a short hike around and enjoyed watching the chuckers (sp) ducking around the cabin.
On Saturday we tried hard to make it to the [illegible] mine, but to our surprise, we never quite made it. Couldn't seem to find the trail (I guess the nerves gather their magic) — Oh well, had a couple of great hikes — viewing wildflowers! We brought back some tasty [illegible] & whipped up a great little salad for dinner. (Left the balsamic — you would need to make a nice vinegarette.)
Our little Jack Russel Terrier also had a great time chasing & helping capture one of the relatives of the ghost-mouse with the hole in his head. He chased it up & through several of the drawers & between [Stephen?] & her harassing; it hopped out of the utensil drawer — right into the trash can below. [Woodmouse.] — Unfortunately, we can still hear the relatives in their little "condos" behind the paneling. Chutistoring entertainment.
The next time we pass by, will bring a [rodent?]-tight box for extra staples (pasta, crackers, etc.) — also a few blankets & towels.
I copied your email address Joel, we'd like to donate cash as that's the best way we can help — Thanks again!
Kate, Steve, Stephen, Sean, Larry & Deb
6-12-? Desert Dog
www.splendidfields.org
7-9-05
Up from Minnietta. Is it me? or is the road getting rougher. Where's everyone been? No one but me since 4-17?
Desert Dog
Afternoon 96°, 35% humidity
9/11/05
Rich A., Lysen + Jim Spring up from the Minnietta. The place looks real nice! It's about 92° at 3:45p. Don't forget K-C —
9-25-05
Kenneth, from Darwin CA. 35-40 miles away from here, nice place to get away. Keep up the good work.
W 86° 23.9
10/29/05
Chester was here… Where were you? Next time [illegible]… too many note for me. Stopped for lunch. Back another time. Nice place. Enjoy yourself…
Whoever Left the door open
Steve + Nancy
→ Let a fat [coon] in, and it couldn't get out. Respect wildlife and surroundings. Please shut doors + windows.
Thank You
11-25-05 - Fresno CA
Jay Hier-Johnson
Another year [signature]
Walker visit - 11/26/05
Spent the day @ DeFosse mine and Lookout City. Ended up here for the night.
John Walker Jr., Ian Walker Sr., Chase Walker, Brian Rafferty, Steve Wolff, Ryan
11/24/05 - Thanksgiving Day!!
Great Place
Steve + Nancy - Nampa, Idaho
Don't leave Doors or Windows OPEN!
8-3-05
FOOC was here to clean up the [rest place?] + wonder how long it will be before it's full of trash again??
Listen up, Paul, Ed S, Dani, Rich A, Rich S, Bill R, Laurie, Donna + [illegible]. Pls keep it clean + enjoy!
FOOC
12-26-05
Left Saline Valley hot springs this morning. Due to rain — but that turned into a nice day. We checked off the Astor Arts cabin on the way here — (Really just a small shack, but would be good for a windy night cook shack). We heard that this cabin was here and gladly took the time to drive up here to stay — We plan to stay one or 2 nights then off to the Panamints to meet friends.
John, Denise + Bumper the Bug-Zilla
12-27-05
Hiked up to Surprise mine(s)!! What a climb!!! We certainly have enjoyed this cabin — Thank you much, FOOC, for all you do! Great respite from tent camping — temperature only 42°F last night so not so cold — but still nice to be inside, especially after our hike.
We'll clean up and leave some wood for the next traveler & take out some trash previous visitors left behind.
Denise, John & Bumper [pawprint]
12-28-05 - 8:45 AM
Crushed thunderstorms [Can sete?], trash, overcast today headed into the Panamints. Great job on the cabin — we enjoyed the stay!
John, Denise + Bumper
2006
22 JAN 06 - Co and Jerry K, site visit after Minnietta get together. Place is neat + clean. Thanks for the efforts.
[illegible] Friends of Osborne up about the mine. It's [illegible] & while some may hurt, most hold actually [illegible] into. Place looks nearly good. Maybe we'll do some to freshen things up one day. Take care!
Tom Wheeler, Friends of Osborne, Corona, CA
Gary Lane F.O.C. (W. Covina) CA
[signature]
1/28-29/06
Aaron, Molly & Torey visited for first time. Awesome place! Cleaned up a bit and left some firewood. Climbed up to the mine. Phew! What a hike! Keep up the good work to all who cares for this place.
Larry W. 3-17-06
Great Place you have!
Thanks
Scott Murphy 3-17-06
David [Stricker] 3/17/06 — Nice Place!
Andy R — 3/17/06
Chris Morano B-Spec 3-17-06 — 3-20-06
Great place!! See you all again soon. We left some tequila for everyone.
www.panamintcharlie.com
Thankz!!!
[signatures: Amy, Tray, Coley 2006]
04/07/2006
Big surprise — I expected to find nothing more than rocks, dirt and more scraggly plants. Now — I find this delightful cabin, better than some motels I've stayed in. This is my idea of a great vacation spot.
Some day I will buy real, borrow or steal a quad and stay here for a few days. But right now I'm on my mountain bike and just passing through.
Thanks to all who have taken care of this place through the years. Because of your efforts we have a fantasy get away spot and not a pile of defaced [rubble].
Jim [Schonsson] aka "Rockslide"
4-13-06
I wrote in here on 3-24-05 — I'm here a year later. Not so many "jeepers" this time. Beautiful day, sunny. We had lunch under the pack-tin and then were on our way.
