Tag: Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park, located in eastern California and stretching into Nevada, is a land of extremes. It is the hottest, driest, and lowest national park in the United States, featuring the famously scorching Badwater Basin, which lies 282 feet below sea level. The park’s vast and varied landscape includes towering sand dunes, rugged mountains, and colorful badlands. Despite its harsh conditions, Death Valley is home to a surprising diversity of life, with unique plant and animal species adapted to the extreme environment. The park also boasts stunning geological features such as the salt flats, volcanic craters, and canyons, offering visitors a breathtaking glimpse into the power of nature. Starry night skies and striking sunrises and sunsets add to the park’s otherworldly beauty, making it a unique destination for adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts alike.

Lippincott Mine Road

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The Lippincott Mine Road is a one way trail from Death Valley’s Racetrack Playa to Saline Valley. It is a steep trail which is not for the novice or the feint of heart. Greeting you at the trail head is a sign which reads:

“Lippincott Pass, 4×4 High Clearance, No Tow Service, Caution”

Experienced drivers using 4×4 high clearance vehicles only.  What traveler in their right mind could resist a challenge like this? Provided you are equipped to do so.

Lippincott Mine Road from Racetrack Valley, Death Valley National Park, CA
Lippincott Mine Road from Racetrack Valley, Death Valley National Park, CA
Looking back at some amazing landscapes near the top of the Lippincott Mine.
Looking back at some amazing landscapes near the top of the Lippincott Mine.

The top of Lippincott Mine road starts at the end of the Racetrack Valley road and descends into the west towards Saline Valley.  The road is steep and narrow but is not too technical.  At the top of the route is the Lippencott Mine site which gives the trail it’s name.  The Lippincott Mine offers great views of both Saline and RaceTrack Valley.  

Looking down at Saline Valley in the distance.
Looking down at the road from the mine, with Saline Valley in the distance.

There are several structures, and mines to explore and a lot of time could be spent exploring the site on foot.  The Homestake dry camp offers a great spot of overnight in the area for those of us who are so inclined and look forward to being really away from it all. The best night sky I have seen in the last 35 year was at the Homestake Dry Camp.

The remains of the Lippincott Mine at the southern end of Race Track Valley.
The remains of the Lippincott Mine at the southern end of Race Track Valley.

Lippincott Mine Road Trail Map

Alexander Zachariah Borden

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Alexander Zachariah Borden, affectionately known as “Shorty,” was a quintessential Death Valley prospector whose life embodied the rugged spirit of the American West’s mining era. Standing small in stature but immense in endurance, Shorty became a legendary figure in Death Valley National Park through his relentless pursuit of gold, remarkable survival stories, and contributions to the region’s infrastructure. Though he never struck it rich, his discoveries, such as Shorty’s Well, and his hand-built roads left a lasting mark on the arid landscape. Shorty’s hospitality, storytelling prowess, and deep knowledge of Death Valley made him a beloved “last of the old timers” among locals and visitors alike.

Early Life and Military Service

Details about Shorty Borden’s early life are sparse, with no confirmed birth date available in historical records. Based on accounts from the 1930s, when he was reportedly 65 years old while building a road in Hanaupah Canyon, he is estimated to have been born around 1867, likely in the United States. Little is known about his family background or upbringing, but his later life suggests a hardy, adventurous disposition shaped by the frontier.

Before fully committing to prospecting, Shorty served in the U.S. Cavalry during World War I, including duty on the Mexican border. This military experience honed his resilience and survival skills, qualities that would prove invaluable in the unforgiving Death Valley environment. After his service, he transitioned into mining, drawn by tales of riches in the California deserts.

Arrival in Death Valley and Early Prospecting

Shorty first arrived in Death Valley in 1887, enticed by the promise of gold during the late 19th-century mining booms. At a time when the region was sparsely populated and notoriously harsh—with extreme temperatures, scarce water, and treacherous terrain—Shorty roamed the surrounding mountains, including the Panamint Range, in search of strikes. He found several minor gold deposits scattered across the area, but none yielded the fortune he sought. These early efforts gave him an intimate knowledge of Death Valley’s geography, from hidden canyons to remote springs.

