Geology lessons in Death Valley

Sunset, Feb, 1995 by Matthew Jaffe

Mosaic Canyon. Just west of Stovepipe Wells, a graded road leads to a beautiful canyon of polished marble walls and breccia. You can reach areas of mosaiclike rock within 1/2 mile of the parking area, or extend the hike up the canyon.

Red Wall Canyon. The early stretches of this 6-mile round-trip walk provide more of an introduction to the rocky complexity of alluvial fans than you might like. Inviting from a distance, the fan makes for tough walking before you reach the canyon, with its patches of red volcanic rock mixed in with darker granites. The canyon ends about a mile in at a dry waterfall, although it is possible to push on, especially since someone put in a climbing rope. Park 3.7 miles north of the Titus Canyon turnoff. Look to the mountains on the east for a meeting of the red and dark rock. Aim toward that spot. The easiest walking is on the dark, packed gravel, not in the lighter-colored drainages.

MINING HISTORY

The highest concentration of gold-mining sites is off Emigrant Canyon Road. Skidoo is accessible via a 7-mile dirt road (narrow in spots). Most of the town is gone, but the hills are pockmarked with tunnels and the stamp mill still stands (past the road's locked gate). The view from the 5,700-foot elevation is memorable.

About 2.3 miles past the Skidoo turnoff on Emigrant Canyon is the road for Harrisburg, a gold-mining site developed by two of Death Valley's most famous mining figures, Shorty Harris and Pete Aguereberry.

A site easy to reach from the valley is the Keane Wonder Mine. Gold was first discovered around here in 1903. You can follow the impressive tramway up to the mine site, although it's quite steep. From State 190, take the Beatty Cutoff north, then turn right at a dirt road and follow it 3 miles.

For a look at the history of borax operations, visit the remains of the 1882 Harmony Borax Works near Furnace Creek. At Furnace Creek Ranch, the Borax Museum has old equipment, including some of the 20-mule-team wagons.