Carmen Needham Tyack (now)
Bakersfield, CA
4-15-06 - Virginia and Richard Moreschini — nice trip — nice cabin
4/16/06 - Joel C. [signature]
7/19/06
Bob + myself came by to see the cabin. Really nice so do appreciate the time & cost the people who restore these cabins. Your really appreciated.
Scott Rose
4-20-06
Bob, Bruce Brighton, and Scott Rose stayed here 4-20-06 to 4-22-06 looked around. Enjoyed the cabin. Nice weather. It's really nice that people as you are that take time, money to restore these cabins so every one can enjoy. Thanks!
Scott Rose
5-29-06
Virginia and Richard Moreschini & grandsons — Joseph and Carter Noyes — spent cool night — Thanks
8-24-06
Came by to clean the place up and make sure everything is OK. Looks good!
Chris B-Spec
8-30
LARRY SANDERS WAS HERE!!
9-17-06
Hey Chris, James, thanks for the Panthers food + place. Had lunch and went on my way to [Kapoching]. See you around.
[signature]
9-25-06
Stopped by again to check out the place. Looks good!
B-Spec
09.25.06
1st time @ Osborne. This is great! Looking forward to coming back to spend some time & explore.
Alexis
10-14-06
Spent a warm dry evening & night in the cabin, with a wild thunderstorm going on outside.
Betty & Ed
Hello! Chris, Alexis, & Eric!
[signature] Laros
10-22-06
Dropped by to say hi to the place. Cleanest I've seen it. Must be 75°F outside. No wind. Very quiet.
Larry W. & Tabby the Wonder Dog [paw prints]
www.panamintcharlie.com
7 months since last visit.
10-29-06 Bob & Nancy & Marielle Dodds, Barstow
10-29-06 Mel & Jean Roode - Highland, CA — Desert Explorers
10-29-06 Emmett Harty Harder, San Bernardino
10-29-06 Chuck Cassel, Lucerne Valley, CA
10-29-06 Debbie Miller Maschke & Steve Maschke
10-29-06 Bill & Barb Howett R/C
10-29-06 Alan Wicken - Desert Explorers
10-29-06 Willie & Faye Kalajian - Newberry Springs, CA
10/29/06 George Gilbert - Thousand Oaks, CA
11/2/06
Rode quads here from Minnietta. Will hike to mine again. Great place, clean. Nice day. Plan on exploring defense mine after we leave here.
Jim Spring, Paso Robles
Terry Willium — Eureka
Just got back from mine took 1½ hours to get there.
11-19-06
My first time up here, nice place! Beautiful canyon, not-so-cute mice! We had fun shootin' this morning, though there's not much to shoot! Perfect weather, slight wind! Love it!
Krystal Stone (with Jeremy) + Dad
Nathaniel Sutterfield
24 Nov 06
Fun-filled day after T-Day, just a short visit to monitor the site. Things look good + clean. Marc, later!
Jill Kay in law [?]
Madeira, CA
ECV 41-49
Nov 24-06
Nice to see the cabin is well maintained. However, the smoke alarm needs a new battery.
Kingdog & Mack
12-17-06
Desert Dog — It's snowing! 6:45 PM
Got a fire going. Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
12-20-06
Came up — cabin looks good.
Jerry C. + Tammy
12-23-06
Jay Hier-Johnson
Fresno CA
All's well
1/29/07
Back till next year sometime. You never know [illegible]
Bob, Torey, and Skully
[crossed-out Russ]Russell Wyatt Russell
My explores are awesome this year hope to come back.
[drawing of car]
This is Butte Sulfur Hera, old husky [illegible]. Now I was here with your [Paws?] 17 [illegible]. Border dog (Bay Donnel) and a good dog since then. We have a new addition to our group, my first dog (German Shepherd). This is her 1st trip, best day in desert. I have probably been to almost all of the cabins within [my area] & in these realities and this is still my favorite. Moon is like a giant disco ball lighting up the desert! I'm glad [Bangular] Boy thought me that everyone at Minnietta because we ended up driving there and there were people there, so instead going back to somewhere close to camp I forced him to come here. Even though it was 5:30 PM.
[drawing of campfire]
"heat spin" / "immigrant"
2/10/06
2-11-06 6 Quilt R Dog
Yesterday drove up Butte Wash to Butte Valley. The moon is out like daylight at night. The earth is happy today.
Ray
2/28 - 3/1/06
Brought my Dad up to see the place. Was here for the first time on 1/28/06 with wife & friend. Looks pretty good, cleaned out and swept the floor, left some more firewood. Visited Minnietta first. Looked like someone was staying there. Stuff everywhere. Probably we won't be [illegible]
4-3-07 / 4-5-07
Spent a couple days. Weather was great. BEES everywhere!
B-Spec
4-7-07 → 4-5-07
- BEARS -
Larry W + Tabby [paw prints] [signature]
5-18-07
Debbie Miller Maschke
Steve Maschke
Scott McClinton
John Nixt
Just checkin' it out - HOT 100° today Whew!
Join the Desert Explorers! www.DesertExplorers.org
A division of Mojave River Valley Museum
5-19
We spent a peaceful, relaxing night. Hope to come again soon.
Desert Sky, Chuck, Izzy, Betzy, Junior & Sidekick
6-23-07: Desert Dog
7-22-07 - Day trip in.
Neil Oehm, Al Walters, Steve & Anita Spongler
8 Aug 07 - [illegible] - Lone Pine
Aug 8, 07 - "Alice At The Dump" from Lone Pine
I have to echo what "Rockslide" said on April 07, 06: Thanks guys — because of your efforts we have a fantasy get-away spot and not a pile of bleached lumber! This day: lovely… warm wood breezes (not hot). What a gift! I'm leaving a little poem from the Trona Museum for you all. Love to ya.
