Keane Wonder Mine – Death Valley National Park
A very steep trail leads up the old road that once took workers to and from the famous Keane Wonder Gold Mine. Enjoy fantastic views of Death Valley, close-up views of the aerial tramway that serviced the mine and mill, and a look at gold mines and old machinery.
| Total Distance: 2.6 miles out & back | Elevation Gain: 1,512ft. (1,324ft. to 2,725ft.) |
| Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous | 0-5 Mile Difficulty: Very Strenuous |
| View Rating: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars | Author’s Rating: 5.0 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: November-April | Special Permits: None |
| Water Availability: None | Overnight Options: None |
| Trailhead Amenities: None | Crowd Factor: Moderate |
| Trailhead Access: 1.2 | |
Uses:    | Trail Surface:    |
Features:    | Hazards:   |
Mile-by-Mile: Keane Wonder Mine Trail
0.0 Keane Wonder Trailhead (1,324ft.). Follow the very steep, well-defined trail up the hillside. (36.6680000°, -116.9104500°)
0.1 Trail Junction (1,411ft.). Trails branch left, sharp left, and right. Turn right downhill to the sign near the old mill ruins, but eventually, you want the middle trail that climbs very steeply up the mountainside. If you’re ever in doubt about the trail, follow the pipe that climbs up the mountain. (36.6691984°, -116.9095183°)
0.3 Aerial Tram Tower (1,885ft.). Enjoy the towers and views across Death Valley before continuing up the still-steep trail. (36.6713610°, -116.9078874°)
0.9 Mine with door (2,450ft.). The National Park Service has barred off entry about 10ft. into the mine, so you can go inside a short distance if you want to. The trail moderates a little after the mine, with great views down into the valley below and to the aerial tramway. (36.6781333°, -116.9061667°)
1.3 Keane Wonder Area (2,725ft.). This is technically the end of the trail, but there’s a lot to explore (just make sure to respect all signs and fences and use common sense). The spools of the cable are up on the hillside to the left, a mine (barred off after about 10ft.) is located under that, and the old ore loading system for the tramway is down below to the right (use caution if you scramble down to these ruins, and follow the social trails rather than making new trails down the scree). After exploring, retrace your steps to the parking area. (36.6815167°, -116.9013167°)
History & More
A social trail continues up the mountainside toward the Keane Wonder Mine. While you’re technically allowed to take this trail, be very careful to stay out of the mine area for two reasons: 1) the National Park Service has barred off the mine entrance with a barbed-wire-topped chain-link fence (with plenty of signs about no trespassing), and 2) the mine is very unstable since the tunnel supports were mostly removed during the final days of the mine’s operation. So continue beyond the official end of the trail at your own risk and always respect the NPS’s signs, fences, and guidelines.
In 1903, Jack Keane and his friend Domingo Etcharren traveled into Death Valley to look for gold. Domingo gave up after a while, but on his way out, he discovered a vein of gold. He returned long enough to tell Jack of his find before walking back out to civilization. Jack Keane did some tests and found that the gold was not only high quality, but also easy to extract from the ground. The area was developed by Joseph DeLamar and then by Homer Wilson, who brought the mine into a profitable venture, including building the aerial tramway. By November of 1906, the mine was producing gold.
The aerial tramway was a feat of engineering, especially for its day. Ore buckets were automatically loaded with 600lb. of ore, the clutch was released, and the next ore bucket would be automatically pulled into position to be filled (the weight of the ore carried the buckets down the mountain). At the base of the tramway, the ore was dumped out and the buckets returned to the top of the mountain for more ore.
The gold ore from the Keane Wonder Mine was only partially processed on-site. The on-site 20-stamp mill could extract about 62% of the gold ore; when the cyanide plant was installed, it was able to recover 92% of the gold extracted from the mine. After being partially processed, the ore was transported to Rhyolite for final processing.
Download Trail Map
Coming soon!
Driving Directions
From Furnace Creek, take CA-190 north 10.6 miles to the junction for the Beatty Cutoff. Turn right toward Beatty. After 5.7 miles of driving north, turn right on the gravel road to the Keane Wonder Mine Trailhead 2.8 miles later.
It is extremely dangerous to enter a mine due to unstable shafts, gasses, and more. Do not enter mines, even if they are apparently open!
Walking on, climbing, entering, ascending, descending, or traversing any mine, structure, feature, or ruin is prohibited.
Toxic chemicals or ore may be present around mine sites. Enter at your own risk.
Possessing, destroying, injuring, defacing, removing, digging, or disturbing any mine, structure, feature, or ruin is also prohibited.
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
All park rules and regulations
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.)
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