They say the desert is empty, but if you know where to look, it’s actually full of holes. Some were made by volcanoes (lava tubes), some were made by miners looking for gold (mines), and some were made by… well, things we’re still trying to identify.
This weekend, the Pair of Medics crew loaded up the rigs to explore the darker side of the map. Our mission? To find the underground passages of the Southwest, explore the ruins of boom-towns gone bust, and hopefully not wake anything up in the deep dark.
Here is the trip report.
Basecamp and The “Site Supervisor”
First rule of expedition travel: The driver picks the music, but the dog picks the campsite.
We set up the rig—rooftop tent deployed, gear organized, and the “Chief Morale Officer” stationed under the tailgate. He’s small, he’s fierce, and he demands a high level of comfort. You might think we run this operation, but one look at him judging us from the shade tells you who is really in charge.
When the temperature dropped, the Supervisor donned his tactical plaid vest. It’s important to look professional while sniffing for ground squirrels and/or cryptids.
The Red Rock Mystery
We pushed out of the volcanic fields and into the red rock canyons. The geology here is chaotic—perfect hiding spots for mines and caves. We hiked up to the ridge lines, scanning for the tell-tale tailings piles that indicate an old prospector’s claim.
Instead of gold, we found sinkholes and ancient water sources. Rob (the Salty Mechanic) was convinced the water was actually coolant for a subterranean alien mothership. We can’t confirm or deny that theory, but the water was unnaturally still.
Civilization (Sort Of)
After days of eating dust and crawling through lava tubes that smelled like old campfires, we emerged back into what passes for civilization in these parts.
We hit the “Nugget”—a classic holdout of neon and noise. It’s not quite a ghost town, but it has that “frozen in time” quality that fits right in with our trip. Hazmat took the opportunity to show off the mustache in its natural habitat: under a casino sign on a gloomy day. We refueled on coffee that tasted like asphalt (the good kind) and plotted the next leg of the trip.
The Sunset Limit
The best part of hunting for caves is that eventually, you have to come up for air. We ended the trip on a high plateau, watching the sun burn out behind the volcanic ridges.
This landscape is harsh. It’s full of sharp rocks, deep holes, and abandoned dreams. But when the light hits it just right, you understand why people kept digging.
The dog, of course, slept through the sunset. He was busy recharging in the back seat, dreaming of the next adventure.
Trip Stats:
- Mines Explored: 3
- Lava Tubes Crawled: 2
- Ghost Towns Visited: 1
- Pineapples Eaten: 0 (Saving those for the Yucca Man)
- Dog Naps Taken: Infinite
Until next time, keep your flashlights fresh and your curiosity wild.
— A Pair of Medics
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