Category: Destination4x4

Lippincott Mine

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The Lippincott Mine (also known as the Lead King Mine) is a historic lead-silver mine located in the remote southwestern corner of Racetrack Valley within Death Valley National Park, California. Situated in the Ubehebe Mining District on the ridge separating Racetrack Valley from Saline Valley, the site represents one of the area’s more productive small-scale mining operations in the early-to-mid 20th century. Today, it features scattered ruins, adits (horizontal mine entrances), tailings piles, and remnants of mining infrastructure, though much has deteriorated over time. Visitors often access it via rough off-road routes, including the infamous Lippincott Mine Road.

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

Discovery and Early Development (1906–1910s)

The Lippincott Mine was discovered in 1906, with significant development work beginning around 1908. Located in a harsh, water-scarce desert environment, the mine targeted rich lead-silver deposits (primarily galena ore). Early ore samples showed impressive grades, often yielding around 42% lead and 8 ounces of silver per ton, making extraction economically viable despite the remote location.

The mine saw its most productive period during World War I, when demand for lead (used in ammunition and other wartime materials) surged. Miners reportedly used the flat, dry surface of the nearby Racetrack Playa as an improvised landing strip for small aircraft, aiding in supply transport and oversight.

World War II Era and Post-War Operations (1940s–1950s)

Operations ramped up again during World War II, with development of the Lead King Mine (under the Lippincott family) beginning in May 1942. A small crew of about eight miners extracted high-grade silver-lead ore, which was trucked out to Goldfield, Nevada, then railed to smelters in Utah. Only the richest ore was shipped due to challenging logistics — the silver was particularly valuable for wartime storage batteries.

Despite high ore quality (some reports cite up to 63% lead and 35 ounces of silver), federal restrictions shut down operations during the later war years as part of resource conservation efforts. The Lippincott family resumed work from 1946 to 1951, constructing additional infrastructure like a mine camp with wood and tarpaper cabins, an ore tipple, and possibly a tramway system.

Water scarcity remained a major challenge — supplies had to be trucked in over long distances — and this likely contributed to the eventual closure. Limited activity may have continued sporadically into the 1970s under later owners like George Lippincott Jr.’s Polaris Battery Company, which considered further exploration in 1974.

Looking down at the Lippencott Mine Road from the Lippencott Mine, with Saline Valley in the distance.
Looking down at the Lippencott Mine Road from the Lippencott Mine, with Saline Valley in the distance.

Legacy and Modern Significance

The Lippincott Mine is now part of Death Valley National Park, where all mining claims are inactive, and the site is protected as a historic resource. Ruins include adits (some gated for bat protection), scattered timbers, old vehicle parts, and tailings piles — visitors should avoid disturbing soil or inhaling dust due to potential residual lead contamination.

The mine’s access road — the steep, narrow, and extremely challenging Lippincott Mine Road (also called Lippincott Pass) — was originally built in 1906 to reach the site. This 7-mile route from Saline Valley to Racetrack Valley features sheer drop-offs, tight switchbacks, and rough terrain, making it one of Death Valley’s most notorious 4WD trails (high-clearance 4WD with experienced drivers only; uphill traffic has right-of-way).

The Lippincott Mine stands as a testament to the tenacity of early 20th-century prospectors in one of the harshest environments on Earth, contributing to the broader mining history of Death Valley that includes gold, silver, borax, and other metals. While not as famous as sites like Rhyolite or the Keane Wonder Mine, it remains a fascinating, off-the-beaten-path destination for adventurous visitors exploring Racetrack Valley’s moving rocks and remote wilderness. Always check current road conditions with the National Park Service before attempting access!

Owens Lake Steamships

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Today it is difficult to imagine, but at one time not so long ago, Owens Lake Steamships ferried supplies and silver ore across Owens Lake from the booming silver town of Cerro Gordo, California. Cerro Gordo was a booming silver town located at high elevations in the White Mountains above the tree line. Water and fuel are hauled up the mountain utilizing freight wagons to support the silver mines.

Cerro Gordo overlooking the then full Owens Lake.
Cerro Gordo overlooking the then full Owens Lake.

Owens Lake, nestled in the Owens Valley of California, was once a shimmering gem nestled beneath the towering Sierra Nevada mountains. Spanning over 100 square miles, it was a vital oasis for diverse wildlife and a haven for migratory birds. Its glassy surface reflected the surrounding peaks, creating a picturesque landscape beloved by locals and travelers alike. With its abundant water and fertile shores, it supported Native American communities for centuries. However, as Los Angeles began to grow in the late 19th century, demands for water led to the diversion of the Owens River, gradually desiccating Owens Lake and leaving behind a vast salt flat.

