Picture of the week

Inyo Mine of Death Valley

The remote Inyo mining site in Death Valley. Myself and two friends traveled here in a high clearance 4wd vehicle, camping overnight at this location.  If you are looking to get away from other people and the usual visited locations in Death Valley, plus something off the beaten path, then this is a good location. There are multiple intact buildings including this cabin and an employee bunkhouse further in the distance, plus a ball mill nearby for breaking down the ore. The Inyo mine was founded in 1905 after gold was found here by a couple of prospectors. The big challenge was getting water to the site, and ability haul ore out in an economical manner. Based on the size of the strike here, it caught the attention of Charles Schwab, one of the wealthiest men in the country at the time. According to Michel DiGonnet's book Hiking Death Valley, this mining town grew to over 200 people by 1907, including its own post office, telephone, and even a daily stage coach service. But before funding was complete to enable full mining operations, the Great Financial Panic in the fall of 1907 resulted in funds from investments running dry, and the mine went idle, finally being abandoned in 1912.  Around 1935 the mine reopened with some fairly successful yields until closing again for good at the start of World War II in 1941.

Due to the dry desert conditions, decay at sites like this tends to be extremely slow, with the largest contributor being vandalism from more reckless visitors. The rough road and lack of signage to get to this location tends limit the amount of traffic. Although temperatures during the day were in the 70's, later that evening snow flurry's moved in, and that night it dropped into the 20's, freezing the water bottle in my tent. One could imagine the harsh life the miners here had to endure while living here and trying to scratch out a living.

All content and images are property of Stephen Fischer Photography, copyright 2014.  Last updated: 3/2/2014   ()