10-4-07
WINDY LAST NIGHT. PHIL F. & GLENN CAME HERE BECAUSE PHIL — WHEN BACK UP US OF THE TOP OF LOOKOUT DOGS. ALL HAPPY LITTLE JUSTIN IS HAPPY IN HIS CAR SEAT.
RAY
10/6/07
You shouldn't leave your wallet lying around.
Butte Surfer
7 Oct 07
Thanx for pointing us to this place [illegible] @ Panamint Springs.
Ken Elmer
[drawing of mountains]
5 Oct 07
GDR for ECV 41:49 Grub Gulch, Madera, Calif. Here for a quickie inspection trip. Overall, place remains well maintained.
Jerry K
Oct 27, 2007
Here w/ Jerry, my 1st time. Rocks lots & rocks. The cabin is awesome! Road sucks! Too late to stay longer, take in the ambiance (head-drunk, I suppose.) Anyway it likes in the heart of Calif. (Spain). Take privilege in walks of God here — it's beautiful! Will be back!
Sue
[drawing of rocks/landscape]
11/9/2007
What a mess! This place wasn't even cleaned for awhile. Cleaned up major in fireplace area. Slept outside under a clear sky. Seems we need to be a little more vigilant on clean up and maintainance. Hope the next guy doesn't mess up more.
Mountain High Chuck
Death Valley Dave 11/9/07
Jan 16, 2010
Cabin is very clean. Hope all who visit keep it this way. Cool night w/ excellent fire. Hope to return & explore the area. Homeward bound.
Micaldon Gren
Napa Valley Keepers
11-17-14-07
Someone stole the stove, tore down shelving + bunks. Also, someone burned all the firewood we brought up. VANDALS SHOULD BE SHOT.
[signature] + Tabby [paw prints]
11 Jan 08
Rich A. & Dana visited cabin & took ridge trail to the Surprise mine. Gorgeous, clear day.
JEEPNUT WAS HERE!!!
Anthony & Sheila from Bakersfield — Darwin, China Garden, PSR Lunch, Minnietta And Back Home 2-9-08
Anthony!
2-18-2008
Joe and Justin, we hiked up to the mine and saw what we could see. Great hike always.
2-19-08 B-Spec
2-20-08
Brooke + Hamlett Bain
Ridgecrest, CA
It's A Beautiful Day!
WHERE IS JOEL BRIGGS? PERSONA NON GRATA AT OSBORNE? NOW SCREWING OVER TOM W+ THE GOLD BUG! OUT OF REACH OF THE BLM.
Louis
02/20/08
Rain! Here we are
The Wolvertins
The Ochoa's
The Haglands
The Vaughan
[drawing of ATV and stick figure]
2/28/08 - Dan - boxcarcabin.com
3-2-08 - Jay, Myra, Logan, Jim + Diane
3/11/08
Vernon Watts stayed the nite. A little ratty but OK.
P.S. Just thankful it is still here.
3-17-08
Nice Place
Joseph son
Richard Moreschini - Dad and Mom
Stephanie Noyes - had good night, light snow. It was fun.
3-27-08 - Jay Hier-Johnson, Fresno CA, all's well
3-28-08 - [signature] LW + Tabby [paw prints]
04/05/08 - 6:30 PM
Dawn Haywood
Phillip Sino Cruz
Aiden Sino Cruz
Leslie Sino Cruz
Jonathan Lonzo
Phil & Dawn, Best wishes! Ate
Very clean and well stocked. We'll always have great memories here!
April 7, 08 - It's a long walk from blacktop! - Jerri Lee - Ridgecrest
April 12, 08 - On foot - Deanne Harding & Jerri Lee - from Minnietta Rd - Ridgecrest
April 15, 08 - Jerri Lee - AGAIN! On foot from north end of P10S
24 May 08
R² and Sylvia (his life). Just checking the cabin. Thanks to all for keeping it up. "Stu-Town brothers" at Briggs' cabin yesterday. Visited Panamint Crater. Camped at Zinc Mountain, Barnes, CA
9/19/08 - Just Checking In. Looks Great!
B-Spec
panamintvalley.com
10/13/08
Grateful to find place. Swept up rat poop, cleaned fridge with rubbing alcohol. Does anyone know what has become of Joel Briggs, the "founder" of this adopt-a-cabin?
TJ & OG
10/18/08
Dana, H.E. & Rich visited the cabin at 1 AM. Nicely cleaned up by previous visitors. Overall condition of cabin + ledges in good shape. Another gorgeous day in desert paradise.
Rich A.
FOSCC
10/24/08 - [illegible] Kelly, Dylan + [illegible]
panamintvalley.com
11/8/08
Came up for Panamint Valley Days. Nice cabin.
Day Stuart
Lakeside, CA
11-8-08
Sgt E. Stuart U.S.N. (Ret). Will bring down paint & wood to paint & cover hole on side not painted over. Thanks! [signature]
Monday before Thanksgiving 2008 - All's Well
Jay Hier-Johnson, Fresno CA
11-25-08
Put up flag pole, attached to eat [illegible] shots. Was sanded & stain-sealer - back details parts of floor until running out of stain sealer. Put out carelessk pieces for big horn sheep. Holding wars: Pat Stuart, Rick Morales and Skip & L Stuart U.S. Navy (Ret) — Vietnam 69+71 on USS Ticonderoga, CVA-14
→ Good! Please keep it up + Thanks!!
12-01-08
Stopped by during an outing. Place is in great shape.
