Epic Travel → North America → The West Coast → Northern California → Death Valley → Keane Wonder Mill 

Location: Beatty Junction area, Death Valley

Time Required: 30 minutes

Red Tape/Notes: Access to Death Valley is $25/vehicle for a 7 day pass. Trailhead access is at the end of a 3 mile dirt road, which (as of early 2018) was quite reasonable, even for low clearance vehicles; the site is clearly marked on the Death Valley visitor maps, although as of 2018 the map still shows the area as closed (it reopened in late 2017)

What’s Nearby?: Keane Wonder Mine, Keane Canyon, Titus Canyon, Leadfield Ghost Town

If you can’t make the hike out to the Keane Wonder Mine site (which is recommended), it’s still worth it to stop at the mill site (which also includes the terminus of the aerial tramway), which is located a short distance up the hill from the parking area. The mill and tramway ruins have been well preserved and are worth a look, and exploring the surrounding area will reveal the ruins of several other buildings, various (closed off) mine shafts and lots of cool discarded mining equipment. Funny how old trash somehow becomes scenic and fascinating if you wait long enough. You can also hike up to the first tramway tower for a nice view (or just keep going up the trail to the mine site) – we took a fun little use trail behind the mill structure, but you could also use the trail like a normal person.

Epic Travel → North America → The West Coast → Northern California → Death Valley → Keane Wonder Mill