In the early years, Shorty partnered with fellow prospector Bud Saylor, whom he met in San Francisco. Together, they explored areas near Anvil Spring and Butte Valley, always hunting for a “mother lode.” Their partnership highlighted Shorty’s collaborative nature, as he often teamed up with others to share the burdens of desert life.

One of Shorty’s notable explorations was in Hanaupah Canyon, where he discovered a secluded valley with a perennial brook, watercress, cottonwood trees, and grass suitable for mules. Nearby Indian caves added to the site’s mystique. He even considered developing it as a tourist attraction, showcasing his entrepreneurial side beyond pure mining.

Survival Stories and Desert Ordeals

Shorty’s life was punctuated by dramatic near-death experiences that underscored his toughness. In one harrowing incident in Hanaupah Canyon, a sudden flash flood destroyed his camp, sweeping away supplies and leaving him stranded. Barefoot and hatless, he trudged through mud and debris toward Furnace Creek, battling dehydration and heat exhaustion. Delirious from thirst, he hallucinated pools of water before being rescued by Monroe Wagnon, a local who found him collapsed near the road.

Undeterred but not fully recovered, Shorty soon attempted another grueling trek to Anvil Spring to check on Bud Saylor. Underestimating his weakened state, he collapsed near the Eagle Borax mill, surviving only because Wagnon discovered him again, hidden among mesquite bushes. Nursed back to health at Anvil Springs, these episodes earned Shorty a reputation as a “durable walker,” capable of traversing dozens of miles despite his peculiar shuffling gait.

Later Mining Ventures and Infrastructure Contributions

By the 1920s and 1930s, Shorty focused his efforts in the Panamint, Emigrant, and Goldbelt Spring regions. In the late 1920s or early 1930s, he discovered promising silver-lead outcroppings in the South Fork of Hanaupah Canyon. Encouraged by positive assays, he single-handedly constructed a nine-mile road from the Death Valley floor to his mine site at Hanaupah Spring, starting in September 1932 and completing it six months later—at the reported age of 65. Using only basic tools like a pick, crowbar, shovel, dynamite, and burro power, this feat demonstrated his extraordinary determination.

During the road-building process, Shorty dug a well at the junction of West Side Road and Hanaupah Canyon Road, which became known as “Shorty’s Well.” This water source, vital in the water-scarce desert, cemented his legacy and appeared on maps as a key landmark.

Shorty partnered with Bill Price on the Hanaupah mine, but the venture failed when ore shipping costs exceeded its value. Despite this, he continued prospecting. In 1942, he relocated original claims with a partner named Thompson, and in 1943, he located additional claims with Bev Hunter, Roy Hunter, and Hellen Kraft—properties later owned by Victor Materials Company.

Personal Characteristics and Later Years

Shorty was renowned for his hospitality and friendliness, often sharing stories of Death Valley’s history with anyone who visited. Described as a “toughened desert veteran,” he possessed a wealth of regional knowledge, from hidden water sources to ancient Native American sites. His small frame belied his endurance, and his slight twisting gait became part of his endearing persona.

In his later years, Shorty lived as one of the last surviving old-time prospectors. A 1958 newspaper article noted him as still alive, residing in a rest home in San Bernardino, California. He eventually passed away in that rest home, though the exact death date remains undocumented in available records. Historical accounts confirm his death occurred after 1958, following a life of quiet perseverance.

Legacy

Shorty Borden’s legacy endures in Death Valley National Park through tangible landmarks like Shorty’s Well, Shorty’s Road, and his mine workings in Hanaupah Canyon. These sites attract hikers, historians, and adventurers, serving as reminders of the prospectors who shaped the region. Though he never achieved wealth, Shorty’s stories of survival and exploration inspire tales of the desert’s harsh beauty. As a symbol of the era’s gritty individualism, he is remembered in park histories, books, and oral traditions as a hospitable guardian of Death Valley’s secrets.

Titus Canyon

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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.

Titus Canyon, a narrow canyon drive in Death Valley National Park, CA
Titus Canyon, a narrow canyon drive in Death Valley National Park, CA

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).

