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| no partners | | Death Valley 2015
Stormy, cold, beautiful---most of my trips now focusing on some of the more off the beaten path destinations in this great area.
Snow started after we left last fuel call in Beatty, Nv, and was sticking some as we turned off at Scotty's Junction. Dropping in past the Castle and Grapevine junction low enough no snow but gray swirling clouds and snow squalls on the surrounding mountains, a common theme for the next 4 days. We aired down then went by Crankshaft junction, over the pass, and dropped into Eureka Valley. We scoped out the start for the next day's hike then found a nice solitary campsite off a spur road away from the Eureka dunes, which look tiny at the end of the massive playa. The storms clouds circled with squalls all around. That night rain for several hours, but in the morning almost dry. By the time we got to the end of the road to park, it was raining, with wind and low cloud ceiling. We sat in the car and waited. Soon sun spotlighted the dunes. Since we were in the gloom we decided to
go there and play and wait for the weather to clear if it would.
Wonderful on the dunes, the sand firm from the rain. Enough elevation to see down the valley, light and dark spots on the floor from cloud shadow, snow on the surrounding dark desert peaks. Walking found an area of obsidian chippings. Back at the car and back down the road to hike the closed old mine road to the Up/Down mine in the Last Chance mountain range. Pretty hike, stellar high views of the valley. Cool rock colors and formations. This mine was a mercury mine with unknown production.
Two retorts to process the mercury still stand, along with a cabin and other remains, a few tunnels. It started snowing on us up there so we donned our rain protection. I wore thermal tights under my hiking pants and kept them on when hiking for the next 3 days.
The snow shortlived and then sun out as we hiked down. I had a longer loop planned but we did not do that one. We drove out to the next destination, camping a short ways off the road to Big Pine, Ca. Nice campfire as it was freezing. Morning drove on toward the Waucoba-Saline Valley road over the North Pass to get into Saline valley, faster than going in via Steel Pass. The snow was beautiful, a light coating, and we were first tracks on the road. I was nervous, as I am not used to driving in snow, and could not remember much about any narrow cliffy sections on this road. Sometimes in winter they will close it. Stopped and took some pictures of the pristine snow coating the trees. North Pass no stopping as snow was at least 6 inches or deeper and the heavy vehicle was pushing to get through. We got down onto the other side and turned off to Lead Canyon, Inyo mountains, to hike several destinations and camp.
Older information has several mining claims active in this area. We saw no signs of any recent activity, nor any posted information regarding the claim status. First was Bunker Hill mill and mines, an old area of significant lead, zinc and silver production. We hiked up the snowy Bunker Hill canyon, past the more recent aluminum corrugated cabins, and other remains, older stone building foundations. The mine itself was high on the hill side. Locating a trail in the massive scree slopes was a problem. I was impatient and went up a ridgeline then traversed an unstable scree slope by crabwalking across in spots, toes in, butt out, hands on uphill slope. The fall line was kinda long. Brian found a partial trail then talked me over to where he was.
We got to several tunnels then the area of raised rail, bucket still on the cable and a tram way tower and hopper. Views were absolutely incredible into Saline Valley, again with storm clouds, some spitting ice particles. We located a better way down via old and new trail.
Next day up to the Nebula mill site and mine. The road is washed out at the beginning so walk you must. Beautiful walk up the canyon, snow at the cabins, we could not find any mill remains, again newer and older dwellings. The cabins in disrepair, found paperwork of the last and perhaps current claim owner, David Howell, but no sign anyone was caring for the place. A few tunnels, lots of quartz about.
We moved the car closer to the next destination, camping off a rough stretch of road. This mine destination again historic, late 1800's early 1900's founding, then over time other workings. The Blue Monster, or the Monster mine, was a lead and later copper mine. Supposedly the Galena vein found was 4 feet wide! Once that was mined out copper was then found. We finally had sun and more stable weather although still cool in the Inyo's. Up the canyon on the old closed road ( which had recent tracks), to the mill site in the canyon bottom, the long cables of the tram still hanging up and across the canyon. This time a nice set of burro trails delivered you up to the mine site, and it's massive tailings, with glittery rocks in the sun. Track, tramway workings, an open haulage tunnel etc. Small diggings everywhere. The wonderful views of Saline Valley and upcanyon to the snowy taller mountains. We poked around then hiked back. Drove down and across Saline Valley, looking at some old and now planned new destinations.
South Pass had some snow and slush in places but was clear; would definitely be more of a pucker factor in bad weather in Grapevine canyon. We camped in a Joshua Tree flat past the pass, cold and a little windy but a beautiful serene quiet area.
Next day couldn't decide what to do as I had an appointment with the tax man back home so had to get back. We drove through Death Valley and out Ibex, some flowers in patches along the way, happy tourists, warm, sunny and a short walk near the dunes, then hit the road again. Now have three backpacks planned for this area, one will be a no beta one in the Panamints, one is a stroll up a canyon of the Inyos with running water on up, and another will be a death march, fitting for this area.
Sometimes I wonder why I go the same spots over and over. The answer--- there is always more below the surface.
PSA- I had no cell service, Verizon, in either Eureka or Saline valley areas. Caveat, I didn't try very hard, made a note of it, turned the phone off and tossed it under the car seat for the trip. Also, the mines in the Inyos are mostly on forest or BLM, but on the main road you are in the park. |
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