Where is Steven Geisler?

Fool’s Gold

Lytle Creek, nestled in the canyons above Rancho Cucamonga, is rich in history of mining, shootouts and murder.

In addition to the native Serrano Indians, the first white settlers to the area were the Mormons in the 1850’s.

After the Gold Rush, boom towns and camps with such names as Cerro Gordo, Eldoradoville, Goldstone, Ragtown, Providence, Dale and Coolgardie would spring up almost overnight. Just as fast as they became known, they would soon fold once the the gold veins paid out. The town of Lytle Creek was the exception to the rule. The town survives. People still do mine these areas, by means of a type of prospecting called “Dry Washing” as well as some panning. Basically, instead of water to disperse the gold from lighter soil material, a machine uses vibration to achieve the same outcome. It’s very popular and effective in areas without water.

In 1851, not long after gold was discovered in the deposits of Lytle Creek, claims sprang up like wildfire. Word has it that there were claims covering every square foot of the canyon, including up the steep slopes. One particular outfit, Harpending Mining Corp., began mining using new technology – hydraulic mining. Essentially they would use high pressure water to wash away the mountainside to have the media funnel into a sluice box. Eventually that sluice box would be 5 miles long. The operation would draw out about $2,000 a week worth of gold.

Hydraulic mining would be outlawed in California in 1884.

By the 1950’s the Harpending company had extracted $60,000 of ore from the canyon. Harpending sold its operation to a man by the name of Luis Abadie. Later there was a dispute between Abadie and Harpending regarding water rights. One day, Luis Abadie just showed up at his estate with his horse and wagon, shot dead.

Every Man’s Land

Or, no man’s land. Blood had been shed as early as 1878 by way of a family feud fueled by inheritance and greed. Over the years the canyon would become a dumping ground for bodies. Outdoor enthusiasts and hunters would from time to time happen upon the remains of some poor soul, left to scavenging animals. Gun owners would frequent the area of the upper reaches of the canyon beyond the little town of Lytle Creek (also referred to as Scottland) to let some steam off. It was a common sight, the wash to be littered with household appliances, furniture, vehicles and oil drums all with a generous amount of bullet holes. While this practice was being unregulated, with the guns also brought a bad element to the area. Unless you had a gun, you really entered the rural area at your own risk. Eventually the “shooting range” was banned from usage and the county went in and cleaned up the wash. Later they set up a real firing range that is today heavily regulated.

Steven Douglas Geisler

 

https://www.findthemissing.org/en/cases/20573/13/

http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/g/geisler_steven.html

Steven Geisler is missing.

Geisler was last seen on May 10, 2013 at 4:30 pm in the town of Phelan, Ca. which is located a couple miles southwest of Victorville. On May 18 Geisler’s white 2002 Ford F250 was located abandoned on Lytle Creek Road and Forest Service Road #3N06. A missing person’s report was filed on June 11, 2013.

Nothing more is known about the case. There are no news articles. The Stockton Police Department in northern California currently is handling the case and my only guess is because the report was filed there. A blogger made contact with the missing persons unit and they confirmed that Geisler is still missing. I haven’t found any reason to believe Geisler was a resident of Stockton, only that he seems to have some connections, like family, there.

Upon some cursory research, I found that Steven Geisler may have lived and grew up in Norco, Ca. Norco is neatly sandwiched in between Corona and Mira Loma. Mira Loma seems to have some bizarre re-occurrence and I’m not sure what to make of it.

Given what is historically known about Lytle Creek, what we know about Chase Merritt’s prospecting history and his brief interactions with fellow prospector “Jerry”, there are a few other things that are sure to set off alarms.

Remember, Chase Merritt was a welder. He lived in Homeland, Ca.

Chase Merritt, carefree at home.

It is believed that Geisler may have worked for or been associated with a company called Western Construction Auctions, or WCA, based on the shirt he wore for his driver’s license pic.

