Just after you get through the road cut in the mountain, pull far over to the right shoulder of the road and stop. (W) Get out of the car and walk across the road (North). The old cottonwood tree stump on the N.E. corner of the little hill marks the approximate location of the original springs. If you look out N., E, & S. from this spot the clumps of large green that you see are Screw Bean Mesquite and they mark the area that used to be a marsh. In the 1920's it was covered with water much of the year. In the 1930's and 40's it was wet in the winter and covered with mesquite, tulles, salt grass and wild grapes.

      The narrow area between the marsh and the Eastern slopes of the Newberry Mountains protected from the prevailing west winds, shady, good water, fire wood, lots of game, an ideal camping area.

      This area was used extensively by the Indians. (H) For evidence of this, take a short hike (provided you don't have leather soled shoes) up the Indian trail on the E.N.E. corner of the hill. When you reach the top, take a look over the south edge of the hill. That narrow winding road that you see leading to the S.S.E. along the base of the Newberry Mountains is what was once the old original Hwy. 66 . It was originally built here to avoid the marsh and the southern tip of Troy dry lake further east. Back at the top of the hill, continue over the crest towards the W.S.W., then bear to the right. There are Indian writings on the West facing rocks about 20 ft. below the top of the hill. As you retrace the path back down to the springs, watch on your right about half way down the trail. You will see an Indian grinding hole with many flint chips around. Just look and take pictures only. Notice the small, smoke darkened, rock, shelter areas to the West and South of the grinding hole. Back at the springs, take a walk to the East and notice all of the broken dishes, tin cans, car parts, etc. This is evidence of the travelers of yesteryear: trappers, traders, Indian slave runners, horse and cattle rustlers, refugees of the dust bowl, gypsy's, etc. You can still see the remnants of Cattail reeds, tulles and other evidence of the marsh that existed here before the water table dropped in the area due to earthquakes and overdraft by man.

      Walking back to your car, notice the light grey-green bushes that are predominant at the base of the hill to your right. This is Desert Holly. It has small red berries on it at Christmas time. It flourishes in high alkaline soil. The alkali and other borates that are in the little moisture that this plant uses, are deposited by the plant on its leaves that turn them from their true light green to white. This white color reflects much of the heat from the desert sun, allowing this plant to survive in this harsh environment.

      Continue driving east on National Trails Hwy.

      To your right is Echo Ranch which is behind Ward's Pistachio Orchard and was once the location of an artesian water source that fed ponds of water lilies.

      The canyons that you see to your right on the N.E. sides of the mauve colored Newberry Mountains are riddled with many caves used by early man 20,000+ years ago. Newberry Cave and Schuilling Cave are two such archaeological sites.

      It is interesting to note that these mountains are the home of Desert Big Horn Sheep, Chuckar Partridge and a species of mauve colored rattlesnake unique to this area.

      Right turn (South) onto Newberry Rd. Mile 1.4 [34-49.40N] [116-39.77W]