Mortimer Belshaw (1830 - 1899 )
Mortimer Belshaw (1830 – 1899 )

Cerro Gordo was a silver mining town located high in the White Mountains east of Owens Lake. The elevation of the town offered some unique challenges in terms of supplies, such as water and fuel. Infrastructure to support the mines and the community needed to be built by Mortimer Belshaw. These supplies are staged in Keeler, CA and hauled up to the town using teams of wagons and a tramway. It is a natural step to build a ferry system to facilitate the transfer of goods, services and more importantly silver bars produce at Cerro Gordo.

Owens Lake itself faced a significant transformation in the 20th century. The Los Angeles Aqueduct, completed in 1913, diverted water from the Owens River, which fed the lake, to Los Angeles. This diversion caused Owens Lake to dry up, transforming it into a largely dry lakebed with environmental and health issues due to dust storms.

Bessie Brady

1950 Painting by William McKeever of the Bessie Brady is on display at the Eastern California Museum in Independence, CA. This image probably does not resemble the actual appearance of the vessel.
1950 Painting by William McKeever of the Bessie Brady is on display at the Eastern California Museum in Independence, CA. This image probably does not resemble the actual appearance of the vessel.

The Bessie Brady made its maiden voyage on July 4, 1872. Measuring about 85 feet in length with a 19-foot beam, the vessel could carry up to 100 tons of cargo, significantly reducing the time and cost of transporting ore. The ship’s route ran from the town of Swansea, near the western shore of Owens Lake, to Cartago on the southern shore. From Cartago, the ore was transported to Los Angeles. The steamer was actually so efficient in hauling silver ore to Cartago Landing, near Olancha, Ca, that the bullion began to pile up. The teamsters who hauled the Silver Ore from Olancha to Los Angeles, simply could not keep up with the vessel.

The introduction of the Bessie Brady revolutionized transportation in the Owens Valley. It provided a more reliable and faster means of moving ore from the Cerro Gordo Mines to markets, boosting the local economy. The steamship also transported supplies and passengers, further integrating the remote mining community with the rest of California.

The success of the Bessie Brady was relatively short-lived. By the mid-1870s, the completion of the Carson and Colorado Railroad reduced the need for lake transport. The railroad provided an even more efficient means of moving goods and people, leading to a decline in the use of the steamship.

Despite its decline, the Bessie Brady continued to operate for several years, serving various purposes, including transporting salt from the lake’s evaporative salt works.

NameBessie Brady
Other Names“The Pioneer inland steamer of the Pacific Coast”
Years of OperationJune 27, 1872 – May 11, 1882
Length85 feet
Beam16 feet
Propulsion20 HP Single Cylinder Oscillating Type Steam
10 inch cylinder bore and 10 inch stroke
Propeller54 inches

Molly Stevens

The Molly Stevens was a steamboat built in the late in 1877 and launched on in May of that year by Colonel Sherman Vanderventer Stevens. It was named after Molly Stevens, in honor of his daughter Molly.. The vessel was is smaller than the Bessie Perl, but does boast of more powerful powerplant. A few days after its’ maiden voyage, the steamship is swamped in the heavy wind driven lake waters. She is raised again to the surface with the help of the Bessie Brady.

By 1878, the Molly Stevens is only making the occasional trip across the Lake and spends the majority of her time moored. In 1881, the vessels is hauling from $6,000 in bullion a week, which is produced by nearby mills. Due to lack of hauling efficiency, the Molly Stevens is again moored and eventually scrapped in the spring of 1882.

On May 11th, 1882, during a refitted of the more powerful steam plant from the Molly Stevens to the Bessie Brady a fire breaks. The fire is started spontaneously by a combination of the Oakum, oil, paint and tar. The inferno quickly takes hold and destroys the last of the steamships on Owens Lake.

The Molly Stevens and Bessie Brady played a crucial role in the economic development of the Owens Valley. By transporting ore efficiently across Owens Lake, these vessels helped boost the mining industry, which was the backbone of the local economy. The presence of the two steamships reduced the time and cost associated with overland transport, making mining operations more profitable.