Ken & Kyle Doonier
09 DEC 08
Great shape!!! I hate to see what it was before [illegible]. Needs a lot of work. Clean up!!
Ara, de-Woermmcher
→ WHINER! Sleep outside, then!
12-28-08 - Joe + Chris + Justin — Just came to stay tonight
1-23-09
John, Andy, Chaz + Ed came in. First time here. But too bad, just needs cleaning. We cleaned out the sink, made it a little nicer. We plan coming back soon.
[dog drawing] 1-25-09
3/1/14 [?]
Just passing thru — cabin looks great.
Joe [Classin] + Josh [illegible] — Bishop, CA
1/31/09 - I'm moving in!!! By the way, its haunted. Chris - Bishop, CA
1/31/09 - Need a roommate? Definetly haunted! Anna
2/9 - 2/10/09
Another Philst Tony's great adventures! Snowed on arrival after trying to get the Minnietta cabin — 'twas too cold. Half of the room [Hamish stood]. An Osborne cabin, which we had never seen but honestly found it well stocked. Lucky! Nice to see a picture of Strip Butt Cerro — even where we had stood before I got down to 20° last night. Old Pot-Belly stove can't [illegible] well. On our way to Death Valley today, & then onto Las Vegas for a convention thru Valentine's Day. No hummingbirds to speak of. Just the wind. Flag pole fine at. Fighter jets overhead. Starting breakfast with hot!! Coffee! Sumac wickup is way to the cabin entrance to warm us up.
Phil — Winter Park, FL.
Tony — Cypress, CA.
2/15
Very cold today. It hasn't changed much. See you next year.
[smiley face]
The Wolverton's
2-16-09 (?)
Desert Dog — starting to sleep snow [?] weather clear & fix my "clothes." Now, it's snowing! Wishing for August!!
2-16-09
Two members of Team Fbrave are searching for signs of the meen menace and government corruption. Nothing unusual to report at this time.
Team Brave @ Gmail.com
3-1-09
Desert Dog - Better Weather!
Sat & Sun 7am-9am. 1090AM "Let's talk Hook-Up!"
HookupJoab.com + XM SPA 72
9:02 AM - Weather Finally fits my "clothes!!"
3-6-09
Jim & me hiked up to the mine. I didn't make it — quit about 1/4 ways there. Jim made it all the way up to the top cable. Weather was just right — about 68°.
Peace - Jo & Smith — Chico, CA
3-18 - 3-19-09
Brought up decent chairs. I hope they will last. Had a nice time. Weather was mild. Didn't need a fire. A new outdoor is in the works, should be installed before summer. Wire got other plans, will take time. Too bad someone stole the stove. Please take good care of the OSBORNE.
THANKS.
John & Andy
3/20/09 Roy
3/21/09 [Barbara] Cowslat - by way of Coos Degas
3/20/09 Passed by, very nice. Kyle
3/2/09 Kirt Van Doren — Paso Robles, CA
3-20-09 LKNHDRT — LA, CA
3-28-09
First time here just stopping by to see the place. WILL BE BACK!! Absolutely beautiful. Can't wait to come back!!!
Michael & Joe Kazynski
28 Mar 09 - Check on cabin status, enjoy the cabin.
[signature] ECV 41-49 GDR 1852
3-28-09 - Time of my life! Joe Kazajcl [smiley]
3-30-09
Excellent! Thanks and Enjoy
Charlie, Mary, Lola, Pedro
Capo Valley 4 Wheelers
4-4-09
Ray Harrisberger
Tucson, AZ
Really nice. Love it.
4/13/09
Reg Leidy, Dave Hanson, John Irwin — CA. 2009 Death Valley Expedition. Great trip and location but no girls here!
[2009 - illegible] we drove up the road to get here. [illegible] said "it's better the end of the valley was a welcome sight, what a beautiful place. Thanks for the hard work of restoring this cabin.
Jamie, Rick, Conner & Haley — Santa Cruz, CA
4/18/09
This place is very cool. It was so windy last night so I hugged my Mom and went to bed.
Haley
4/18/09
This cabin is awesome! I loved the off-roading getting up here. There was so much wind almost knocked me down! It freaked the heck out of the dog a couple times. Thanks for restoring the cabin! I hope I could come back agian!!
CONNER
4/18/09
Meg + Steve here — Meg drew pictures on wall. Please don't trash our desert.
Ruby The Dog too!
[drawing]
4/24/09
Ivan + Bryan — were here, Oakland, CA
Nancy + Maria — were here, Tracy, CA
4-24-09 - John — Gayle Bailey, Pleasant Hill, CA
4-24-09 - Ken & Moreen Hoff from Concord, CA. A very nice cabin. Glad we came.
4-24-09 - Char + Dave Cates from Concord, CA. I wouldn't mind staying here for a night!! Great place!
4-24-09 - Neil Josephson + his Cody - Concord, CA
4/26/09
Don Fist — Milton, WA / Bill Close — Yuma, AZ
Been in the Panamint Valley many times but this is first time to Osborne cabin. Our compliments to those that maintain or improve these sites.
5/4/11
Don + Bill — 2nd trip — Thank you for this great place.
4/29/09
Made it up again. Got the outhouse installed. 30th trip. Had great weather, lots to do. BEAR (college) nap [illegible] around. [illegible] turn slept all night. The mice knew this! They were active the last night. Coming up again sometime cool.
The Como Clan: Andy, Ed, John
5/5/09 - Stopped for a visit. Nice cabin. LONER
5-21-09
Have been to Panamint Valley several times. We are on our 14th Annual Memorial Day Trip! Have never made it to Osborne, you are doing a wonderful job. So sorry someone took the stove. Leaving here, headed to Minnietta, then Jail Canyon. Don't know where we will end up. Keep up the wonderful work.
