1. Interesting History
There is an interesting story surrounding how the ranch came to be, and no better way to hear it than speaking with the owners. The Ranch was originally known as Chinaman Ranch and was owned by a Chinese man named Quon Sing/ Ah Foo. He was allegedly a farmer who fed the neighboring Death Valley borax mines. However, around 1900, he was shot off the property by a despicable character named Morrison, who wanted to hijack the property.
Over the years, the property has seen many owners and served many purposes. It is currently a forest of date palms since the Brown family purchased the farm back in 1970. They allow hikers and seasonal visitors to have a good time on the ranch. If you are looking to witness the harvest season, you should check out the place around September through December.
2. Engaging Network of Hiking Trails
The ranch boasts an extensive network of engaging trails varying in lengths and suitable for all age brackets. The six main trails range between a few hundred yards and several miles for experienced hikers. The Creek Trail is the easiest and most child-friendly, with the 2.5-mile Mesa trail being the most engaging. Here you get to witness lots of wildlife, from plants to animals. You could spot a fox, bobcat, jackrabbit, coyote, or cottontail if you're lucky. You also stand a chance to see the Nevada speckled dace, which is a rare native fish. Even better, the trails end up in the ridges, so you can enjoy the spectacular views of the ranch below.
3. Cool Treats and Trees
After a good time hiking, you can check out the ranch’s gift shop for some amazing treats. You get to try some of the world’s best date shakes and tasty date-based snacks. You can pick some up and snack on your way home. Even better, you can order some of their products on their website, chinaranch.com. If you also want some date palms for landscaping, they can also get you the best there is.
The ranch is open every day of the week between 9 am and 5 pm except on Christmas. For more information, you can call them on 760 852 4415 or check out their website.