Gold Mining History in Death Valley National Park

Did you know that Death Valley has more abandoned mines than any other national park? Thousands of abandoned mines are scattered across the park’s 5,200+ square miles. It’s not surprising when you consider that gold, silver, lead, zinc, antimony, flourspar, cinnabar, Epsom salts, mercury, tungsten, copper, borax, talc, sodium chloride, and manganese all have been mined here over the years. Most mines are closed to the public and in need of safety improvements, but the Eureka Mine has been stabilized, making it easy to follow in the path of the early gold prospectors. Take two flashlights when you enter the tunnels, one for use and one for backup.

Old-time gold prospectors got started the same way— they looked for veins of quartz or seams of red or yellow iron-stained rock. Miners followed these veins, drilling and blasting to break the ore loose, they then sent the ore to mills to extract the gold. A profitable mine would yield about an ounce of gold per ton of ore. Too bad the old-timers didn't have the modern-day gold prospecting equipment and technology we enjoy today!

Of all the prospectors and miners who toiled here, only one— Pete Aguereberry— persisted. Born in France in 1874, at an early age he read about the wonderful gold discoveries in California and couldn’t wait to become a prospector. He realized his dream at age 16 when he set sail for America and made his way to California. Beginning in 1907, Pete worked his claim for 40 years, mostly by himself. Historians estimate that he extracted about $175,000 worth of gold (then valued at $20 per ounce) during his lifetime (he died in 1945). Aguereberry camp still stands in a state of decay, so stop and take a look around when you explore the Eureka Mine. Pete’s original two-room house, including an antique gas stove and refrigerator, are still in their places. Outbuildings and two other “guest” cabins are next to it.

Not far from the Eureka Mine is Mr. Aguereberry’s Cashier Mill (shown in photo). Powered by gasoline engines, the mill pulverized the ore, then chemical processes using mercury and cyanide extracted the gold. To reach this area in Death Valley National Park, take Hwy. 190 past Stovepipe Wells and up Emigrant Campground. Turn left following the signs to Wildrose. In about 10 miles there will be a turn off for Aguereberry Point. Turn here and you’ll arrive at Aguereberry camp a mile down the road. Eureka Mine is within walking distance; Cashier Mill is a short drive. The park’s interpretive signs and maps point the way. The Eureka Mine is closed by a bat gate in the winter due to hibernating Townsend's long eared bats. The mine reopens again in spring.

Touring mines and ghost towns is a great way for families to have fun and connect to America's mining history! Travel safe!

Story by GoldRushTradingPost.com

Just South of Stovepipe you run into the Panamint Mountains and they have a long history of mining throughout the area and even have a working gold mine at Ballarat, run by an Australian company. Nice people the last time I was there. Not to mistake the Ghost Town of Ballarat which is the direction you start towards. Once you pass through the town you would make a right [south] and stay on the Wingate road to the mine. Stop in at the town, the last time I was there, there was still one old desert rat residing! Be aware that this was also the area Charles Manson's clan was located. I doubt anyone is left from them but watch your toes. Just North of Ballarat is Surprise Canyon and that takes you to Panamint City Ghost Town. There have been numerous, serious cloudbursts in this area since I was there and they are not to be taken lightly. They have buried towns and washed out roads all through the Panamints and Owens Valley. The towns of Trona and Argus in conjunction with I.M.C. Chemicals, will once a year dinamite the Searles Lake lakebed and some spectacular crystals are harvested! Usually at the end of summer or early fall. Also just to let you know, no mining is allowed in Death Valley N.P. They have moved their boundaries in the past years and you would need to check with them about even driving cars in certain areas. I was just outside Darwin once and was stopped by the Rangers for being off the pavement in a mining area! On a dirt road! If you can find the Hunter mine near Hunter Mtn in Death Valley, off Saline Valley Rd., it's possible you might find some yellow stuff. Old man Hunter blew the mine in, when they turned the area into a National Park and forced him out. There were several other mines in the area that were producing when they were forced out but, Hunters was the richest. There was even a cable line to haul ore out, stretching up into the White Mtns and Cerro Gordo. Lots of history but not all of it is available to the public. I was a local and had info passed to me by the old timers. Not many left though. Very good museum in Independence with a lot about mining history in the Owens Valley and beyond. 'nuff said, mebbe too much.

You need to be a member of Goldprospectorsspace to add comments!

Join Goldprospectorsspace

Comments

desertratdan March 30, 2011 at 4:19pm

Just South of Stovepipe you run into the Panamint Mountains and they have a long history of mining throughout the area and even have a working gold mine at Ballarat, run by an Australian company. Nice people the last time I was there. Not to mistake the Ghost Town of Ballarat which is the direction you start towards. Once you pass through the town you would make a right [south] and stay on the Wingate road to the mine. Stop in at the town, the last time I was there, there was still one old desert rat residing! Be aware that this was also the area Charles Manson's clan was located. I doubt anyone is left from them but watch your toes. Just North of Ballarat is Surprise Canyon and that takes you to Panamint City Ghost Town. There have been numerous, serious cloudbursts in this area since I was there and they are not to be taken lightly. They have buried towns and washed out roads all through the Panamints and Owens Valley. The towns of Trona and Argus in conjunction with I.M.C. Chemicals, will once a year dinamite the Searles Lake lakebed and some spectacular crystals are harvested! Usually at the end of summer or early fall. Also just to let you know, no mining is allowed in Death Valley N.P. They have moved their boundaries in the past years and you would need to check with them about even driving cars in certain areas. I was just outside Darwin once and was stopped by the Rangers for being off the pavement in a mining area! On a dirt road! If you can find the Hunter mine near Hunter Mtn in Death Valley, off Saline Valley Rd., it's possible you might find some yellow stuff. Old man Hunter blew the mine in, when they turned the area into a National Park and forced him out. There were several other mines in the area that were producing when they were forced out but, Hunters was the richest. There was even a cable line to haul ore out, stretching up into the White Mtns and Cerro Gordo. Lots of history but not all of it is available to the public. I was a local and had info passed to me by the old timers. Not many left though. Very good museum in Independence with a lot about mining history in the Owens Valley and beyond. 'nuff said, mebbe too much.
rvbeckner,Searcher Exploration March 30, 2011 at 12:01pm

fantastic information . . . I wonder if someone should test the area for Rare Earth Minerals. I know lapidary shops that cut agate or petrified wood just love that "Indian Paint Rock" and its beautiful patterns, often with high specular hematite streaks.
scottnugget March 27, 2011 at 11:07pm

Thanks for sharing.

This reply was deleted.