I'm planning my first real expedition. I'm going explore around Robber's Roost near Inyokern. It's only an hour or two from where I live, and I wanted to get out in the Mojave. I just kind of picked is based on information in the "United States Treasure Atlas, Volume 2" by Thomas P. Terry on pages 154 and 155. It seems that it has probably been explored pretty well, and I really do not have a cache hunting detector, but I just want to get out there.
I use the Kern County Geographic Information System (http://www.co.kern.ca.us/gis/) and Google Earth to check it out. I can use the APN's off the GIS to get parcel ownership information from a title company website - to check for private property. Things look OK so far, (many parcel owners listed as "USA" - federal land) but I'm a little worried that it is near the California Aquaduct, with property being owned by L.A. County. It's listed as public, but I'm thinking there may be some heartburn about operating near a water supply.
Anyway's, I was wondering if anybody had any info on the area. I am especially interested on any precise info related to the location of the Freeman Junction stage station - or just general tips on what to look for when determining where ruins may have once stood in the desert.
From "United States Treasure Atlas, Volume 2" by Thomas P. Terry p.154-155:
"Freeman S. Raymond operated the Freeman Junction stage station, bar and rest stop SW of today's location of Freeman Junction... It was believed by his relatives and friends that he buried a considerable amount of gold coins... The hoard is probably in the area of the spring in the wash just below the site of his stage station..."
Spent the last weekend at the site of the old Freeman Stage stop. It was originally known as "Coyote Holes", and was active from the 1870's through the beginning of the last century. The best known event was a robbery conducted by the Vasquez gang. It was said that they hid in Robber's Roost, a rock formation about a mile south of the stage station, before robbing the station. Amounts vary, but the best information I uncovered revealed that $1700 was stolen. There are other lengends indicating that a stage was swept away in a flash flood that contained gold bullion. It is also said that the stage station owner, Freeman, hid caches of gold around his place. He seemed to have a booming liquor business in addition to is normal activities.
I was able to camp in the wash just below the level area where the stop was situated:
Here's the view of where the stage stop was from Robbers Roost:
This is a small cave, now caved-in, which the Freeman's used as a root cellar:
I didn't find anything of note, only lots of square head nails. You can make out where the rock walls were. There is plenty of trash around. It is situated right next to the LA viaduct. Had a lot of fun!
Since you want to venture out in this area I thought you might like to see this old reference map. My family "saw" a lot of color around the Jawbone Canyon area back in the '50's-60's. The family has maintained homes in the Randsburg area going back over 60yrs, until 3 yrs. ago when the last one got too old to be alone out there. M
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a lot of color around the Jawbone Canyon area back in the '50's-60's. The family has maintained homes in the Randsburg area going back over 60yrs, until 3 yrs. ago when the last one got too old to be alone out there. 
M