Leadfield Gost Town, Death Valley, California
Leadfield Gost Town, Death Valley, California

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

Jail Canyon Road

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The hottest place on earth, Death Valley National Park is on the order with California and Nevada
The hottest place on earth, Death Valley National Park is on the order with California and Nevada

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.”

Skidoo California – Inyo County Ghost Town

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Skidoo, California, once a bustling gold mining town in the early 20th century, now stands as a ghost town within Death Valley National Park. Located in Inyo County at an elevation of 5,689 feet, Skidoo epitomized the boom-and-bust cycle of mining communities in the American West. Its history, marked by rapid growth, innovative engineering, and eventual decline, offers a glimpse into the challenges and ambitions of desert mining during the gold rush era. This report explores Skidoo’s origins, development, key events, and legacy, drawing on historical records and contemporary accounts.

Skidoo, CA 1907
Skidoo California, 1907

Origins and Establishment

Skidoo’s story began in January 1906, when prospectors John Ramsey and John “One-Eye” Thompson, en route to the gold strike at Harrisburg, were halted by a rare fog near Emigrant Spring. When the fog lifted, they discovered promising gold-bearing ledges, leading them to file claims for what became the Gold Eagle Group. News of their find spread, and Bob Montgomery, a prominent mining figure from Rhyolite, purchased these claims for $100,000, fueling the rapid development of the area. Initially named Hoveck after Matt Hoveck, the Skidoo Mine’s manager, the town was renamed Skidoo in 1907, inspired by the popular slang phrase “23 skidoo,” meaning to leave quickly or take advantage of an opportunity. Local lore suggests the name also referenced the 23 miles of pipeline bringing water to the town, though this remains speculative.

Right here on the border line between California and Nevada, just a few miles from arid within speaking distance of Nevada’s big, bonanza gold camps of Goldfield, Rhyolite, Tonopah, California promises to give birth to the most wonderful gold mines America has yet produced . . . . Here the golden goddess is again singing her siren song of enchantment and California is again beckoning to the world with a finger of gold: and the world is listening, and looking, and coming–TO SKIDOO!

Rhyolite Herald, 4 January 1907

Boom Years (1906–1917)

Skidoo quickly grew into a thriving community, peaking at around 700 residents by mid-1907. The town boasted advanced amenities for its time, including a post office (established as Hoveck in 1906 and renamed Skidoo in 1907), a telephone exchange, the Skidoo News newspaper, a school with 29 students, four saloons, three restaurants, and the Southern California Bank of Skidoo. Stagecoach connections to Rhyolite and Ballarat, along with private automobiles, linked Skidoo to nearby settlements, while a telephone line to Rhyolite facilitated communication.

The Skidoo Mine, operated by the Skidoo Mines Company, was the town’s economic backbone, producing approximately 75,000 ounces of gold—valued at over $1.5 million at the time—between 1906 and 1917. The mine’s success was bolstered by two remarkable engineering feats. First, Skidoo hosted the only milling plant in the Death Valley region powered almost entirely by water, using a gravity-feed system to separate gold from ore. Second, a 23-mile pipeline, constructed by Bob Montgomery, transported water from springs near Telescope Peak to the mill, an extraordinary achievement given the desert’s harsh terrain. The pipeline’s scar remains visible today, and watering stations along its route supported prospectors exploring the region.

By 1907, over 100 men were employed at the Skidoo mines, and development costs exceeded $300,000. The town’s prosperity attracted attention, with the Rhyolite Herald proclaiming in January 1907, “California promises to give birth to the most wonderful gold mines America has yet produced… TO SKIDOO!” However, the national financial panic of 1907 strained the town, particularly impacting the Southern California Bank of Skidoo, which faced creditors and operated out of cramped quarters in a grocery store.

Cook's horse-drawn wagon at Death Valley's gold mining camp, Skiddo.
Cook’s horse-drawn wagon at Death Valley’s gold mining camp, Skiddo.

Notable Events

Skidoo was relatively peaceful compared to other mining camps, but it was not without incident. In April 1908, Joe Simpson, a gambler with a notorious reputation, attempted to kill the Southern California Bank’s cashier, Dobbs, and murdered James Arnold, a popular local butcher. With no jail in Skidoo, Simpson was held in a cast-iron building under guard. An armed mob demanded his release and lynched him from a telephone pole, an event that underscored the town’s rough justice.

