Nestled within the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the town of Mammoth Lakes is a year-round adventure destination that boasts a little bit of everything. From hiking and fishing to boating and sightseeing, there’s no shortage of amazing activities in this town that’s completely surrounded by nature. However, one of the most unique things you can do in the area involves exploring an abandoned mining district known as the Mammoth Consolidated Mine. Loaded with rusting machinery and dilapidated wooden structures, walking through these ruins is an experience unlike any other.
The Mammoth Consolidated Gold Mine may have stopped operating nearly a century ago, but the ruins of this old mining district remain to this day. Explore them for yourself when you take on the Mammoth Consolidated Mine Trail, located near Mammoth Lake.
Silver and gold deposits were first discovered in the area on the northern slope of Red Mountain in the 1870s. As a result, the Mammoth Consolidates Gold Mine and mining camp sprang to life around 1927. It only operated for six years, but it will never be forgotten thanks to these fantastic ruins.
This long-abandoned mining camp provides those who visit it a rare glimpse into the region's past. Although the buildings and equipment that were left behind have certainly seen better days, it's amazing to think they've sat here in arrested decay for nearly a century.
Managed by the U.S. Forest Service, you'll find the ruins located within the Mammoth Lakes Basin. Visitors can explore the site by hopping on a short, 0.4-mile interpretive trail which crosses a stream and passes through the remaining bunkhouses, cabins, and abandoned equipment.
While strolling through the area, try to imagine what the camp may have looked like during its prime. Up to 14 men were employed at the site during its time, earning a humble daily wage of what would be equivalent to $75 today.
Don't miss out on peering into the camp's adit—a dark passage that led directly into the mine. You may even feel a blast of cold air since it ventilates outside air from the upper adit.
There's no better way to learn about the area's history than visiting the place where it all began. To get there, take Lake Mary Road to the Around Lake Mary Road, just above Twin Lakes. Turn into Coldwater Creek Campground and park at the day use lot at the upper end of the campground. Happy exploring!
Did you know about this abandoned mining district hiding near Mammoth Lakes? What an amazing piece of history, and it’s been hiding right in our own backyard this whole time! Share your thoughts with us on this unique hiking excursion in the comments below!
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