Molly Stevens Characteristics

NameMolly Stevens
Years of operation1877 – 1882

The Lost Treasure of the Bessie Brady

One other incident, which is not documented, is the alleged existence of a lost treasure in Owens Lake. Allegedly, a wagon load of bullion hauled by the Bessie Brady is swept overboard during a high wind storm. The tale is told that the heavy bullion-filled wagon was not correctly chained to the deck and simply swept over the side.

The story could be from a combination of events, such as the swamping and sinking of the Molly Stevens.

Seemingly a rumor, the Lost Treasure of the Bessie Brady seems to always originate from a person who allegedly heard from someone who knew the captain.

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Lake Manly

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Lake Manly is a rare and ephemeral lake that occasionally forms in Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America at 282 feet (86 meters) below sea level, located in Death Valley National Park, California. This temporary body of water revives an ancient Pleistocene lake that existed during the Ice Age, when it reached depths of up to 700 feet and stretched nearly 100 miles long.

Looking into a perfect mirror image on Lake Many in January 2026. Photo by James L Rathbun
Looking into a perfect mirror image on Lake Many in January 2026. Photo by James L Rathbun

In recent years, including dramatic appearances after Hurricane Hilary in 2023, atmospheric rivers in 2024, and record-breaking fall rains in late 2025 (with more precipitation than an entire typical year), the basin has flooded to create a shallow lake — sometimes just inches deep, other times up to a few feet — allowing rare reflections and even temporary kayaking opportunities.

Badwater Basin itself is a surreal, otherworldly landscape dominated by expansive salt flats covering nearly 200 square miles. The surface is primarily sodium chloride (table salt), along with minerals like calcite, gypsum, and borax. The name “Badwater” comes from a small spring-fed pool near the road that’s extremely salty and undrinkable.

History of the lake

Lake Manly, gets its name from William Lewis Manly, a pioneer and hero of the 1849 California Gold Rush era.

In late 1849, a group of emigrants (known as the “Lost ’49ers”) took a risky shortcut to reach the gold fields and became stranded in the brutal heat and dryness of what would later be called Death Valley. William Lewis Manly, along with John Rogers, volunteered to walk out of the valley on foot to seek help. They trekked hundreds of miles across harsh desert terrain, eventually reaching safety, obtaining supplies, and returning to rescue the remaining group (including families like the Bennetts and Arcans) — saving their lives.

In honor of his bravery and lifesaving efforts, geologists named the prehistoric pluvial lake that once filled much of Death Valley after him. The name “Lake Manly” was formally coined in 1932 (sometimes misspelled as “Manley” in older sources, but Manly is correct). There’s even a proposed alternate name “Lake Rogers” for a potential northern section, after his companion, but “Manly” became the standard term used in scientific literature and by the National Park Service.

The lake itself is a remnant of wetter Ice Age periods (especially around 185,000–128,000 and 35,000–10,000 years ago), when glacial meltwater fed massive inland waters. Today, it only reappears briefly after extreme rainfall events — like the record storms in recent years that turned Badwater Basin into a shallow, reflective lake again.

It’s a fitting tribute: the name connects one of the valley’s most famous human survival stories to its deep geological past of water in a place infamous for being bone-dry!

Telescope Peak's reflection in the calm wates of Lake Manly, Death Valley National Park. Photo by James L Rathbun
Telescope Peak’s reflection in the calm wates of Lake Manly, Death Valley National Park. Photo by James L Rathbun

Conditions That Cause Lake Manly’s Formation

Death Valley is one of the driest and hottest places on Earth, averaging only about 2 inches of rain per year with evaporation rates exceeding 150 inches annually. This extreme aridity normally keeps Badwater Basin as a dry salt pan.

The lake forms only during rare, extreme rainfall events — such as remnants of tropical storms (e.g., Hurricane Hilary in 2023), powerful atmospheric rivers, or record-setting seasonal storms — that deliver several inches of rain in a short time. Runoff from surrounding mountains floods the endorheic (closed) basin, which has no outlet, creating a temporary lake. The water eventually evaporates rapidly under the intense heat and low humidity, returning the area to its characteristic salt flats — often within months.

This fleeting phenomenon highlights how even the harshest deserts can dramatically change with unusual weather patterns!

The hills next to Badwater turn green with the rains which cause Lake Manly. The sea sevel sign is visible high in the rocks on the the right. Photo by James L Rathbun
The hills next to Badwater turn green with the rains which cause Lake Manly. The sea sevel sign is visible high in the rocks on the the right. Photo by James L Rathbun

Winter 2026

Lake Manly is formed following several days of rain, so we opted to drive out to the park for a visit. Our first visit is cut short from a rain storm and flash floods which caused the road to be covered with flood levels. We made the drive from Vegas the next weekend, and were floored by the views of Lake Manly covering the salt flats of Badwater Basin. The walk out to the lake shore is about 1/4 of a mile from the Badwater parking lot.

