Hiking and exploring backcountry locations of the Western United States.
Jean François de Lamoignon (shortened to Jean or John Lemoigne), was a black-bearded Frenchman who differed from most of the other early Death Valley prospectors; he was a well-educated mining engineer. He came to Death Valley around 1879 to supervise the Eagle Borax Works. Unfortunately, by the time he had arrived in Death Valley, his partner who brought him out there, Isidore Daunet, had committed suicide. Lemoigne turned to prospecting.
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During the summer of 2017, we visited a few cabins and mills in Montana. We covered a lot of ground and, while tiring, it was a great trip!
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I stumbled across this remote mining prospect and cabin site in the wilds of Death Valley. I’ve looked through my books but I couldn’t find any information on this place. Judging by the debris, the cabin dates from the 1950s or earlier but I’m only guessing. Someone lived here for a while though and developed this prospect. No one has been here for a long time. I certainly didn’t see any modern trash or even any footprints.
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This is a small but interesting modern mine camp with some equipment still left on-site. The mine was probably last worked in the 1980s but the majority of the work was done during the Depression-era.
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A long hike into the Death Valley region led us to this small mining operation. Judging from the artifacts found at the site, the mine was probably worked during the 1930s Depression and WWII eras. Inside the mine is an ore car, which is always an amazing find. And seeing a working ore car in a mine is a real treat but what makes this mine site unique is the strange engine at the mine; the MacClatchie Power Unit.
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