Another challenge came in 1913, when the pipeline froze and burst, followed by a fire that destroyed much of the original stamp mill. The Skidoo Mines Company swiftly rebuilt a ten-stamp mill, adding five more stamps by 1915, but these setbacks foreshadowed the town’s decline.

The Skidoo Mine is located 65 miles north of Trona, California, at 6500 ft. elevation. The property was established in 1906; the mill erected in 190?. The mill burned and was reconstructed in 1913. Owner: Skidoo Mines Co., Skidoo, CA. C. W. Cross, president, and Crynski , superintendent .

Two systems of quartz veins occur in a pegmatite granite. The main vein system strikes M-SE and the other E~W. The veins average from 18″ to 2 ‘ in width, with a maximum of 4’.

The ore is free milling and values average about $15.00 per ton. Ore is hauled to the mill through tunnels. The mill equipment consists of: ten 850-lb. stamps, five 1150-lb. stamps and amalgamation tables. Table tailings run to the cyanide plant and precipitated in zinc boxes. The mill is operated by water conveyed in an 8″ pipeline 21 miles
from Telescope Peak. The pipe was installed at a cost of over $200,000, 35 men were employed at the mine mill. Total production to date over $1,500,000,

California State Mining Bureau’s “Report of State Mineralogist,” 1915-16, Report XV:
Rare Air Photograph of Skidoo California Taken from the air in 1923
Rare Air Photograph of Skidoo California Taken from the air in 1923

Decline and Abandonment

Skidoo’s fortunes waned as its gold veins diminished. By early 1909, the town’s population began to decline, and the school district closed in September 1909. In July 1909, the Los Angeles Mining Review reported that the Skidoo Mine was California’s second-most productive, clearing all debts and paying a $50,000 dividend. However, the town itself was depleting, and by 1917, the rich vein had “pinched out,” leading to the mine’s permanent closure. The post office shut down the same year, and the mill and pipeline’s iron and steel components were dismantled and sold.

Sporadic mining resumed in the 1920s and 1930s under new ownership, and a tungsten boom in the early 1950s brought renewed activity, though the ore was low-grade. These efforts left behind shafts, cuts, and tailings, but the townsite itself was abandoned, with the last buildings gone by the 1980s. Today, Skidoo is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the Skidoo Stamp Mill—stabilized by cables and maintained by the National Park Service—standing as the most prominent remnant.

Legacy and Modern Significance

Skidoo’s brief existence encapsulates the transient nature of mining boomtowns, driven by the allure of gold and undone by the exhaustion of resources. Its innovative water-powered mill and pipeline highlight the ingenuity required to sustain life and industry in the unforgiving Mojave Desert. The ghost town, accessible via an 8-mile unpaved road off Wildrose Road, attracts visitors who explore its mining relics, including the stamp mill, adits, and scattered debris like rusty cans and glass fragments. The surrounding hills, with over 1,000 mine entrances, evoke the frenetic activity of Skidoo’s heyday.

Tripadvisor reviews reflect mixed visitor experiences. Some find the site underwhelming, noting the absence of town structures and the challenge of the rugged road, recommending high-clearance vehicles. Others praise the stamp mill and the sense of history, emphasizing the need to continue past the townsite to reach the mill. The site’s remoteness and stark landscape amplify its haunting appeal, inviting reflection on the ambition and impermanence of Skidoo’s past.

Conclusion

Skidoo, California, rose and fell within a decade, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and adaptation in one of America’s harshest environments. From its accidental discovery in 1906 to its abandonment by 1917, Skidoo embodied the hope and hardship of the gold rush era. Its engineering achievements, preserved ruins, and place on the National Register of Historic Places ensure its story endures, offering a window into the fleeting dreams of a desert boomtown.

Town Summary

NameSkidoo
LocationInyo County, California
Latitude, Longitude36.4355016, -117.1475604
GNIS1656631
Elevation5689 ft / 1734 m
NewspaperSkidoo News
National Register of Places74000349

Skidoo Trail Map

Resouces