The Bass Alley Gang
Nov. 21 2009
Dill + Becky Bennett from Lompoc, CA — were here in the morning. Rode in on our 2 Can-Am quads. It is lovely. 50°+ plus, sunny, warm. Cabin here was nice surprise. We found some wonderful rocks for [inside] of a clam! In a rock, lovely place! We'd like to stay but didn't bring any sleeping bags. Stove is back! Or someone brought it, thought you have one. We have beautiful country up here and we hope people will take care of this cabin so all can enjoy it! May God Bless everyone who cares & cleans up a little!
Desert Steve 12-26-09
Kevin [Tulm] 12-26-09
12-31-09
New Years Eve. We are here: Michael, Terri, Cecily, Bill, Barbara — dogs Peppy and Dulce. Camping. We have ever done! The warmest and the beautiful atmosphere around it — wood and stove give a great feeling together. Full moon last night — all bright as daylight! Low here "brrr" and "moonwalk" hike last night. So happy to be all together here. Happy New Year — and live long and prosper!!
Sorry someone stole the stove in the past. We are enjoying the new so much, keeping wood in the cabin on it — we truly appreciate the cabin — cleaned up.
We are here
for the New Year —
In the mountains
where histories abounds.
The rocks tell their stories
of past mining glories —
Without making a sound.
The blue moon too is here
for the New Year —
Two times in December
It's shone.
"Once in a blue moon," they say —
and that is today.
As we toast in a cabin of stone.
So here's to two thousand ten —
May we be here again —
As we are blessed at present
to be —
We will work, study and play —
and remember the few —
With beauty as for as
we could see.
Barbara Peet
12-31-09
1-4-10
Charles, Richard Moreschini, stopped by on 1-4-10 - spent 2 nights. Great weather, nice mines, nice big flag, great outhouse - will be back.
1-9-10
Mike + Sue, Dogs Teo + Lizzie. 1st trip here, very nice. I would patch the roof if I could find some nails.
1/10/10
Wow! What a great place! Love this BLM program & will [hope to] do the same thing. Glad someone cares for the place. Next time we come we'll leave some provisions. Thanks to Friends of O.C.!
Mark & Debi Dawson — Camino, CA with Abby & Chicken Rock
2/27/10 1/23/10
Brought my friend up to see the place. Originally went to Minnietta but it was taken. It worked out good because when we got to the Osborne it was covered in snow all around everywhere. Got down to +20° and up to 80 inside the cabin at night. Glad I got to come back to see the place doing well. Last was here in 2/28 2006.
Torey, Wilbur, Skully
Feb 1-10
My first visit. Arrived 10 PM. Minnietta was all booked up. Roads are wet from recent precip, no dust, nice thanks.
Ron R.
DirtStreet@aol[.com]
2-4-6 [2010]
Richard, Virginia Moreschini — spent two nights, light-fog-rain-had real nice-old Alpha work — next time will being new door handle. God bless all who pass this way and may all the Adopt the Cabins last FOREVER.
2-7-10
All's well! Sweet spot. Glad to see people taking care of these cabins.
McClays from Alaska!
2-13-10
Hard to believe it's been six years since I've been up here. Considering I spend 2-3 weeks a year in the MDA — but it's a nice place!! Cabin was super clean when we got here after dark last night — after I took a wrong turn and drove all the way up Stone Canyon by mistake. Minnieta was occluded, as always these days. Surprised two mice hanging out on TV.
[continued from prior page] counter — they scrambled when hit with light. Latter, found a mouse scrambling to get out of the bucket under the sink. It couldn't jump high enough to get out — so it was a cannibal mouse, as the remains of one of his or her buddies were in the bucket too! Scene right out of a rodent horror movie!! I walked up the cabin a ways a jumped the bucket — last time I saw "Hannibal the Cannibal," he was heading up canyon — hopefully owl fodder!! (Cannibalism is wrong!!) Cabin itself looks much the same as 6 years ago. Read in log book of burned up shelving and stolen wood stove — the bastards!! Looked like the front legs of the stove were going to collapse, found some bolts this morn and fixed them and plugged the holes in the firebox w/ more bolts — should be sturdier now. Thanks! go out to the folks who repaired the wood stove!! Also, new outhouse is absolutely outstanding!! Thanks for that also!! Let's hope the BLM doesn't tear it down like the one at Astro Auit!! Booman at Ridgecrest set — outhouses reign the soil, or some such crap.
(Pun intended)
"Original Bigfoot" & "Mrs. Bigfoot"
Gary & Beth Nickel
Farmington, NM
garynickel@peoplepc.com
Presidents Day weekend — M.L. Aden w/ James of Ridgecrest, CA - San Carlos
19 Feb 10
feel Like "Dances with wolves" writing in gavernment log books… (I'm just say'en). Anyways, I got here @ 16:05, set up camp and started cleaning in back bunkhouse. (FOOC seems to have lost interest in the place 3 yrs later - Nothing changed here, just more rat crap.) Well I've been here 4 times now since late Jan 10 and I've been cleaning the place up. Thanks for fixing the stove and the roof whom ever did that! And hope to continue back to logging stuff, saw a mouse @ 17:23 set a fresh trap and @ 17:24 dead. Klaus my old Scout Master from Troop 808 isn't here. He would try and make me eat it cause I killed it.
- My brother asked me today if any of the cabins had fishing near them. I told him well "we have mousing!"
