Best Mines/Petroglyphs/Ghost towns to take my son?

dsefcik

Hi, I will be out with my son next week and he wants to see some old mines,ghost towns and petroglyph's. We have a 4x4 truck and will be camping out for a week, what are some reliable places we can go visit? I know Keane is closed but what about other areas?

TIA,
Daren

David_Bricker · Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 11:05 am Post subject:

Well, if you're going to be in Panamint Valley, at least initially, I'd swing by Minietta Mine area. there are a lot of old workings to explore, plus the cabin is in pretty decent shape. Your big Dodge should have no issue getting there.

Ballarat, of course, has a few adobe buildings that won't be there much longer. Say hi to Rocky for me.

It is unlikely you'll get anyone to fess up about petros on a public sight like this, especially the ones that are not well known. There are a few in Titus Canyon, marked with an interpretive sign towards the bottom of the canyon.

If you end up spending any time at PSR, maybe we can find a chance to go for a run. We may be doing Cloride City on Sunday. We'll be busy Friday, but Wednesday part day, Saturday are potentials.

David Bricker / SYR

dsefcik · Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 1:46 pm Post subject:

I didn't know about Minietta and after some searching I am getting mixed answers to this place. Some info I found suggests the road is closed to public use and other info suggests people actually have fixed up some the structures, live there and work the mines.

Do you have any current info about it? Also, since it is not on any maps I have I am guessing the turnoff to it is about 7.5 miles south of the 190 on PV Road?

Do you know the trail condition? Some photos I found online look like they are pretty much just jeep trails, something my 15' truck would probably not like.

TIA..

fourwheelsgood · Jayhawker Joined: 04 Feb 2010 Posts: 8

I went there in December as far as the cabin. The road was clearly marked off of Panamint Valley Road. The cabin is hard to miss, as are the nearby ruins. Both are right on the side of the road, and you will be moving pretty slowly by that point anyways: it's rough and rocky but passable by any stock 4x4. At least up to that point - we didn't go further.

It looked like lots of good exploring, a place I would recommend as I plan to go back.

One possible reason for the sparse and/or conflicting info could be the fact that it is technically outside of the national park, on BLM land.

Have a good trip!

fourwheelsgood · Jayhawker Joined: 04 Feb 2010 Posts: 8

I should add that the cabin was in very good shape, with all the comforts of home and even a good outhouse. If you are fortunate enough to find it unoccupied, it is a very nice place to spend the night.

dsefcik · Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 9:51 am Post subject:

Thanks, I actually did go visit with my son and we explored the mines for a few hours, it was a lot of fun. I finally got around to writing a trip report and have some photos.

Trip report here:
http://www.sefcik.com/index.php/2010/01/04/death-valley-trip-report-for-thanksgiving-2009/

More photos here:
http://www.sefcik.com/index.php/photo-gallery/death-valley-trip-november-2009/

Daren

zman · Jayhawker Joined: 12 Oct 2009 Posts: 13

Very nice trip report & pictures Cool

Albin · Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 4:09 pm Post subject:

Excellent report and pics. Looks like you have the same tent that my son and I have.

Thanks,

Al
_________________
North Alabama Desert Rat

dsefcik · Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 6:39 pm Post subject: