Big Bear, CA
I quiet mountain community full of back country adventure.
Titus Canyon
Titus Canyon has it all, rugged mountains, colorful rock formations, a small ghost town, mines, petroglyphs, wildlife, rare plants and spectacular canyon narrows as a grand finale! Titus Canyon is the most popular back-country road in Death Valley National Park and just plain fun to run. The canyon is easily accessible from Stovepipe wells and Furnace Creek.
Although the Grapevine Mountains were uplifted relatively recently, most of the rocks that make up the range are over half a billion years old. The gray rocks lining the walls of the western end of the Canyon are Cambrian limestone. These ancient Paleozoic rocks formed at a time when the Death Valley area was submerged beneath tropical seas. By the end of the Precambrian, the continental edge of North America had been planed off by erosion to a gently rounded surface of low relief. The rise and fall of the Cambrian seas periodically shifted the shoreline eastward, flooding the continent, then regressed westward, exposing the limestone layers to erosion. The sediments have since been upturned, up folded (forming anticlines), down folded (forming synclines) and folded back onto themselves (forming recumbent folds).
Although some of the limestone exposed in the walls of the canyon originated from thick mats of algae (stromatolites) that thrived in the warm, shallow Death Valley seas, most of the gray limestone shows little structure. Thousands of feet (hundreds of meters) of this limey goo were deposited in the Death Valley region. Similar limestone layers may be seen at Lake Mead National Recreation Area and at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
At one of the bends in the canyon, megabreccia can be seen.
Leadfield was an unincorporated community, and historic mining town found in Titus Canyon in Death Valley National Park.
Titus Canyon Trail Map
Old Mojave Road
The Old Mojave Road (Government Road) is an east-west route that enters the Mojave National Preserve off the highway 95 in Nevada, and Afton Canyon on the west side. Some sections are rough and sandy; 4 x 4 recommended. Roads can become slick, muddy and impassable after rains. Be sure to inquire about road conditions, especially if you plan to cross Soda Dry Lake.
The Mojave Road is party of the Old Spanish Trail, which is a 700 mile long historical trade route that connected the northern New Mexico settlements near Santa Fe, New Mexico with those of Los Angeles, California. The Old Spanish trail’s rugged terrain discouraged the use of wagons. It was always a pack route, mainly used by men and mules. Used by Indians to transport goods from the southwest to trade with the Chumash and other coastal tribes, this route later served the cause of westward expansion. Military forts were established along the route to protect key water sources and provide assistance for travelers.
The route at one time was for all intents and purposes lost until Dennis Casebier and Friends researched the route and reestablished the trail as if it know today and is a popular four-wheel drive road.
The eastern section of the Old Mojave Road leaves US 95 in Nevada near Laughlin moving westward. The eastern section climbs up to Fort Piute and continues past an old corral one a rocky climb. Once up on the plateau, the road continues to travel west to Nipton Road.
The central section starts at Nipton Road and continues west to Kelbaker road near Baker, CA. The road starts rather narrow with high brush offering the opportunity for some new desert pin-striping.
A short declination which offers the only real obstacle near Rock Spring. Burt Smiths cabin and the Government Holes water offer short hikes and distractions from the trail. Once you cross the Kelso Cima Road, about 5 miles of “whoop de doos” will rock you to sleep. The center section offers the most to see, and if you choose one section, this would be it in our opinion.
The western section leaves Kelbaker road and continues west into the dry soda lake south of Baker. The western section of the route can best be described as dry and sandy. A larger mine complex and Afton Canyon are the major sights.
In addition to over 100 miles of 4×4 trail, the Old Mojave road offers access to mines, old homesteads, and other 4×4 routes. The Old Mojave can be run either way and in a single long day, or in thirds with access being provided from Kelbaker road out of Baker or the Nipton Road in the the East. However, for the best experience, take your time and run the trail in Multiple days and overnight in one of many primitive or established Campgrounds.
Old Mojave Road Trail Map
Jail Canyon Road
Jail Canyon Road is a rugged, scenic 4WD trail in the western Panamint Mountains, branching east from Indian Ranch Road in Panamint Valley and leading into Death Valley National Park, offering vibrant canyon views, a perennial stream, and access to historic mining sites like the Corona Mine. This approximately 5.2-mile one-way route ascends from the valley floor at around 1,800 feet to about 3,200 feet at the mine, crossing rocky alluvial fans and narrow washes amid colorful rock formations, making it a popular day trip for off-road enthusiasts and history buffs. The trail lies mostly on BLM land for the first 1.5 miles before entering the national park, where dispersed camping is permitted but requires self-sufficiency due to no services, water, or cell coverage.
Current Conditions (as of Latest Available Data, August 2025)
As of mid-2025, Jail Canyon Road appears navigable for high-clearance 4WD vehicles, though recent flash floods from 2023-2024 storms (including Hurricane Hilary remnants) have caused washouts and rock obstacles in similar nearby routes; no specific closures are reported for Jail Canyon, but conditions can change rapidly with monsoon rains or erosion, potentially making sections impassable. Expect extreme summer heat (over 100°F/38°C), dry and dusty terrain, and potential winter snow at higher elevations; always verify real-time status via the NPS website, Death Valley Road Conditions Facebook group, or apps like Gaia GPS before attempting, as self-rescue may be necessary. In 2021, monsoons washed out parts, requiring hiking the final 2 miles, and a large boulder was noted alongside the trail in recent reports—carry ample water, tools, and a Campfire Permit for any fires on BLM land. Nearby roads like Emigrant Canyon are undergoing repairs with closures through early 2025, which may indirectly affect access via connecting routes.
Trail Description and Difficulty
Access begins from Indian Ranch Road, reached via paved Trona-Wildrose Road from the south (28 miles north of Trona) or Panamint Valley Road from the north (13.9 miles south from SR-190); after 4.0 miles on graded Indian Ranch Road, turn left onto the rocky Jail Canyon spur. The trail starts as a slow, rocky climb across an alluvial fan with panoramic views of the Panamint Mountains and eroded Hall Canyon, transitioning into a narrow wash with boulder negotiations and stream crossings—rated moderate overall but requiring short-wheelbase, high-clearance 4×4 vehicles with low-range gearing for the final sections. Travel time is 1-2 hours one-way; beyond the vehicle endpoint (often a sheer drop or washout), hiking continues along a streamside path to the mine, adding steep, unshaded ascents suitable for experienced hikers—bring maps like National Geographic’s Death Valley edition for navigation, and adhere to Leave No Trace to protect the riparian habitat.
Trail Map
Points of Interest
- Corona Mine and Mill Ruins: At the trail’s end, explore remnants including a steam boiler, wood trams, rails, and a well-preserved mill site along a willow-lined stream—hike short trails upstream for more artifacts and a stand of reeds.
- Miner’s Cabin: A maintained historic cabin with a guest book signed by global visitors, picnic table, and nearby dispersed camping spots offering canyon views (windy at night); adopted by off-road groups to preserve mining heritage.
- Outhouse (Privy): A wood-framed structure near hiking trails, once whimsically painted but now in disrepair—watch for wildlife like rattlesnakes and scorpions.
- Scenic Overlooks and Wildlife: Panoramic vistas of multi-layered mountains, potential sightings of bighorn sheep or burros, and dark skies for stargazing in this remote area.
History of the Corona Mine
The Corona Mine, nestled in Jail Canyon, exemplifies the boom-and-bust mining era of the Panamint Mountains, with operations spanning over a century and contributing to the region’s silver, gold, lead, copper, and zinc production that fueled local economies during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Gold was first discovered in 1899 by Jack Curran, who mined until 1901 when a flash flood destroyed his three-stamp mill, powered by a water wheel and local spring. Activity remained intermittent until 1930, when it was renamed the Gem Mine; by 1932, a 25-ton mill was built, featuring a jaw crusher, ball mill, flotation unit, and 50-horsepower diesel engine, boosting output until water infiltration forced closure in 1938. In the 1940s, A.F. Troster revived the site, selling it in 1949 to the Corona Mining Company, which re-timbered tunnels but abandoned operations by 1950 due to dwindling ore. Troster resided in the cabin into the 1950s, marking the end of active mining; the site’s ruins, including modern equipment left behind, highlight the technological adaptations and environmental challenges that defined Panamint mining, as detailed in resources like Michel Digonnet’s “Hiking Western Death Valley National Park.”
Lost Burro Mine
Founded in 1907 when Bert Shively picked up a rock to throw at some stray burros and discovered gold, the Lost burro Mine is a great destination in Death Valley. The mine was operated from 1907 to the 1970s, with its greatest production of gold being from 1912 – 1917. The road into the mine is just 1.1 mile from Hunter Mountain road located in Death Valley National Park. The trail is very easy to pass and suitable for most stock SUVs, although it does get narrow in two places.
As you approach the site, there is evidence of human occupation and the large amount of tin cans and artifacts gradually increase the closer you get to the mine site. There is a long history of haunting and curses place upon people who remove artifacts from the location. There are at least four structures still standing at the site. The main cabin, a storage cabin, outhouse and the mine located high above on a cliff. You can enter the cabin and storage cabin but posted warnings of Hantavirus warn of the potential danger.
The Upper Mill
The upper mill site is accessible using a steep short trail and well worth the effort. The structure appears to be reinforced with guy wires to help maintain its state. Much of the pulley system remains intact and the terrain and remote location reminds us of what these men endured to survive in this location.
There is evidence of many people returning removed items in the hopes of removing the curse. There are two buildings at the site with the Mill located just to the North. Two short hikes to the hills above offer amazing views of the Racetrack Valley and Hunter Mountain.
Lost Burro Mine Video
Lost Burro Mine Trail Map
Elizalde Cement Plant
While travelling north on Highway 95 from Las Vegas to Beaty, I spotted the Elizalde Cement plant from the road. We did not stop on that first passing as I was headed out to Race Track Valley, in Death Valley, CA. However, the memory of this missed destination occupied my mind for the duration of our camping trip.
A couple of quick trips across the “Interwebs” and I had misidentified the ruins I had seen as the remains of the Nevada ghost town of Carrara. Happily, I researched the “marble quarry” town of Carrara. A few months later we stopped at the location and open closer inspection, it didn’t feel “right”. Ghost Towns typically were built as tent cities and have few foundations. This site had a concrete walls, and was not laid out like a city.
Elizalde Cement Plant
Further research and I have found my error. The ruins I had found were of the Elizadle Cemet Plant. The Elizaldo Cement Plant was built in the early 1940’s by the Carrara Portland Cement Company. The nearby Carrara quarries were used to produce crushed marble, which was used in the white cements produced by the plant. Forty five men poured foundations for the plant between April 1941 and July of the same year.
The plant was named for Angel M. Elizalde, who was the President of Elizalde & Co. Ltd and a principal investor of the Cararra Portland Cement Co. Plans were already under-weigh to build a large advanced cement plant when Mr. Elizalde was elected President.
A large “fiesta” was scheduled for the opening on the plant in August, 1941. However, before a single pound of concrete is produced, a fire engulfed the site and the plant was badly burned. The fire claimed the machine shop, field office, blacksmith shop. This set back stopped construction at the site while the company searched for capital and replacement equipment.
Despite plans made for expanded production levels and reinvestment in the plant site, the start of World War 2 and increase in fuel costs doomed the plant. Today, a lot of concrete foundations lie in testimony to the unseen victims of World War 2. The plant is fenced off to curtail access, however, it has fallen prey to those with spray paint cans.
Now, I need to go back and find Carrara and its marble quarry! oh darn….