- If I put all this trash in the trash cans or a pile will some one take some away or all of it, I can only take a little.
- Brought a mop from 99¢ store.
- Hope that guy brings a new door knob or some thing.
- I'm hoping to find a stove & oven for here but I'm not going to spend more than a few buck for one.
- I want this place to be well kept like Kopper King or Thrift Holiday Inn in South Park.
- Lets make a small book shelf here… Take a book or leave a book kind of thing. I'm leaving [you?] we have 2 books.
- While cleaning this place I noticed that we do not have a first aid kit here. The first aid kit in Minnietta needs to be stocked.
- Showed this to a [good girl?] last weekend. He asked were he could make like a cash donation to help fix this place up. He is going to go to www.faoce.org cause I wasn't sure what to tell him. Wasn't think of the first aid kit back then. If something good happens from this it was [Grady?] — [illegible] that introduced him to the cabins hope to show him the Stone Hilton in South Park in a month or two.
(HA HA HA!!)
(Humans Nature!) People often come to the cabins and fall in love with them and only pack out their own trash, wish the world take just a little extra with them.
- 20:17 Maybe that was a mouse.
- Limit on trap 5
- No limit on mice
- If does any of the cabins have fishing LOL
- 20:22 Now that was a mouse
- 20:23 [illegible] No he's dead that mouse #2 is on trap. Saw for #3.
- Killed 7 even in middle fork one night.
20 Feb 10 - 01:14 awaken by [illegible] chomping [illegible] in trap. Hit it and with clonned backs. He's dead so the fire to send in corpse, and found mass on trap. Kill count now 1 rat 3 mice.
- Mopped floor today… Still new floor.
No more mouse activity noted. We will wait and see.
21 Feb 10 - 01:31 awaken by birds chirping, went to that two more mice on trap. Now counts: 1 rat, 5 mice.
02:15 Seen another mouse. I'll reposition traps.
Repositioning traps leads to 3 more dead mice.
Count 1 rat 8 mice.
24 Feb 10 - Returned to cabin to fix flag pole. New rope. Tchnup 10 min to repair. Free!! Old Glory fly's proud. "Priceless." If you met someone and find out that they are an [illegible] in the military or a vet don't forget to thank them for their service. "Well thanks for your service." That's all.
- We now have a small first aid kit, need a fire extinguisher.
- Left some canned food and a flashlight, left for a wash, roll paper towels, TP, drinks, silverware.
- 1 more dead mouse 1-9 count.
+2 more mice count is 1-11 on even 10.
March 3, 2010
Robin and Ned Holland visited from Reno, NV. What a lovely cabin. Not staying, just looking. Thanks!
March 3, 2010
Rode a big BMW motorcycle up here. 1200cc HP2. Arrived at dusk, and was very happy to find it unoccupied. I was at least hoping to find it with friendly folks inside, hard to believe it's empty. First impression was WOW! How is it possible that this exists — and that I can sleep here? Last nite I rolled into Minnieta cabin…
[continued] at dusk and some friendly folks that shared that cabin with me, and their bourbon & food. I loved that cabin and thought "this made my whole trip worthwhile!" We sat on the porch & watched satellites then went inside to a toasty warm fire. Slept on cots w/ only foam, heard the wild burros braying. It couldn't be better. The guys there said someone told them there was another cabin that was smaller + nicer a little bit north. I HAD to find this cabin. Well it was smaller + nicer! I had a nice dinner cooked on the woodstove, with lantern-light. Not a SINGLE mouse seen yet, 9:30 PM.
The reason this cabin is interesting to me is because I recently purchased land far out in the boonies, and plan to build a 200 sq f cabin. And that's exactly the size of this cabin, 12x16 (not counting sleeping room). So here I am sitting here drinking a Mammoth Brewing Co "Paranoids Pale Ale" and dreaming about my own cabin. THANK YOU. THANK YOU for this experience!!! All of you who work on this place, you are selfless and a treasure on this earth!
— Tom from Seattle (an avid boonies in Leavenworth)
P.S. When I arrived, the cabin was spotless (if that applies) and the "grounds" were freshly raked. Hard to believe. This place must be loved and rightly so! I wish my 3 girls were here with me, Lisa, Chloe & Sorrel. When I left I brushed the ground with a push-broom to make it look like only the wind has been here. Hope it worked!
3/13/10
Bill & Cheryl Pelzer — Just passing through. Love checking these old cabins out. Sunny day 91° on the way up the hill. It's a nice time to get back down the hill before dark.
4/2/10
Bill, Amory, Paul, Jeff, and Tyler stopped by & had lunch. What a great place! And what a great job, Joel & the Friends of Osborne cabin are doing! Keep up the good work… THANKS!
4/5 - Roy Scudy + Timara Irwin
4/5 - IRWIN FAMILY, Pasadena, CA
4/5 - Hanson Family, Sacramento, CA
4/7 - Greg Keesey and I (Ted McKinnon) rode up here on BMW GS's. Didn't know this cabin was here. Nice to see it's kept up. Chico, CA
4/8/10
This is a beautiful cabin! Thanks to everyone for maintaining it! Our first visit. Did not know it was here. Glad we decided to come up the canyon.
Mark & Deb [smiley]
Arrival at dusk on 09 April
Place looks loved, with fixes. Yup, found rat dropping on table. The large rats were harder to catch. Hope to but this one Problem Solved. So someone stoled the stove/oven some time ago. Brought a new use one back up the hill. I'm happy there are will hook it up like the one in K/K cabin. I don't have the stuff to do it. Brought some Tile fake you guys happy with sea cabin in some condition I left it in a month ago. There were green water under sink, maggots from. Also left a pen pipe light that can be hooked up at someone fixation the propane system. The stove and oven are set right for propane.
