Harmony Borax Works – Death Valley National Park
ADA-accessible path leads to the ruins of a very successful borax refinery that operated between 1883 and 1888.
| Total Distance: 0.4 mile lollipop loop | Elevation Gain: 71ft. (-250ft. to -216ft.) |
| Difficulty: Easy | 0-5 Mile Difficulty: Easy |
| View Rating: 3.0 out of 5.0 stars | Author’s Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars |
| Visitor Rating: (Click to rate) [Total: 0 Average: 0] | Visitor Difficulty Rating: (Click to rate) [Total: 0 Average: 0] |
| Pets: No | Horses: No |
| Best Seasons: October-May | Special Permits: None |
| Water Availability: None | Overnight Options: None |
| Trailhead Amenities: None | Crowd Factor: Crowded |
| Trailhead Access: 0.8 | |
Uses:    | Trail Surface:  |
Features:    | Hazards:    |
Mile-by-Mile: Harmony Borax Works
0.0 Harmony Borax Works Trailhead (-246ft.). Follow the trail south; after a short distance, the loop splits. This guide goes right. (36.480014°, -116.873361°)
0.1 Borax Wagons (-237ft.). Pass the wagons used to transport borax ore with the famous “20 Mule Team.” From here, the trail travels uphill to loop back around to the west. (36.479966°, -116.875404°)
0.25 Refinery (-216ft.). Read the signs explaining the borax refining process before continuing along the path to walk back down to the trailhead. Be sure to look west toward the Panamint Mountains, as the views are quite nice. (36.479748°, -116.875567°)
0.4 Harmony Borax Works Trailhead (-246ft.). (36.480014°, -116.873361°)
History & More
The Harmony Borax Works were built by William T. Coleman after he purchased the borax claims from Aaron and Rosie Winters. Borax was collected from the valley floor, then mixed with water and carbonate of soda. The borax crystallized on suspended metal rods at the refinery. The purified borax was then shipped out via the famous “20 Mule Team.” The method worked well in the fall, winter, and spring, but the scorching summer heat made the water too hot for the borax to crystallize. The Harmony Borax Works were used from 1883 to 1888, when Mr. Coleman sold his company to Francis Marion Smith.
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Driving Directions
About 0.2 miles down the Mustard Canyon Scenic Drive, 1.3 miles north of the Furnace Creek Visitor Center via CA-190.
Leave No Trace Principles are enforced
Drones and model aircrafts are prohibited
Camping is permitted only in designated sites or in areas open to dispersed backcountry camping
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12 Month Pass: $55/Death Valley Annual Pass (valid at Death Valley National Park). $80/America the Beautiful Annual Pass (valid at all national park and federal fee areas). $20/Annual Senior Pass (62 years or older US citizens; valid at all national park and federal fee areas). Free/4th Grade Pass (Valid Sept. 1-August 31 of the child’s 4th Grade school year). Free/Military Pass (valid for all active military personel and their dependents with a CAC Card or DD Form 1173).
Lifetime Pass: $80/Lifetime Senior Pass (62 years or older US citizens; valid at all national park and federal fee areas). Free/Access Pass (available to all US citizens with perminent disabilities). Free/Access for Veterans and Gold Star Families Pass (valid for all military and veterans with a CAC card, Veteran HJealth Identification Card, Veteran ID Card, or veteran’s designation on state-issued drivers license or identification card.)