Indian Wells (aka Lanfair Buttes) is located within the sprawling & beautiful Mojave National Preserve (2,400 square miles). This outcropping has lots of petroglyphs, with all kinds of designs represented. There’s a natural well located at this site, which was one of the few places to obtain water in this area, thus making this a special place for ancient people. There are always lots of jackrabbits in the area and it’s not unusual for them to dart across the trail as you’re driving. But, on my first visit to this site I had an unusual animal encounter with a badger running across the trail. It happened so fast I couldn’t grab my camera in time before it was out of site, disappearing among the cholla cacti and creosote bushes. I’ve seen plenty of signs of badgers with their burrows, but this was the first time I encountered one in the desert.
Please click on the images below:
Hello,
Are the petroglyphs right off the dirt road?
Thanks
Compliments on your site.
On your Indian Wells Petroglyphs page, you mention seeing a badger. I was in Mojave Preserve early November. Cruising along New York Mt. road, heading west toward Caruthers Canyon, we saw a coyote up ahead on the road, followed moments later by what we thought was a pup. But the pup turned out to be a badger; the two animals were no more than ten feet apart. Your sighting of a badger near Lanfaire Butte confirms for me that they occur in that area.
By the way, if you haven’t been up into Caruthers Canyon, you must! It’s magnificent. No petroglyphs, as it’s all granite with little or no dark varnish, but there are 1920’s era mine shafts galore, truly stunning rock formations all around and on every side, and excellent campsites.
Hi Tom,
Thanks for stopping by and checking out my blog…much appreciated! Yes, there are definitely badgers in the areas and I’ve come across several of their burrows. I ‘think’ badgers are generally nocturnal, so spotting them active in the daytime can make the seeing them rather rare.
I haven’t been up to Caruthers Canyon, but Ill definitely need to make my way there. Thanks for the recommendation!
Happy Exploring!