 

WCA’s main location of operation is located Perris, Ca. That name may sound familiar, it’s where Chase Merritt’s truck was impounded. WCA is also 8 miles from Homeland.

WCA is owned by the same people who own this operation.

They’re located in Fontana, Ca. which is next to Rancho Cucamonga and the closest city to Lytle Creek.

Field Trip

I decided to do a road trip to Lytle Creek. I had been there many times since my early years and it left a lasting impression on me. There are 3 forks, South, Middle and North. We always explored the Middle fork as it was the most scenic and least traveled. The South fork was always congested with families flanking the banks of the creek, lounging about in the water and usually a couple coolers filled with beer. I guess it’s because it’s the most accessible. We prefer to tread off the beaten path. Or, the less beaten path. I had only been on the North fork once and never had a need to go back as I don’t own guns, for lack of convenience rather than choice. I used to visit the area 3-4times a year but had not been in over 10 years. I had friends that I had wanted to take there and this was a good  opportunity to check out the rural area Geisler’s truck was abandoned.

Before we went I checked Google maps of the location. I went right to the LC rd and #3NO6 intersection. I was a bit taken back.

What was it? A white truck? A white utility truck? Or was it a Forest Service truck? Was it parked or driving? When was the shot taken? Was it Geisler’s?

Was it Merritt’s?

I needed to get there now more than ever. I had to see the area.

I filled in my fellow travelers about exactly what we were doing and why. I had to tell them the Geisler story, about a missing guy I knew so little about, just that he was missing. They knew about the blog and the demise of the McStays. They were excited to go on our little side excursion.

Btw, I know reports list the road the truck was towed from is listed as #3N05, however the only #3NO5 is located many miles away in the San Bernardino Mtns and nowhere near LC rd.I can only conclude that it was a typo.

At the firing range the pavement abruptly gives way to an unforgiving road. Studying some maps, the road that intersected with LC rd was labeled #3NO6A. I wondered why there was an “A”, was there a #3NO6B? Not that I could find. But once we got to our destination it became very clear. LC rd became #3NO6 and the offshoot was #3NO6A. Weird, but alright.

 

Forest Service Road #3NO6A to the left.

In the missing persons report, it states the truck was towed from LC rd and  #3N05 (#3N06). Considering  LC rd turns into #3N06, this maybe why. Geisler’s truck may have never been on #3N06A as I originally thought. Nonetheless, we were off on foot to explore.

An immediate look around and it was for the most part, unimpressive. A big, wide wash and a lot of solitude (with the exception of gunfire off in the distance).

We hiked up the road about 1/4 mile. I wasn’t really looking for anything, only making curious observations of openings in brush that may have looked like someone pushed through or bush-whacked. My friends though we’re a bit more detailed, finding what they thought was evidence, blood on a rock or a wheel weight from a rim. “Did he wear contacts?” the woman asked, holding up the empty container of disposable contacts.

We really found nothing, which I had expected. We went on to our second and main destination, the Middle fork. I suppose if I was a gun enthusiast or hunter this place and it’s offerings would be ideal. Maybe we will return here later in the year to further explore “3No6”. Maybe by the next time we’ll have better clarification as to exactly where Geisler’s truck was found. And if he had perhaps known Merritt.

For me, these questions remain:

Why is there a specific time stamp to when Geisler was last seen?

Was he alone when last sighted?

Was his association to WCA somehow connected to his disappearance?

If he lived in or around Norco, what was he doing in Phelan, 45 miles away?

What is the connection to Stockton and why are there no news articles?

Why did Merritt turn his phone on in Mira Loma, not Rancho Cucamonga?

Just when did Merritt end up in Homeland and why was his truck towed to a Perris tow yard?

Was Chase contracted out to fix equipment for WCA?

Why did it take almost a month before anyone realized he was missing?

Did Steven Geisler suffer the same demise as the McStay family? Is he somewhere 100 miles from here?