[signature] Duette
21 April
Arrived at cabin spent night cold. Place looks good.
[signature] Duette
4/23/10
Dick Wilimek - Oceanside, CA
ELLEN HOLDEN - San Diego, CA
This place is awesome!
4/23/10
Emma Fowler
Dan Fowler 3 - Hemet, CA
This place is wonderful!
5/2/10 Panrup Vally 4 Wheels
5/20 Stayed for a while. LONER
17 Jun
Found cabin in poor condition. Square left ther town. Flag pole is no bent so it needs to be fixed. Trash loft laying around in cabin.
Why! Why! Why?
06/20/10
Wandered by, spent a few days relaxing. Went up to the springs for a much needed cool soak. Do not drink the H₂O unless you boil it. Saw several burro's drinking from it. Saw war-shipes from [MCAS?] Yermo.
4/17 - Tony & Rich - Joel — Oregon, Troy
Richie
8-21-10 - The Como Clan Again!!
Came in on a hot day. Cooled down about 2:00 AM. Rest of the days got a little cooler, still hot. Installed new tank + [illegible] maybe it won't be stolen. Outhouse in great shape! Like new handle. Wish we had the parts for new stove to hook up.
Thanks for the table. It Rocks!!
14 Oct 10 [signature] Duelle
11-10-10
Virginia - Richard Moreschini came by. Spent night-cool-but nice - nice hole to mine - still are cable storing swing in the wind. Champ my friend/see you agin. Like the table! Pretty clean, yum.
11/28/10
To the dude who has been putting… new pens. Leave it anyways, thanks for your efforts! About me anyway and maybe we can work together over the next year. Herrera at aol dot com. I'm more of a taker, since I'm on my motorcycle for a few weeks, but next year this time I will be bringing my family in our Willys Wagon and can bring some things to spruce the place up. The place looks great, yeah the Louv. dance on the stove just broke off, I'll see if I can fix it in the morning… damn Chinese stove, kidding-nan, glad it's here as it's very cold out. I'm cooking a couple chops on the stove as I write. I'm almost glad Minietta was taken as this is too big for one person to keep warm anyways. Time for dinner. I'm starving and have yet to eat today. Ate half of the canned spinach I brought, burro can have the other half.
Nice to find another book to read, the one I snagged from the Stateline cabin is long gone. Banana for dessert, better go catch up on my journal...
* BLACK WIDOWS IN OUTHOUSE *
*** CAUTION ***
11/29/10
Down close to 20° last night, slept great. A rat fell in the waste-water bucket, ha-ha! He made it out and didn't come back. I hope he froze to death.
11/29/10 cont
Must have been a chunk of carbon fouling up the lower damper, works fine now.
This is a really nice table to have here.
Had a great stay! Stove is too hot to close out, I'll let the next person take care of it.
Thanks for the lonely box to hold me.
Rob Herrera
AKA Jerryboy ADV
AKA Lyrically Driven PV.Com
Best I could do with the flag by myself, need a smaller flag.
12/10/2010
It has been many years since I have been here. The cabin looks great!! We keep it up so it can be enjoyed for many years to come. One of my favorite photos of my Dad was taken here.
We are a group of family and friends. Mainly a couple of dads with their kids.
Steve Meyer of Ridgecrest, CA with daughter Victoria & he friend Tonne.
Eric Meyer of Tarzan Park, CA with daughters Jessie, Kellie and son Cam.
Sean Welch, Lebec, Calif with my two children Teresa 15yrs & Anthony 12yrs.
We love this place and greatly appreciate the efforts of so many especially FOC for keeping it up and making repairs.
12/31/10
Jeepering with friends.
Jack + Rick Sherman
Dixon, CA 43510
1/9/11
I've spent 3 days exploring the cabins of the Panamint Valley. A little bit of snow on the ground so the cabin is great world better. Seems to be the BEST cabin. But I love how quiet it is here.
Mark Henderson - Simi Valley
1/23/11
Spent 2 nights here out of our 5 in the Panamint. This cabin is in far better condition than I had imagined. We will be back soon with some supplies and tools to fix things, that door handle especially! Would like to do some more prospecting too. This trip didn't turn up squat. Left a full bottle of propane, charcoal lighter fluid and some firewood.
Gold Bug Sarah, South West Chuck, & Lizard Zone.
2/3/11
5 of us came by for just a look. Place was clean - yeah right - door handle needs help! Nice to see people who helping to keep this place up.
Jim, Hugh, Dave, Lou & John
2/8/11 Spent last night here. Not too cold. Stars were amazing! Very nice cabin — my (our) second time here, one of the nicest cabins in the Panamint/DVNP area, to be sure. The new outhouse is sweet! Thanks to whomever made it. — Our 9th bi-annual trip to the area.
Jim, Tecate CA Curt, Murrieta, CA
Chris, London, England
2-12-11 Had lunch with Weldon — Laurie Sherr[?]
Dave, Gail Beasfield, beautiful [illegible]
Bodie Dog loved it. [small drawing]
Happy Valentine's Day
[heart drawing with initials "L.S" and "W.S", pierced by arrow]
2-13-11 Awesome!! Had great time. 70° day, 32° night. Left some supplies & wood. We'll be back soon.
Clint & Brandi Barnes.
