The Gold Fevered Ghost of the Misplaced Horse Mine in Joshua Tree Nationwide Park

On the paths main as much as the deserted Misplaced Horse Mine in Joshua Tree Nationwide Park, individuals discuss a ghost mentioned to hang-out the place, the spirit of a miner who died ravenous as he was searching for his misplaced gold. 

Tucked away within the rugged expanse of Joshua Tree Nationwide Park, the Misplaced Horse Mine stands as a relic of a bygone period of gun slinging cowboys, horse thieves, gold fever, the place over 300 mining claims as soon as dotted the panorama. 

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Joshua Tree Nationwide Park, situated in southeastern California, is an unlimited desert panorama identified for its rugged rock formations and iconic Joshua bushes. Spanning almost 800,000 acres, the park encompasses two distinct desert ecosystems: the Mojave and Colorado Deserts. Wealthy in cultural historical past, Joshua Tree additionally preserves proof of previous civilizations, together with Native American petroglyphs and remnants of Nineteenth-century gold mining.

The Misplaced Horse Mine

Perched on a peak of the San Bernardino Mountains among the many cacti, yucca and wildflowers, this historic gold mine lies between Misplaced Horse Valley to the west and Nice Valley to the east, about 15 miles north of the Metropolis of Indio in Riverside County.

The Misplaced Horse Mine Path winds by means of the tough, arid terrain of the Mojave Desert, main adventurers to the dilapidated remnants of what was as soon as a bustling gold mine. The Misplaced Horse Mine was one of many few profitable mines within the San Bernardino Mountains from 1894 to 1931 when it shut down for good. This was due to the local weather of sizzling summers, lack of water and wooden sources in addition to being so removed from every part made transportation and working a mine difficult. 

The person who began it was a person named Johnny Lang collectively together with his three companions. The identify the Misplaced Horse comes from a narrative from 1890 when Johnny Lang met two outlaws that threatened him after stealing his horses. 

Legend of the Misplaced Gold

Nonetheless, the journey is not only a step again in time but in addition a brush with the supernatural. In accordance with native lore, the mine is haunted by the ghost of a miner who met a tragic finish in a horrific accident. His stressed spirit is alleged to wander the world, eternally looking for his misplaced gold. Who was this miner? Though not all sources of the ghost story state his identify, the story of Johnny Lang and his ending absolutely is a haunting one. 

After the Misplaced Horse Mine ceased operations, Johnny Lang returned to the location round 1923. In accordance with tales, Lang had stashed away stolen amalgam on the mill web site, which he couldn’t retrieve when he was pushed away from the mill. When he returned, he hoped to search out it however continued prospecting with out a lot success. 

Sometimes, he offered “pure gold bullion” to native homesteader Invoice Keys. Maybe he actually did discover a few of it? However it could actually’t have been a lot, if any in any respect because the state of him in his remaining days have been dire. Invoice Keys’ son, Willis, recalled seeing a malnourished Lang go to their ranch sooner or later, operating his fingers throughout the enamel of a meat noticed, looking for any indicators of contemporary meat. It was additionally mentioned he walked in all places as a result of he had eaten his horse. 

In January 1925, Lang left a notice on his cabin door, stating he was going for provides. Invoice Keys discovered his physique two months later, with solely a small piece of bacon wrapped in wax paper in his possession. Lang was buried the place he was discovered, however tales of his hidden gold persevered and he didn’t get the prospect to relaxation in peace. Some believed a map to his stash was buried with him, resulting in his physique being dug up twice. On the second time his cranium was stolen, however the gold continues to be mentioned to be misplaced.

Lang’s Misplaced Gold Nonetheless Haunting the Misplaced Horse Mine

As you hike the path, the scorching desert warmth would possibly all of a sudden be pierced by an inexplicable chilly breeze, sending shivers down your backbone. This chilling sensation is usually reported by those that dare to tread this path, a stark distinction to the everyday desert local weather. 

Unusual noises, too, plague the world. Some hikers swear they hear the unmistakable sound of pickaxes putting rock, an eerie echo of the Misplaced Horse Mine’s bustling previous, regardless of the encircling silence. May it’s the ghost of Johnny Lang searching for his gold?

Unexplained actions and shadowy figures are widespread sightings amongst those that courageous the path at nightfall or daybreak. It’s as if the spectral miner isn’t content material with solitude and seeks to make his presence identified to all who enterprise close to his area. 

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