Eureka Gold Mine, Death Valley NP

The southwest is full of mining history, and therefore many abandoned mines as well.  Death Valley National Park is no exception.    There are many old mines available for exploration.  On our drive back from the charcoal kilns we stopped off to explore the old Eureka gold mine.  Pete Aguereberry mined this ridge for about 40 years, extracting about $175,000 worth of gold.  At that time, gold was valued at about $20 per ounce. As we approached the main mine, we could see air shafts dotting the hills, and once we got to the mine, we could see why.  This was a large mine.

We followed the tracks leading out of the first shaft opening, and they lead us to another.

For the protection of a very rare bat that calls these old shafts home, the entrances are closed off periodically, giving us just a glimpse of what is inside.  When they are open, you can enter the mine and explore the underground world.

Just over this hill, you can see the homestead associated with the mine.

On the other side of the hill from the homestead are the remains of the Cashier Mill, where the gold was extracted from the rock.

Views from the top of the ridge.

As we made our way back to lower ground to find a campsite, we drove past the Mesquite Sand Dunes (also in the National park).  Such beautiful depth as it got close to sundown.  It was in our plan to visit this tomorrow, along with Mosaic Canyon, but as it turned out, we just didn’t have time.  I guess both of these will have to wait for a later visit.

When we chose our campsite tonight, we paid more attention to the elevation and found a warmer spot.  We parked closer to the Furnace Creek Visitors Center, although as you can see, we still had it all to ourselves.

And of course, we still had beautiful views.

The next morning we woke to temperatures in the mid forties instead of the mid twenties.  That made me very happy!