On our visit, the lake surface is deathly still and the other visitors were silent giving us the feeling of isolation despite their being other travelers. This is my first visit to Lake Manly, and will certainly not be my last, if I am able to arrange the trip.

Billie Mine

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The Billie Mine (also known as Billie I and Billie II) is a former underground borate mine located in the Furnace Creek Mining District of Death Valley National Park, Inyo County, California. Situated on the eastern slopes of the Black Mountains overlooking Death Valley, the mine’s surface structures—including the prominent steel headframe, shaft collar, support buildings, and waste rock dumps—are positioned just outside the park boundary along the paved Dante’s View Road, approximately 1.5 miles northwest of the historic ghost town of Ryan and 12 miles southeast of Furnace Creek. However, the rich borate ore body itself extends underground into park lands, with the mine portal offset about 1,500 feet west on Bureau of Land Management property to comply with environmental regulations under the Mining in the Parks Act of 1976.

The site sits in a stark, arid landscape typical of Death Valley: barren alluvial fans sloping down from rugged, basalt-capped ridges, dotted with creosote bush and sparse desert vegetation. The ore body, embedded in the Miocene-Pliocene Furnace Creek Formation, consists primarily of calcium borates such as colemanite, along with probertite and ulexite. Geologically, the deposit is lens-shaped, striking northeast with a southeast dip of 20–40 degrees, averaging 700 feet wide, 3,700 feet long down-dip, and 150 feet thick. Mining involved deep vertical shafts (reaching depths of around 1,200 feet) and long-hole stoping methods with backfilling to maintain stability, leaving tall, narrow pillars critical to the underground structure.

Today, the abandoned mine features a towering headframe silhouetted against the vast valley panorama, evoking the industrial intrusion into this remote wilderness. Visitors driving to Dante’s View often pause for photos, but the site is gated and off-limits—mines in the park are hazardous due to unstable shafts, toxic tailings, and potential collapses.

The Billie Mine’s history is intertwined with Death Valley’s long borax legacy, but it represents a modern chapter amid growing conservation efforts. Borate deposits in the Furnace Creek area were known since the late 19th century, exploited by the Pacific Coast Borax Company at nearby sites like the Lila C. and Widow mines near Ryan. However, after discovering richer sodium borates (kernite) at Boron in 1926–1927, operations in Death Valley largely ceased as companies shifted to more profitable locations.

Interest in the Billie deposit revived in the mid-20th century. In 1958, the Kern County Land Company staked claims and conducted drilling. Development accelerated in the 1970s: after the Mining in the Parks Act of 1976 restricted new claims and imposed strict environmental reviews, valid pre-existing operations like Billie were allowed to proceed with mitigation. Construction began in 1977 under a partnership that became the American Borate Company (initially involving Owens Corning Fiberglass and Texas United, later fully Owens Corning).

The mine reached ore in 1980 and became fully operational shortly after, extracting high-quality colemanite crystals (some large and collectible) alongside probertite and ulexite. Ore was trucked to processing plants in Dunn Siding, California, or Lathrop Wells, Nevada. For over a decade following the 1994 expansion of Death Valley to national park status, the Billie Mine was the only active mine within park boundaries, operating under rigorous National Park Service oversight to minimize surface disturbance.

Production continued into the early 2000s, but economic factors, declining demand, or resource depletion led to closure in 2005—marking the end of all mining in Death Valley National Park. In 2011, American Borate donated related patented claims (including parts of the Billie and nearby Boraxo sites) to the NPS, further securing the area’s protection.

The Billie Mine stands as a poignant reminder of Death Valley’s mining era: born from persistent exploration in a protected landscape, it bridged historic borax booms with modern environmental constraints, ultimately yielding to preservation in one of America’s most extreme and iconic wildernesses.

Doble California – San Bernardino Ghost Town

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Doble is a near-forgotten ghost town and mining site located near the dry bed of Baldwin Lake, east of Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains. It represents a later chapter in the region’s mining story, tied to the “second gold rush” of the 1870s.

