Rock Novak is currently the store/museum owner and only resident in Ballarat. Across from the store is an old truck that supposedly belonged to Charles Manson. ------ Ballarat Info: http://www.desertusa.com/mag99/apr/stories/ballarat.html ------ Ghost Town Information: http://www.ghosttownexplorers.org/ (great info!) ------ From http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/04/16/165630.php: I live a few miles away from Barker Ranch and Ballarat in the town of Trona. The green truck is still there in good shape and a caretaker watches over the ghost town where a movie called Danger Zone was made in the 80s. The truck is fine and still bears the painted black sky and stars (or pentagrams) on the inside of the roof. Email me for pictures and I will try to help. (See other comments from the same name, url or both. Experimental: IP) Comment 15 posted by Rock Novak c/o on June 4, 2004 08:47 PM: My buddy Pete is allowing me to clear up some points. As "mayor" of Ballarat I am also caretaker of this ghost town. It is a wonderful place in Panamint Valley and gateway to the Barker Ranch where Charles Manson and his people lived for so long. One of his girls lived in nearby Trona for a while until she moved to Texas a few years back. The pickup is here still. There is a working goldmine. I am anxious to find a lady about 30-50 who is interested in living here with me for a while to help document the history of this area. Quite a task. Somebody who loves history and with an eye to journalism would be great. I can supply the home, food and companionship. Write to Rock Novak, PO Box 80, Trona, CA 93592. (See other comments from the same name, url or both. Experimental: IP) Comment 16 posted by Rock Novak on June 6, 2004 01:32 PM: As caretaker of the ghost town of Ballarat, close to Manson's Barker Ranch, I should have mentioned visitors are always welcome here. We have cold drinks, munchies, rest rooms and hot showers with gold and silver ore for sale along with emergency car supplies. Rock Novak. (See other comments from the same name, url or both. Experimental: IP) Comment 17 posted by Chris Kent on June 14, 2004 02:10 PM: Peter, Thank you for info on the infamous truck, and am glad to see it is still residing, free of vandalism, in that dusty, quiet town. Rock, That's quite an offer. Good luck! When I was in Ballarat last summer there was not a soul to be found and the general store was locked up as tight as an old man's trunk. I enjoyed sitting on the porch, about as isolated as I've ever been. It was a beautiful spot, but at 117 degrees (there was a thermometer on the front porch), I just stayed in the shade, cursed the heat and poured water on my head. After two minutes, my head was as dry as if I had just used a blowdryer.....Let the kids know there's a well at Barker Ranch, and the spring water is quite good...........rugged conditions, to say the least, but hey, I'm just a city boy from Dallas.......;) (See other comments from the same name, url or both. Experimental: IP) Comment 18 posted by AManda on October 20, 2004 08:51 AM: ------ From http://www.sidekickoffroad.com/maps.htm General Information The Panamint Mountains contain considerable history about mining in the late 1800's. Ballarat began in 1897 after the miners outgrew their settlement in Pleasant Canyon (Clair Camp). Each day miners rode on wagons nearly six miles to Clair Camp before taking the 2,400' aerial tramway to the Radcliffe Mine (6,496'). Chris Wicht, Ballarat's bartender, made his home at the mouth of Surprise Canyon. Today George Novak and his son, Rocky, are living there and mining a nearby claim. Panamint City is located at the top of Surprise Canyon. During the Panamint City boom days, 1873-1876, the main street housed nearly 2,000 miners and some population figures are as high as 5,000. The bottom section of the road washed out in 1984 and now requires a winch to get over the seven falls. The road into Happy Canyon was closed by the Desert Protection Act (DPA) about 2.5 miles up the canyon. If you hike it, the road winds up into the Panamint Mountains past an old mill site and through brush as it follows the stream. Near the end of Happy Canyon is a cabin and small mine of the Westons, who still operate it. Surprise Canyon requires a winch to climb over three washed out sections. The Trail Guide describes Surprise Canyon, Pleasant Canyon and gives details on a trip through Goler Wash across Mengel Pass and into Death Valley. This is the only connecting 4WD road between Panamint Valley and Death Valley. Of course, the trip wouldn't be complete without stopping by Barker Ranch, the place where Charles Manson was captured. There are many cabins throughout the area which welcome visitors to stay on a first-come basis. The owners simply ask you to keep the cabins neat and sign the "guest book." These mountains are a great place to explore. However, with the expansion of Death Valley "green stickered vehicles" can only travel a short distance up the canyons before reaching the park boundary. For street legal vehicles, only Happy Canyon was closed by the DPA. If you wish to explore the area with an organized group, contact the Calif. Association of 4Wheel Drive Clubs for details on their annual Panamint Valley Days event held in November each year (916) 332-8890. It is possible that the new park could close Surprise Canyon. So if you're planning a trip up Surprise Canyon, call the park before you leave home. ------ From http://ghosttowngallery.com/cgi/gtgbook/gtgbookarchiv.html: Name: Coach Bodie E-mail: coachbodie@teacher.com Texas Jess and myself hit 5 ghosttowns from May 25-29th May 25: Made the drive from No. Cal. and Camped at Calico. May 26: Calico...were overwhelmed by all the tourists but managed to get some history from the docents when the tourists left. Camped at Calico again!!! May 27: Ballarat and Panamint City...Left Calico at 3:30 AM for Ballarat. Hiked Surprise Canyon in 3 hours(cheated death w/a rattle snake), fought heat delirium, loved Panamint(had the whole canyon and town to ourselves), made hike down w/stop to cool off in falls in 2 and 1/2 hours. 109 degrees in Ballarat; Met George Novak at Ballarat General Store(Said we was generous boys for leaving 3-12 packs w/Rocky to watch Jess's truck!!! Made drive to Bridgeport..ate at Bridgeport Inn!!! Stayed at the Silver Maple!!! May 28: Aurora and Bodie...Breakfast at Hays Street Cafe. Made climb to Aurora in Jess's truck. Checked out St. John's Cemetary. We're in awe of the size of the town and wishful they had left up the buildings!!! Went to Bodie...packed w/people!!! Visited our favorite local haunts...took Old Road 169 back. Ate at Bridgeport Inn again!!! Stayed at the Silver Maple again!!! May 29: Headed Home...one last breakfast at Hays Street Cafe and headed back to Bay Area!!! ------ From http://www.death-valley.us/posts989-0.html: PANAMINTCHARLIE Desert Rat Joined: Feb 23, 2003 Posts: 132 Location: Pine Valley,Ca Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2003 5:13 pm Post subject: Hey L.P. I have been to that town once or twice and have a limited knowledge of the area. Parking is available at Novac Camp(Chris Wicht Camp). It's common knowledge to regular visitors that if you give Rocky Novac a few bucks he will try to keep a eye on your ride. (the money he says is for gas for the tractor he uses to keep the road open after floods) I take him and George a 12 of MGD. I would not worry at all about vandalism. From the trail head it's under a mile to the Falls and from there it's under 5 miles to the city. Water flows from all the springs year round. I have been drinking from them untreated for some time now with only minor brain damage.(Drink at the source) Snow falls around January and February with the snow line less then a mile below town. During the last el nino I saw 18 inches and 3 foot drifts. There is plenty to see in the area.(I lost count after 54 mines and prospects) Old machinery from the 70's and 80's.( we got the pony running on the old D8 Cat) I have found the best stuff up there by staying off the trails. I would like to know when you go. I am planning a four+ day hike in January and a few shorter hikes before that in November and December. E-Mail me if you have any questions about anything up there, I might be able to help. Happy Trails panamintcharlie@cox.net http://www.panamintcharlie.com Last edited by PANAMINTCHARLIE on Mon Sep 29, 2003 2:27 pm. Edited 1 time in total. ------ From http://www.allthingsjeep.com/sid27112.html: Each Sidekick Off Road Map features: - A State Map showing where the trail is located. -A Vicinity Map (shown online) to guide you to the area where the trail is located. -A Detailed Topographic Map drawn to scale. The topographical map guides you through the trail or area by showing roads, 4x4 trails, creeks, washes, gates, trail difficulty ratings, camping locations and points of interest that are numbered to correspond with the Trail Guide. -A Trail Guide describes the trail or trails through the area. Full color photos are used to help show the area. -The General Information (shown online) section provides background on the area. -The Statistics Section (Stats) gives all the vital information about the area. For example: costs, nearest hospital, land manager's phone number, camping information, limits, etc.. -The Off Road Tips section includes safety, equipment and driving techniques. THIS MAP: Published 1995. The Panamint Mountains are 38 miles northeast of Ridgecrest, California. Most of the mountains are within the Death Valley National Park. Street legal vehicle is required within the National Park. OHVs (green stickered vehicles) are allowed on existing roads outside the Park on public lands managed by the BLM. Desert terrain full of history and mines. NOTE: Surprised Canyon is now CLOSED to motorized vehicles! (6/01) General Information The Panamint Mountains contain considerable history about mining in the late 1800's. Ballarat began in 1897 after the miners outgrew their settlement in Pleasant Canyon (Clair Camp). Each day miners rode on wagons nearly six miles to Clair Camp before taking the 2,400' aerial tramway to the Radcliffe Mine (6,496'). Chris Wicht, Ballarat's bartender, made his home at the mouth of Surprise Canyon. Today George Novak and his son, Rocky, are living there and mining a nearby claim. Panamint City is located at the top of Surprise Canyon. During the Panamint City boom days, 1873-1876, the main street housed nearly 2,000 miners and some population figures are as high as 5,000. The bottom section of the road washed out in 1984 and now requires a winch to get over the seven falls. The road into Happy Canyon was closed by the Desert Protection Act (DPA) about 2.5 miles up the canyon. If you hike it, the road winds up into the Panamint Mountains past an old mill site and through brush as it follows the stream. Near the end of Happy Canyon is a cabin and small mine of the Westons, who still operate it. Surprise Canyon requires a winch to climb over three washed out sections. The Trail Guide describes Surprise Canyon, Pleasant Canyon and gives details on a trip through Goler Wash across Mengel Pass and into Death Valley. This is the only connecting 4WD road between Panamint Valley and Death Valley. Of course, the trip wouldn't be complete without stopping by Barker Ranch, the place where Charles Manson was captured. There are many cabins throughout the area which welcome visitors to stay on a first-come basis. The owners simply ask you to keep the cabins neat and sign the "guest book." These mountains are a great place to explore. However, with the expansion of Death Valley "green stickered vehicles" can only travel a short distance up the canyons before reaching the park boundary. For street legal vehicles, only Happy Canyon was closed by the DPA. If you wish to explore the area with an organized group, contact the Calif. Association of 4Wheel Drive Clubs for details on their annual Panamint Valley Days event held in November each year (916) 332-8890. It is possible that the new park could close Surprise Canyon. So if you're planning a trip up Surprise Canyon, call the park before you leave home.