(2-17-11)–(2-20-11) LOERAS + COMOS
Stayed for 3 nights. Did the usual. Ate food, drank beer, played cards, shot guns & hiked. Got a bit of trail snow, but over all it wasn't too freezing. Fixed the door handle, and installed a hole for a plug to come from outside, and patched a hole above the window from outside. Didn't see any mice… mabey the dog was keeping them away. The place looked good when we got here, thanx. We'll be sure to do the same.
— Ian
3/11/11 — Spent last night here in the cabin. The place was in great shape, and very clean. I just swept up some dirt from the floor and dumped out the "draw water" from under the sink. The sky is clear and the weather is very mild. It only dropped down to ~45° last night. Thanks to all who work on this cabin and keep it up! Until someone can bring up a larger one, we dropped off a small fire extinguisher that shall be able to put out a small propane fire in an emergency.
— Brian Smolke[?] & Dale Smolke[?] (smokefire on webshots)
3/19/11 C[illegible] - Passing through
3/20/11 Boulder City Jeep Gang
Carl, Betsy, Ron, Deni, Fred, Joyce & Capt. Bob
3/22/11 McCoy Family — leaving for a little while to get gas. Will be back shortly!
3/24/11 From Idaho (McCoy's) Cabin saved our trip — rained & blew all night, 27° this AM & we were so grateful to be warm & snug in this delightful cabin. Many thanks to whomever is doing all the great work on it, & if we get to come by again, will bring wood, TP, & something to contribute!
3/26/11 STEVE + LEVA FOUND THIS PLACE BY ACCENDENTS. NICE PLACE. (L.F.M.). Riverside 4 Wheelers.
WE FILL THE LEFT 5 GAL WATER.
[COULD NOT?] FIND THE BUTTERFLY, LET IT STAY AND HAVE GOOD LUCK THE REST OF YOUR DAY
3-30-11 [mark/signature]
Back Date March 6-7. Rode out here from LA with my buddy Chitown AND made Osborne Home Base. Following day rode up Hunter Mtn (a little snow & mud). Around to Teakettle, Racetrack, and Lippincott. Met up with 2 of Chi's friends AND brought them out here as well. The following day I went out solo AND THEN BACK TO LA. Chi & crew attempted previous day's route in reverse before evil red-eyed cows cursed him on Saline Valley road and crashed. But luckily, BACKPACK STEALING BURROS saved the day and we had a TRUCK RIDE back to LA.
[illegible cursive note]
March 30-31, 2011 The view from the toilet at Osborne was so good this time I had to bring my girl with me and since Chitown wadded up the bike I was going to borrow. I rented a stock Jeep Wrangler from LA. 1st spent a couple nights in Vegas. Last night we were at Stella's cabin. Also another great poo spot looking at Striped Butte. Over Mengel and later with side trips to Goler Mine and the Barker Ranch. Tonight we'll gaze at more stars.
— Lew Kiecker & Wendy
BTW, THE WARM MODELO WE LEFT HERE A COUPLE WEEKS BACK STILL TASTES AWESOME.
March 31 Woke up early (rats everywhere) and discovered Jeep had a flat. Had a flat 20 min into dirt road so no spare to get us out. Kiecker left alone at 8:20 am walking with a tire back at noon with some folks and a dog who had a pump. We're now getting ready to go. Hopefully we will make it out soon. 🙂
W
Picked some garbage.
Take a hike up... the view is nice and beware of mice.
They'll come after your food.
4/3/11 Looking for a little shelter from the strong winds we headed to Osborne Canyon — expecting to find an old, rat-infested shack-y shack. Boy were we surprised — and GRATEFUL — to find these 5-star accommodations! THANK YOU, Joel, work party & FOOC for all your hard work — much appreciated. Hiked the little saddle behind cabin for an amazing sunset vista — well worth the hoofin'! Slept fairly decently, despite those wild burro-hair mattresses — what the heck is in those things anyway — sagebrush?!?! Guess ol' pard was sleeping in too long in the lower bunk so lonely Jenny across the canyon sounded her 6:30 alarm — no joke! The sound of that bray echoing across the canyon, breaking the silence of this canyon was icing on the cake. Found a few mouse turds around so wiped everything down w/some bleachy water which I'll leave for the next visitor. Only here would I not mind doing housework! Happy Trails —
60°AM Catty Wolfe Brentwood, N. Calif
Pick-Axe Paul Voortman Escalon, Calif
P.S. — taking one BIG black garbage bag of trash! take it out, people — it blows away from those burn barrels
4/5–4/6 2011 — "ORIGINAL BIGFOOT" — Farmington, New Mexico.
11TH DAY IN THE BACKCOUNTRY —
TIME TO GO ~~HOME~~ BACK TO WORK —
THIS IS HOME.
April 11, 2011
Just arrived our first time here — Lee and Shell[y?] gave us directions to this place (sort of) anyway. I have spent the last 9 days in Saline. Stopped and had dinner at Panamint Springs where all the $ rooms were taken — so we started up this trail at night. It is now the next morning, I have had some sleep — can see better to write this anyway. What a sweet find and how very nice of those who have come here and treated this place with the respect it deserves.
Thank-you
Tim & Joni
Getting closer to home
Thank you to all the people that have put a lot of time, energy, money into preserving this bit of our history. You know who you are. THANK YOU!! And to those that come here for enjoyment and leave this place a little better than they found it THANK YOU!! We filled up the Coleman Lantern with WHITE GAS and swept up — That's all we had to offer but when we come back we will bring some wood for the stove and some CANNED GRUB for the Kitchin. Bless all who give a real shit about America and her past.
Tim Powers
Randsburg — CA.
April 11th — 2011
Place looks amazing. Thanks for keeping it up.
B-SPEC
THANKS SPEC!
DESERT4WD
