|
Mastodon Mine, a gold mine, was in operation intermittently between 1930 and 1971. There are 288 abandoned mines in Joshua Tree National Park, most are gold mines, and most were unsuccessful. People have laid mining claims in this area as late as 1998.
The ore from the original mine shaft at the base of Mastodon Peak produced samples that assayed at $744 per ton. However, between 1919 and 1932 George Hulsey never seriously worked at removing the gold. The mine was abandoned altogether after faulting severed the primary vein.
LR Main office building
UL now grated upper shaft
LL and UR one-chute ore bin and the remains of a crushing operation are on the opposite side of the trail as the grated shaft. Interesting, I was looking at http://cali49.com/jtnp/2014/12/3/mastod ... ional-park and these pictures shows the area as a bit of a shambles in 2014 so they have since fixed it up including the rock wall.
The ore from the original mine shaft at the base of Mastodon Peak produced samples that assayed at $744 per ton. However, between 1919 and 1932 George Hulsey never seriously worked at removing the gold. The mine was abandoned altogether after faulting severed the primary vein.
LR Main office building
UL now grated upper shaft
LL and UR one-chute ore bin and the remains of a crushing operation are on the opposite side of the trail as the grated shaft. Interesting, I was looking at http://cali49.com/jtnp/2014/12/3/mastod ... ional-park and these pictures shows the area as a bit of a shambles in 2014 so they have since fixed it up including the rock wall.
Apr 13 2023