In 1873–1874, brothers Barney and Charlie Carter discovered gold-bearing quartz on a hill overlooking Baldwin Lake (then part of Bear Valley). Word reached millionaire investor Elias J. “Lucky” Baldwin, a prominent figure from the Comstock Lode silver boom in Nevada. Baldwin acquired the claims, naming the site the Baldwin Mine (later Gold Mountain Mine). He invested heavily, building a 20-stamp mill in 1875 to process ore and surveying a townsite below the mine.

The town was initially called Bairdstown (possibly after an early partner or prospector) and later briefly Gold Mountain City or Bear Valley. By the mid-1870s, it boomed with saloons, hotels, restaurants, blacksmith shops, and residences—typical of Wild West mining camps. Fistfights, shootings, and a growing cemetery reflected the era’s lawlessness. A shelf road built by Chinese laborers improved access, hauling machinery through Holcomb Valley.

Despite the infrastructure, the ore proved low-grade and unprofitable. The mine and mill shut down after a few years, and the town was largely abandoned by the early 1880s. It sat dormant for about 17 years.

In the late 1890s–early 1900s, Baldwin’s son-in-law, Bud Doble (or possibly a relative/associate), reinvested, leading to a revival. A larger 40-stamp mill was constructed around 1900, and the town was renamed Doble. Operations continued intermittently into the early 20th century, with various owners attempting to extract gold. However, yields remained disappointing, and activity ceased by the mid-20th century (latest records around the 1940s).

Today, Doble is a true ghost town with scattered ruins: dilapidated wooden structures, mill foundations, tailings piles, shafts, and a small cemetery. The site is accessible via off-road trails like Holcomb Valley Road (high-clearance vehicles recommended). It’s part of the San Bernardino National Forest, popular for hiking and historical exploration, though vandalism has removed some markers over the years.

Doble Mine, San Bernardino County, 1930 - Photography by Adelbert Bartlett, UCLA Library Digital Collections
Doble Mine, San Bernardino County, 1930 – Photography by Adelbert Bartlett, UCLA Library Digital Collections

Doble Town Summary

NameDoble California
LocationBig Bear, San Bernarino, California
Also Known AsBairdstown, Gold Mountain
Latitude, Longitude34.2986169,-116.8216958
GNIS270883

History of Mining in the San Bernardino Mountains

The San Bernardino Mountains, part of the Transverse Ranges in Southern California, have a rich mining heritage primarily tied to gold, with significant activity in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Mining in this region was challenging due to rugged terrain, harsh winters with heavy snowfall, and limited water resources, yet it produced notable wealth, especially from placer and lode deposits.

Gold mining began in earnest in the 1860s, spurred by discoveries shortly after the California Gold Rush of 1849. The most prolific area was Holcomb Valley, north of modern Big Bear Lake. In May 1860, prospector William F. “Bill” Holcomb, while tracking a bear, discovered placer gold in a creek that now bears his name. This sparked Southern California’s largest gold rush, drawing thousands of miners. Holcomb Valley became the region’s top gold-producing district, yielding an estimated 350,000 troy ounces historically (valued at over $450 million in modern terms based on early 2010s prices), with potential untapped deposits.

A boomtown called Belleville quickly emerged near the discovery site, named after the first child born there. At its peak around 1861–1862, Belleville had a population of about 1,500–2,000, making it briefly the largest settlement in San Bernardino County. It featured saloons, stores, and even vied (unsuccessfully) to become the county seat. The town was notorious for its rough character—claim jumping, violence, and vigilante justice were common. Placer mining dominated initially, with miners panning streams and using sluices. By the late 1860s, as easy placer gold dwindled, operations shifted to hard-rock quartz mining, requiring stamp mills to crush ore.

Other notable mines in the mountains included the Mammoth, Olio, Pine Tree, Metzger, and Greenlead. Production peaked in the 1860s but declined rapidly due to low yields, difficult access, and environmental hardships. By 1870, most miners had left Holcomb Valley. Intermittent activity continued, including large-scale placer operations in the 1890s and dredging in the 1930s–1940s.

A “second gold rush” occurred in the 1870s around Baldwin Lake (then called Bear Valley), leading to the establishment of the town and mine discussed below. Overall, the San Bernardino Mountains’ gold era transitioned the area from mining to tourism and recreation by the early 20th century, with dams and roads built in the 1880s–1910s facilitating access to Big Bear Lake.

Today, remnants like tailings, shafts, and foundations are preserved in areas like Holcomb Valley (now a historic site with trails), but active gold mining has ceased. Modern extraction in the broader mountains focuses on industrial minerals like high-purity limestone and cement.

Doble Town Map

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